EZ Teether: Jeevan Boyal

Name: Jeevan Boyal
Company name: EZ Teether
Location: East Midlands
Date launched: 01/10/2016
Twitter handle: @ezteether
Website: ezteether.com

Tell us what your business does:

The EZ teether is the world’s first teething device designed to ease and alleviate wisdom tooth pain. Providing a resistant rubber surface to massage inflamed gums as the wisdom teeth cut through the gums.

As well as massaging action, the EZ teether helps to stimulate saliva production. Saliva contains antibodies, which can help to fight bad bacteria and also helps to wash away any accumulated food debris and bacteria that can lead to infection.

Where did the idea for your business come from?

Having had my own wisdom teeth come through at the age of 19, I realised there was little in the way of relief from the agonising pain. Then I was walking home one day when I spotted a baby in a buggy with a teether in his mouth, which inspired me to design the EZ teether.

How did you know there was a market for it?

As a current dental student we regularly see patients with wisdom teething pain. Furthermore, I undertook extensive research to determine the approximate size of the market and whether there was a demand for a solution.

What were you doing before starting up?

I am currently combining full time studies as a dental student with the EZ teether. Dentistry is a profession that I love and the ability to help multiple patients across the country, rather than just my patients I can physically see each day, was a major factor in me launching the EZ teether.

Have you always wanted to run your own business?

Yes for sure! From my early teenage years, I have had various ideas for businesses but until now I have never been in a position to turn those ideas into a reality.

How did you raise the money?

The initial design drawings were undertaken with my student loans (yes I missed lots of nights out, but it’s been 100% worth it).

After those initial drawings, I had a tangible idea that I was able to take to family and friends who have provided me with backing and financial support, which I will be eternally grateful for

Describe your business model and how you make money:

At the moment the EZ teether is available through our website ezteether.com and I am currently working on getting EZ teether stocked on the high street

What challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them?

There have been a few hurdles to overcome but the biggest was our initial design company going bankrupt without sending us our final designs.

Having spent time and money perfecting our product adapting to the variations for the human anatomy losing these designs was galling. However, after a six-month delay and a new design company I believe the EZ teether is better than ever.

What was your first big breakthrough?

My first big breakthrough was receiving the appearance model of the EZ teether. Being able to hold and use what was initially an idea as a physical product signified the end of the design journey and the start of a new chapter in EZ teether – getting it into the hands of the public.

What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?

I encourage those with an idea to do your research and ensure there is a demand for your business and make sure you have a plan to reach your goals.

Additionally, for a young entrepreneur like myself, I would advise initially speaking to people over the phone where people can’t tell your age. Once or twice people have dismissed me due to appearing too young to know what I am talking about.

Where do you want to be in five years’ time?

My ambition is for the EZ teether to be synonymous with wisdom pain relief worldwide. I hope to have taken on investment to develop a range of associated products that I have in the pipeline and of course to have graduated as a dentist.