Flossing to Success: How Samantha Coxe Revolutionized Dental Care with Flaus

In Season 3, Episode 8 of Turning Pro, Ben Sharf, and Adrian Alfieri sit down with Samantha Coxe, founder and CEO of Flaus, a company redefining dental care. Samantha shares how she left the high-stakes world of corporate law to tackle a universal problem: flossing. Her pivot wasn’t just bold; it was inspired by a simple dental appointment that revealed a massive market gap.

Samantha discusses the highs and lows of startup life, from raising $4M (including $2M from friends and family) to navigating a 20% product defect rate. Along the way, she shares her experience on Shark Tank, where her persistence and data-driven approach secured a deal with Candace Nelson.

This episode unpacks the reality of scaling a business, the mental toll of entrepreneurship, and Samantha’s passion for serving underserved communities, including seniors and those with disabilities.

Listen to Season 3, Episode 8, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.

10 Key Lessons from Samantha Coxe

1.  Find Inspiration in the Everyday: Samantha's idea for Flaus came from her own frustration with flossing, a reminder that the best ideas often solve personal pain points.

2. Persistence Wins Every Time: Whether it was cold-emailing Mark Cuban or tackling Shark Tank, Samantha’s determination opened doors that seemed closed.

3. Your First Customers Shape Your Brand: Transparent communication during Flaus' early product defects built trust with loyal customers, even during setbacks.

4. Embrace Data Over Ego: Samantha let customer insights reshape Flaus’ target market, pivoting to include accessibility communities and older demographics.

5. Small Teams, Big Impact: Samantha learned to prioritize and stay laser-focused by running a company with just two people.

6. Perseverance Is Non-Negotiable: While a 20% product defect rate would sink most startups, Samantha's problem-solving mindset turned it into a learning opportunity.

7. Pitch Perfect: Her Shark Tank success highlights the importance of preparation, clarity, and adaptability under pressure.

8. Leverage Untapped Markets: Flaus didn’t just cater to tech-savvy Millennials; it also found a loyal audience among seniors and people with disabilities.

9. Mental Health Matters: Samantha candidly shared her struggles with anxiety, underscoring the need for self-care in the founder journey.

10. Celebrate the Wins, Big or Small: While Samantha admits she struggles with celebrating victories, she’s learning to appreciate milestones in a long entrepreneurial journey.

Samantha Coxe’s story is a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and relentless pursuit of a vision. Whether tackling flossing for underserved communities or securing a Shark Tank deal, her journey proves that true success comes from embracing challenges and staying committed to your mission.

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