Entrepreneur Buddy Walsh’s battle with gum disease led him to an unexpected business opportunity. After learning that one in two people in the UK suffers from gum disease, he saw an opportunity to both address a health crisis and fill a gap in the market.
In 2019, Walsh founded Ordo Life, a sonic toothbrush startup dedicated to making high-quality oral care more affordable. With an impressive annual growth rate of 121.6%, Ordo is currently ranked 37th on The Sunday Times’ list of the 100 fastest-growing private companies.
“Everyone should use an electric toothbrush,” Walsh says. However, high-end models often cost over £200, making them prohibitive for many. Ordo’s solution: offering top-tier sonic technology at an affordable price, with models ranging from £35 to £70.
The company has grown rapidly, currently producing 3 million toothbrushes annually and projecting a turnover of £25 million this year. Ordo’s products are sold throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East, and it recently expanded into the US.
The company, initially invested by Walsh and his partners with £200,000, has previously avoided external financing but is considering invoice financing to support its US operations.
Despite offers of a sale or external investment, Walsh remains committed to retaining control of Ordo and ensuring its mission continues.
Outside of work, Walsh enjoys open water swimming and spending time with his German Shepherd, Blue. But it is Ordo’s success that drives him.
“I’m determined to build it into one of the world’s largest personal care appliance brands,” he says, setting a target of £100 million in turnover within three years.
