Rita Toth, founder of SkinGreat. Courtesy photo.
Like many new mothers, Rita Toth was greeted with unwanted post-pregnancy stretch marks that nothing on the market seemed to heal. After years of trying creams, oils and lotions, Toth decided to use her experience and connections in brand management to find a solution. She formed SkinGreat in Laconia and developed the StretchPatch, a patch with ingredients aimed at healing stretch marks and scars that heats up to deliver those ingredients to a deeper layer of the skin “by increasing circulation and opening of the pores.” StretchPatch is gaining traction on Amazon and big box chains, Toth says.
Originally from Hungary, Toth previously worked for Procter & Gamble overseeing brand management in nine countries. When personal struggles left her homeless in 2012, she sought a fresh start in the United States and eventually settled in the Lakes Region.
Toth found her footing quickly and now oversees U.S. brand management for an international company while pursuing a master’s degree in management from Harvard University.
Toth also launched SkinGreat in 2013 and connected with colleagues working in product development and biochemistry. She invested $20,000 in developing the final prototype of the StretchPatch, an 8-inch by 5-inch, lotion-infused, self-adhesive patch that can be worn up to 12 hours at a time.
The patch is manufactured in North Carolina and sells in boxes of seven patches, costing $38.99 for the mild and original formula, $42.99 for the high potency formula and $45.99 for extra large patches.
“I’m the kind of person who never sits still, and I saw this as a good exercise,” says Toth. “This was something I could do for myself while also helping women who had the same problem.” The StretchPatch was released for sale on Amazon in January and has sold more than 1,000 units to date. If these figures continue on their current trajectory, Toth projects selling 27,000 units over the next two years, surpassing $1 million in sales. She anticipates a boost in these numbers due to a recent partnership with Walmart, which will carry the StretchPatch on its website. Additionally, Toth is in talks to reach similar arrangements with other large retailers, including HSN, Sam’s Club and Ulta Beauty.
A representative from the TV show “Shark Tank” contacted Toth as part of an effort to bring more New England entrepreneurs on the show. After applying, Toth was told she would appear in a future season, as there were too many applicants in the beauty category appearing in the next season.
Despite her initial success, Toth admits there were a number of challenges to starting her own business. She speaks highly of the help she received from SCORE mentors in the Lakes Region, specifically Walter Daub and Leo Glasheen. Their guidance has been invaluable, Toth says.
Looking forward, Toth is focusing on promotion efforts, something she hopes one of the Sharks on “Shark Tank” will help fund if she is able to secure their investment. She aims to continue growing her revenue so she can hire two to five employees for marketing and sales within the next year. For more information, visit thestretchpatch.com.
Current Issue - May 2024