Smart50 rank: 39
Revenue: $1.9 million
Growth: 32.17%
Founders: Geoffrey Speiser, 52
Based: New South Wales
Employees: Five
Industry: Health and community services
Website: www.breezecare.com

Winner:
Optus Hottest Start-up Award

A boutique product range and smart sales strategy has helped Australian business BreezeCare manage to forge a lucrative niche for itself in the global toothpaste and mouthwash market.

BreezeCare's founder, dentist Geoffrey Speiser (pictured), saw that research-backed anti-halitosis products and a low-cost internet sales model could allow the business to prosper in an industry dominated by a few big players.

The business has a classic local/global strategy, with products sold around the world via the internet and personal consultations provided on the ground through franchises.

After some initial hiccups - early success in the US was snuffed out after the manufacturer decided it wanted the market to itself - the company has achieved 32.1% revenue growth in 2007-08 to $1.9 million, up from $1.3 million in 2006-07.

Having asserted greater control over its manufacturing, diagnostic equipment, marketing and advertising, the business is now well placed to expand a budding franchise network across Australian and into South East Asia.