Beautiful young entrepreneur Jacqui Rosshandler turned an idea she had (while recovering from a hangover one New Year’s Day no less) into a reality and a career. She makes and sells a product that is fast becoming the ultimate "must–have" purse item.

Claim to fame:

CEO and co-founder of Jacquean Products LLC, the maker of eatwhatever breath fresheners. Eatwhatever breath fresheners are the antidote to bad breath and work in two steps to give you kissable breath:

• 1. A vegan gel cap containing organic oils that, when swallowed, provide long lasting freshness from within.
• 2. A little white mint to suck on that provides instant freshness in the mouth whilst the gel caps dissolve in your stomach.

All in a day’s work:

Everything from marketing, sales and product development to drumming up press and accounting!

First job:

My first part–time job was a shoe salesperson. My first “real” job was office manager to the Minister for Aging in Australia’s Parliament House (like Capitol Hill but in Canberra).

Career high:

Waking up to thousands of sales and queries after eatwhatever was featured in Daily Candy. Also, knowing these little gems have become the best kept secret of celebrities; Zoey Deschanel and Mo’Nique are known to be fans. The cast of Gossip Girl have them on set at all times and Carson Kresley, Rose Perez, Sean Penn and Jennifer Jason Lee have all been spotted with eatwhatever in their hands. The product has received great press and has been featured in Daily Candy, The Luxury Spot, The Daily ‘Page 6,’ Splendora.com, Fox Business.com…and more.

Career low:

Anytime a retailer or distributor says “No.”

Inspiration:

In business, Richard Branson first and foremost, but any entrepreneur who believes in themselves enough to ignore negativity and keep striving towards their goal. It’s incredible how many people hear “no” and just keep going. David Frost (of the play and film Frost/Nixon) showed this belief in himself despite the world laughing at him. That’s inspiring. As are the millions of people around the world who overcome adversity and make their dreams come true. My husband’s grandmother went through various concentration camps during the Holocaust and lost all her family but still has a passion for and love of life that I find unbelievable for someone who suffered so much.

Ultimate goal:

To make eatwhatever the Kleenex of breath fresheners. I want everyone to feel comfortable eating garlic bread on a date knowing that they can take eatwhatever afterwards and have perfectly kissable breath.

Guiltiest pleasure:

In summer, lying in the sun all day (even though I’ll end up wrinkly and horrid one day). In winter, staying in bed all morning with my husband and the Sunday paper.

Personal motto:

Failure is not an option.

Advice for other entrepreneurs:

Talk to everyone and don’t be ashamed to promote your product or service. If you don’t, who will?

How ASW has helped:

I met my fantastic package designer, Lara Shukri, on ASW after posting a thread. I have also made other great contacts through the site.

Interview and article are from A Small Magazine.

Originally posted on June 19th, 2009.