My Bui is the founder of Splashy, a company creating a portable and collapsible bidet. She is studying finance and operations and supply chain and started developing the product in the Lassonde+X program at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business.
The idea came from personal experience. A native of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Bui was accustomed to using a bidet and didn’t see toilet paper used regularly before moving to the United States. She had the idea for Splashy as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to toilet paper.
“I spent my whole life using a bidet,” Bui said. “When I first came here, I thought toilet paper wasn’t as clean or cost-effective and is bad for the environment.”
The product is similar to a fixed bidet but is portable and includes a drying function. One side of the product holds water, and the other is filled with air. The user squeezes one side to clean and the other to dry. The water pressure is based on the force of the users’ hands and is easily adjustable. Splashy is also collapsible and has different-sized nozzles for comfort.
The Lassonde+X program has been pivotal in helping Bui overcome the challenges of starting a business. The three-course program allows students to learn the entrepreneurial mindset and add entrepreneurship to any major.
“Entrepreneurship is not in my blood,” she said. “Back home, not many people have hope in startups. My first entrepreneurship class helped me be more comfortable with myself and not have that feeling of failure.”
Though not common in the United States, similar products exist. Bui is working to find new ways to make her product unique to compete with existing companies. She is creating a new prototype and packaging that is more discreet and comfortable to carry. In the meantime, she plans to learn as much as she can about entrepreneurship and use that knowledge to grow her company.
“I am still learning a lot about business concepts,” Bui said. “Getting my knowledge equipped before launching my startup is important. I’m not a very risky person, so I want to do everything very carefully.”
