"Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life”
- Dolly Parton
CEO’S CORNER
Work-life balance is a topic we hear about constantly. How do we dedicate enough time to our careers without sacrificing our personal lives?
As an engineer, I tend to think about things literally. When I picture balance, I visualize a balance scale. If you dump all the weight onto one side, the scale tips completely out of balance. If you try to fix it by throwing weight onto the other side, you usually just flip the imbalance back and forth.
What if we approached it differently? (If you recall a previous newsletter, Forward Science was born by thinking differently about problems and solutions.) To maintain true balance, you don't keep swinging weight from side to side—you build both sides up evenly, keeping the scale level all along.
The traditional 9-to-5 model treats work and life like an oscillating scale. You work intensely for eight hours (scale tips heavy one way), unplug completely for a few hours (scale tips the other way), and repeat the cycle until Friday night (balance completely off).
We prefer a different approach: Work-Life Integration.
Instead of searching for a life with a good work-life balance, what if you chose work that integrates seamlessly with your life? A role that feels less like a traditional "job" and more like a purpose.
That is how Forward Science was built, and it’s how we operate today. We won't get mad if you're an hour late, but we will be disappointed if you miss your kid's Kindergarten play. When you join Forward Science, you aren't just taking a job—you become part of a family working together toward a common goal: to change lives.
A decade ago, Brian and I set out to build a company we didn't need a vacation from. We didn't want to dread Monday mornings, stare at the clock, or miss our kids' plays and games. What we didn't realize at the time was that the environment we were building for ourselves would become the culture for everyone at Forward Science.
We commit to ONE life, ONE work, ONE balance, and ONE mission: To Change Lives.
So, what does living that "ONE life" look like day-to-day? For me, it's about doing it all (or at least trying to):
Family First: My wife and I handle morning drop-offs and afternoon pick-ups together. Afternoons and evenings are dedicated to our three boys, sports, and family dinners.
Flexible Execution: Important calls happen on the drive to practices, and focused computer work happens after the kids go to bed. (I’m even writing this draft on the beach while my family plays nearby—sand and laptops aren't ideal, but it works!)
Smart Travel: During summer family trips, we find local partners along the route to meet with, blending business growth with personal time.
Every role is different—some offer complete flexibility in time and location, while others require set hours. But regardless of the position, our shared mindset remains the same: work hard, show up for family when called upon, and GSD (Get Stuff Done).
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
Work-life integration isn't just about how we work. It's also about creating products that fit into real life.
SalivaMAX® was developed to support individuals experiencing dry mouth with an easy-to-use oral care solution that can become part of their everyday routine.
Why SalivaMAX®?
✔ Designed to help moisturize and lubricate the oral cavity
✔ Available as a convenient oral powder
✔ Can be incorporated into daily routines
✔ Designed with patient comfort and usability in mind
Because oral care doesn't stop when the workday ends. The products we create are designed to fit into the lives of the people who use them—at home, at work, and everywhere in between.
Better products should make life easier, not more complicated.
FORWARD TALENT
As your recruiting partner, we’re rooting for you—but sometimes you make our job harder than it needs to be. Here are three things we wish every client understood:
Be Transparent About Budget: Hiding the salary range wastes everyone’s time. If the budget is below market, tell us so we can sell the role’s growth and value.
Give Fast Feedback: Great candidates move quickly. Waiting a week to make a decision could mean losing them. Aim to provide feedback within 24 hours.
Make the Job Description Sell: Your posting should market the opportunity, not just list responsibilities. If it feels dry and demanding, the right candidates may scroll right past it.
We’re partners, not magicians. Give us the information and authority to move quickly, and we’ll help you find the right talent.
MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND FORWARD SCIENCE
Ermias Gezachew | Lead Manufacturing Technical Associate
When he’s not running between the warehouse and manufacturing room, you’ll find him constantly troubleshooting and finding new ways to improve processes. Ermias Gazechew is our Lead Manufacturing Technical Associate, and has been for the past two years. In his time, he has played a heavy hand in the scaling manufacturing of PerioStom. With a background in medtech, his propensity for engineering and product development led him to become a key player in its production.
When asked what motivates him, Gazechew earnestly detailed that seeing the results pushes him to continue his work. Taking the Periostom’s unit number from 500 a day to now reaching 2000 is just one of the macro impacts he makes at Forward Science. “Production is teamwork,” he states, “I try to motivate [everybody], and bring positivity to the work place.” Always willing to say a quick, “Hello,” or “What’s up”, his friendly demeanor ensures no man is left behind and that each team member is heard. Gazechew values this aspect of work and prides himself on being available to his team, addressing each concern with a palatable patience so that they can continue doing what they do best, making quality products.
His positive attitude and proactive approach has landed him opportunities beyond the scope of his role. Gazechew remarked that he held quite the interest in data analysis and enjoys drafting Key Performance Results reports and brainstorming solutions to daily hurdles. If you’ve noticed QR codes posted around the warehouse and lab spaces, you can thank Ermias for implementing this innovative but reliable technique. He credits Brian Pikkula for his pioneering spirit, adopting his unique understanding of bioengineering and perspective on operations to lead by example. Ermias’s dedication to growth and his team resounds in the way he talks to everyone he encounters and the hours he spends improving processes.
Thank you Ermias for your hard work!
How we Think, Teach, Market, and Lead with Purpose.
THE FS WAY
CORE VALUES SPOTLIGHT
ONE life. ONE work. ONE balance.
ONE mission: To Change Lives.
Work isn't separate from who we are. It's one part of a much bigger life.
At Forward Science, we're committed to working hard, supporting one another,
and getting things done—but we're also committed to being there for the moments that matter outside of work.
The goal isn't to choose between a successful career and a fulfilling life. It's to build a culture where you can pursue both.
MARKETING MATTERS
From Idea to Impact
Some of the best ideas happen when different perspectives come together.
At Forward Science, our vertically integrated model connects R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, Marketing, Sales, and Operations—bringing different teams together to move an idea from concept to solution.
It's a reminder that great work isn't done in isolation. When we work together, share knowledge, and support one another, we can create something bigger than any one team could do alone.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
We don’t just sell products — we educate clinicians how to change outcomes.
Our online CE sessions and live Q&As
are designed to make learning simple,
practical, and impactful.
Because informed clinicians changes
lives.
WHAT’S NEW AT FS?
We're excited to announce an exclusive distribution partnership with Premier Dental Products Company to expand access to PerioStōm® across the United States.
Through this collaboration, Premier will serve as the exclusive distributor of PerioStōm®, helping bring this FDA-cleared, non-drug oral wound dressing to dental professionals nationwide.
Together, Forward Science and Premier are working to expand access to innovative periodontal care and help bring new solutions to more clinicians, practices, and patients across the country.
We’d love to know what matters most to you. Let us know what topics you’d like us to cover — the challenges you’re navigating, trends you’re curious about, or ideas you want to explore.
Until next time,
World Headquarters