R. Adam Lee
Inventor
The origin of the GumTab started in 1993 while Adam was working as a busboy at a local restaurant during high school.
After hours of cleaning gum from under the tables, digging gum out the dishwater drain from being stuck to the bottom of dishes, replacing vacuum brushes, using a steel brush on the concrete and tossing countless linen napkins into the trash - he knew there had to be a better solution for gum disposal.
Over the years he made small attempts to bring this idea to life. Starting a new family, lack of money and timing just never worked out.
Over the last 28 years Adam has eaten at thousands of restaurants and has never seen a solution.
Last year - he pitched the idea to Brent Pugh (third time) and said, "I am doing this - I know it will work. Are you in?"
Brent A. Pugh
Co-Inventor
Brent heard of Adam's GumTab in 2006 which led to several discussions over the years of this "crazy idea" working. The planting of the idea led Brent to pay extra attention to current business needs and potential improvements to the basic use of reducing labor and material costs.
During the last pitch and ensuing agreement to rock this business. The addition of a natural enzyme to accelerate the breakdown process of chewing gum was put on the whiteboard.
Initial tests were done in Adam's backyard but soon turned into a makeshift lab in Brent's basement where week's of tests were performed. These tests eventually led to blind tests at a local university which confirmed our theory.
Brent said, "I am in, I know this will work."
