Medicine Man

“I was like a mad scientist in my kitchen as I combined count- less natural healing agents and moisturizers,” says Dan Gos- ling of his process for creating a healing lip balm for musicians. (Image by Pete Gosling)

When self-described “trumpet for hire” Dan Gosling, ’84 FAA, ended his contract-position chair with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) in 2004, he needed a quick career pivot. “Luckily, I like to start things,” he says.

That would include Gosling’s Original ChopSaver Lip Care, which has reached six-figure sales annually, mainly through word-of-mouth and social media marketing.

What was your “a-ha moment?” A friend and I were talking about our “chops,” as trumpet players often do. Out of the blue, he mentioned arnica, an extract from a herbaceous plant in the sunflower family that is prized for its ability to lessen bruising and inflammation. He’d had success with it treating a bruised lip caused by a marching band injury. The idea stuck with me, and I wanted to include it in this product I was envisioning.

How  did you arrive at your formula? I was like a mad scientist in my kitchen as I combined countless natural healing agents. My first attempts were horrible and my wife [a violinist with the ISO] thought I was going through a mid-life crisis. But I knew I was collaborating with Mother Nature. Joining arnica in the 100 percent natural mix are oils from apricot kernels, avocados, citrus, ginger and grapeseed, as well as mango and shea butters, aloe vera, comfrey, raspberry leaves, white willow and castor oil. I have no problem with formula transparency. It’s nearly impossible to replicate without my hard-earned know-how.

Does music still factor into the mix? I play trumpet in online ads that I produce on my cellphone. Our marketing is a low-key, family affair. For example, the ChopSaver website (chopsaver.com) was developed with my son Anthony, a Chicago-based graphic designer.