Sonia Hounsell

Sonia Hounsell is the Co-Founder & Co-CEO of FunkkOFF!® Inc., lifestyle brand company that is disrupting the personal and oral care category with innovation. In July 2021, FunkkOFF! launched their flagship patented product FunkkOFF! TeethRefreshers® the 1st and only two-in-one toothbrush and toothpaste that’s reusable to keep your teeth white and fresh on-the-go. In February 2023, Sonia appeared on Shark Tank and received a deal from Robert Herjavec.

FunkkOFF! has won a number of awards including the International Grand Prix Du Design Award for Consumer Products, a Gold Stevie® Award for Women in Business Start-up of the Year and a Silver Stevie® Award for International for Start-up of the Year. The brand has also been recognized for its unique innovation by leading press including NBC News, Travel & Leisure, Los Angeles Times, SHAPE, Real Simple and Essence, among others.

Sonia has 30 years of professional experience in Brand Marketing & Entrepreneurship including leadership roles in Consumer Packaged Goods, Consumer Healthcare, McKinsey & Co., and Venture Capital. Sonia has also been recognized and awarded with a Gold Effie for Stride® Gum Launch Advertising Campaign, named Advertising Age “Marketing 50” and was a Media Post (OMMA) Online Media, Marketing & Advertising) Winner for Advertising Creativity.

Sonia’s undergraduate degree is in Finance from Boston College Carroll School of Management and has a MBA from University of Virginia Darden School of Business. In addition, she has studied at Harvard Business School including Executive Education in Venture Capital and Private Equity.

Sonia is currently on the Board of the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) which support Women Entrepreneurs. She is also on the Alumni Board of UVA Darden Business School and an active volunteer at her high school alma mater, Holy Child. She supports her community on the Board of the Rye Arts Center in Rye, NY where she lives with her husband, 19-year old twins and 7-year old Black Lab.