Did you know that one in three children in their first year of life get some degree of flaking, redness, scaling, and irritation of the scalp and skin? These bothersome symptoms are known as seborrheic dermatitis, and pediatrician Dr. Eddie out of Houston, Texas has come up with a easy shampoo solution to help!
Dr. Eddie has used his years of experience to develop an over the counter pediatric solution for children’s dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, also known as “cradle cap.” His medicated and affortable shampoo, Happy Cappy (www.happycappyshampoo.com), has taken the children’s medicated shampoo industry by storm and is available here in NYC at Cedra Pharmacy and everywhere on Amazon.com.
The Levity Ball sat down with Dr. Eddie himself to learn more about how he went from being a top pediatrician to a top entrepreneur helping parents across America…
1. To start off: When did you first know that you wanted to get into the medical field and into pediatrics?
My mom is a nurse and my dad practices family medicine. I spent my elementary years in my dad’s office throwing away expired samples and filing charts. As a teenager I cleaned my dad’s x-ray developer and in college I started shadowing my dad seeing patients. I learned basic principles of taking care of patients from seeing him directly and listened for years at the dinner table while my mom talked about the ups and downs of life in the hospital. The seed was planted.
2. At what point while being a pediatrician did you decide to branch off and be an entrepreneur and come up with Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo?
I always had jobs selling things. I have had many many jobs…. some being Gap Kids, Smoothie King, as a waiter for Carrabba’s, and selling telephone service (Afford-A-Phone) great name huh….door to door and selling Cutco knives. I have always liked sales and dealing with people. Great jobs to have before becoming a primary care doctor. I grew tired of parental skepticism when I would follow the recommendation of my trade which is to use an adult dandruff shampoo like Head and Shoulders or Selsun Blue for infants with seborrheic dermatitis. Many people refer to seborrheic dermatitis as “cradle cap.” 30 to 40% of one year olds have this scaly, flaky, and red condition! I realized I could do better and came up with a solution. After only 4 short years, Happy Cappy was born!
3. Why the name “Happy Cappy”?
We wanted a fun name that also conveyed the location of where the product would be used—your dome piece—your cappy (head).
4. What do you believe really sets your product a part from others in the marketplace?
No product presently exists like Dr. Eddie’s Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo. Happy Cappy is the first OTC (Over The Counter) shampoo made specifically for children with an FDA approved active ingredient, pyrithione zinc, which has been proven safe and effective for many decades and when used as directed actually helps control and prevent recurrence of scalp flaking, scaling redness and itching associated with seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff. The shampoo also contains Licorice Root Extract, a natural ingredient, which soothes redness. Our clinically tested, fragrance free shampoo has been formulated for use on the youngest most sensitive scalps and skin. Our sleek modern bottle is also appealing while it rests on your bathtub. Our shampoo is meant for sensitive skin and has been quite popular with adults as well.
5. You are currently in Texas, but did your pediatric residency in Los Angeles… what about us here in New York? Ever come to town? If so, where are some of your favorite spots to hang, eat, etc.?
Sorry my friend… I have got to get to NYC ASAP! I have so many good friends and always have a blast there when I visit. I have been known to leave swanky establishments there late at night and then acting like a hip-hop legend and rapping about medical ointments like Neosporin. (True story)
6. When you are not working at your offices or promoting your new product, what kind of things do you like to do?
I love eating great cuisines from different countries… Houston offers a wealth of choices. When I get home I play with my two year old daughter who loves talking about “bubbles” and saying “poopy.” When we can, I love traveling abroad with my wife or visiting friends all over the country. Our last trip was to London. Super fun. Gotta get out to New York again asap though!
7. What is the best advice you have ever been given when it comes to business?
Some highlights that come to mind taught to me by friends “ABC”— Always Be Closing. And “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.” I also always live by the Golden Rule of do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
8. Where can people go and buy your products right now?
Locally in Manhattan we are at Cedra Pharmacy… a great boutique pharmacy with two locations in New York City. We have also been very lucky to have had great success on Amazon.com thus far.
9. What does the future hold for Happy Cappy?
We have a new high end daily use body wash and shampoo that will compete with high end brands like Cetaphil, Cera Ve, Neutrogena and Aveeno. It has a luxurious lather and leaves skin super soft and replenishes moisture with Licorice Root Extract, Oatmeal and Aloe Vera.
10. And final question: What would you want Happy Cappy and yourself to be remembered for in years down the road when people look back at everything you / the product stand for?
Great question! I would like people to say this Dr. Eddie fella took on a common problem and improved the quality of kids and their parents lives one scalp at a time.
