#17: Eczema Solutions with Dr. Walt

🌿 Discover the Natural Path to Clear, Healthy Skin! 🌱

Join Dr. Walt and me on the ECO MAMA Podcast, where we delve into eczema and uncover ways to alleviate skin discomfort naturally. Our episode is filled with valuable insights, ranging from eco-friendly remedies to sustainable practices, along with professional suggestions to help you attain the desirable days of itch-free bliss you've longed for. 🔬

We can't wait to have you in our friendly conversation! Tune in now and let nature restore your skin's harmony! ✨

We also get the inside scoop into his small business and the passions that led him to create clean ingredients and safe products for people and the planet.

To learn more about Dr. Walt and his amazing products, visit drwalts.co or connect with him directly on IG @drwaltsco.

We've also got more about eczema in our latest blog post. You can find it here on the Eco Mama Blog: https://ecocratesofamerica.com/eczema-part-1-causes-symptoms-alternative-treatments/.

https://www.ecocratesofamerica.com
https://www.pinterest.com/ecocratesofamerica

DISCLAIMER:
Thank you for listening to the Eco Mama podcast. Please note that this podcast's information is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is based on personal experiences and opinions. We are not licensed healthcare providers; the content should not be considered professional medical advice.

We encourage you to consult a healthcare provider before changing your diet, exercise routine, or lifestyle. The information shared on this podcast is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Furthermore, any views or opinions expressed on this podcast are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual. The content is intended to be informative and enjoyable.

By listening to this podcast, you agree that the hosts, guests, or anyone associated with the Eco Mama podcast will not be held liable for any loss, damage, or injury caused or alleged to be caused by the information or opinions shared on this podcast.

Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to continuing to share our journey toward a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle with you.

Transcript

Jaime Snell: 0:51

Good morning and welcome back to the ECO Mama Podcast. I am super excited today to introduce you to Dr. Walter Lee. He's also known as Dr. Walt by our community. I met him a couple months ago through the Village launch. It's an entrepreneurial support initiative in Greenville, South Carolina that equips entrepreneurs to become providers, creators, and producers in their communities. Dr. Walt's entrepreneurial's initiatives inspired me from the first time he introduced his business, Dr. Walt's Company, Dr. Walt's Company, believes in helping its customers incorporate natural and organic plant-based products into their self-care routines. His custom curated blends are made in small batches and deliver amazing results without toxic chemicals. The journey began over five years ago when he explored a simple solution for his personal needs. And has evolved into a thriving business today. His mission alone speaks to my love language, and I'm so grateful to have him here to share it with you today. But before we dig deeper into his passion for natural skincare, I've gotta brag a little bit about another passion of his education, equally impressive to his entrepreneurial journey. Dr. Walt is a renowned educator with over two decades of experience serving the education industry. He studied at Clemson University, earning his master's in education as an education specialist and his doctorate in philosophy. He is currently an assistant professor at the University of South Carolina Upstate. Join me in welcoming Dr. Walt.

Dr. Walt: 2:27

Thank you for having me, Jaime.

Jaime Snell: 2:30

Thanks for being here. I'm super excited for you to share with us today about your journey and your passions.

Dr. Walt: 2:35

Yes, yes, yes. It's certainly been a rocky, interesting and amazing five years.

Jaime Snell: 2:44

Wonderful. So before we dig too deep into, the main reason I have you here to share with audience today, I have to know like between your education, which has been a long journey and your your day job of inspiring others and your entrepreneurial efforts, how do you get it all done? How do you fit time in for everything?

Dr. Walt: 3:03

Well, I think one of the ways that I get it done currently is through my, and I just posted about it on LinkedIn, my to-do list. I keep a journal book, I keep a to-do list that is running every day. And on Sunday afternoons or Sunday evening, I'll sit down for about an hour, look through my emails, look through my calendar, and I create like, on this, again, it's a journal book. It's. It's not like a planner type calendar. And I write down each day of the week everything that needs to be done for that week. And then as I go along, I'll cross out things that are done. I'll x out things that are canceled, and I'll circle things that I didn't get done one day that is a priority for the next day. Now I know that there are apps such as, Google Keep. I think that's what it is. And then Monday, but for some reason, Just having my hand to a pen, and being able to do it this way is helpful and no worries. I put it in my digital calendar as well, and so the two of them are in sync with each other, so that's one of the main ways that I kind of keep track of everything that I have to do.

Jaime Snell: 4:06

Yeah, you definitely have a full plate that, that's amazing though. So organization is key for you, and that's wonderful that you have a system that works for you. I think also with your journey in education, you know the benefit of putting pen to paper, it helps stick in our minds so much more. Talk to me about your inspiration in getting into the skincare industry. It wasn't, didn't even start as to start a business, right?

Dr. Walt: 4:27

I was looking for a solution for a personal problem. Now let me be clear. When I first started it was Impactful Enterprises. I was in my doctoral program at Clemson and I was, at the time, I was like, let me make a few extra dollars. I knew how to write resumes and I got some results. So I started resume writing and I called it Impactful Enterprises. And I wanted to be inspirational along the way cuz not everyone needed a resume. So I was selling like motivational apparel with one of my, My renowned quotes, I guess as people would call it, chase your dreams until your dreams get tired of running. I sold those shirts for years. I love that saying. And, that was my way of sustaining, myself financially through the doctoral program. Of course, I had a part-time job, but those are just some things that I could do. In my downtime without, you know, the, the perimeters of hours, you know, from working from 10 until two or 10 until three. I could do that in between as I wanted to. So, I had the liberty, the autonomy, if you will. And during the writing process of the dissertation, I ended up with adult eczema. And I got curious one day I was looking at YouTube videos like, what can I do with eczema? Cause you know, YouTube is a whole university with no certifications and it's free. It is so free. So I went looking and this one lady said, I won't put it on me if I can't put it in me. And I said, Ooh. So that means I need to go to the kitchen. So what turned into a little kind of excursion with coconut oil grapes, eat all oil and almond oil. Became, 20 to 30 runs to the, the local,, natural store. I went to Garnets, I went to Whole Foods. I went to, um, fresh Market, just looking for ingredients, and I started mixing stuff up. And, you know, the recipes that I found online, I didn't like. But you know, it was doing a little something to help because I had stretch marks, dark mark, dark spots from the medicines that they gave me. I won't call the names of actual medic medicines, but the medicines they gave me, although it eased the itching, It created dark spots, and so one solution created another problem and I was trying to get to the bottom of it, like, what the heck is going on? And after about five months of experimenting, while I should have been writing my dissertation, and I did, but I guess it was a good, a good way to relieve myself and step back from the work for a moment. I landed on this recipe for body butter. I didn't know what it really was. I started using it on my skin and family was like, your skin is clearing up. You have this glow. What are you using? I said, something I came up with in the kitchen. They said In the kitchen. I said, yes. And they encouraged me to sell it. So I remember I was selling, it was so makeshift. I had some Tupperware with the little blue top on it. I forgot what company that was, and I just put the little mixture in there and Charlotte had so much coconut oil until it would melt as soon as you took it out the fridge, and I'm like, Uhuh, this ain't it. I worked a little bit harder and came up with what I found to be the iteration of the recipe And I sold it at home and they bought it. Here's the, the gag. I still have a jar that butter here at home and I go back to it frequently just to, you know, as inspirational. I was like, child, I would not use this. Why did they buy it? Why? Look at the texture. Listen, look at how it smells. Uhuh. I wouldn't have bought it. But then some friends kept telling me to work towards it. Work towards it. And so, you know, months later in October of 2018, I launched it. And since then I've been finding ways to, you know, hear customer feedback. Experimenting with different ingredients, finding ways to adjust the recipe, and it has morphed into, you know, what was just a little hobby for myself and my skincare into becoming, you know, a. Keepsake, I guess, or a part of everyone's self-care routine across the country. I don't wanna say everyone, but a couple thousand people who regularly purchase. Yeah. it has become a part of their self-care routine and so I'm so proud of myself, but also happy that I believed in something I was doing to kind of continue.

Jaime Snell: 8:53

And today, you still use all natural ingredients,

Dr. Walt: 8:56

is that correct? Yes, there are some fragrance oils in there because people ask for'em. Mm-hmm. But I have since the beginning found ways to use natural substitutes for them instead. To wean people off of wanting to smell something so sharp. And so I remember when I had one, one of my first body butters, it was a fragrance that people liked, and I was like, no, but I don't like the fact that it is not a natural fragrance. And so over time, what I started doing is using less. Of the fragrance that I was putting in there and started using more natural fragrances to substitute it. And so I guess over time they haven't realized fully that it's not the same smell that I started off with., but I've been finding ways to substitute to make sure that it is, completely natural.

Jaime Snell: 9:45

that's an amazing thing. It's interesting when, when so many of us, and I'm, I'm guilty of it too, I used to use very traditional products with God only knows what was in them. And then when I started learning about the impacts of my health and my skin, I started transitioning. Mm-hmm. Which had become so conditioned to its smelling good. That you don't pay as much attention to what's in it, what's in, and then when you start to pay much attention what's in it, you still want it to smell good, you know? Mm-hmm. It's almost like you're just conditioned. It has to smell good or it's not gonna work. Yeah. And that's not true. It's more the quality of it and the ingredients of it are more important to me. It's kinda like cleaning clean smells like nothing clean to me, smells like nothing. But some people think that it's not clean unless it has that aromatic sense. Mm-hmm. So, so, yeah. But that's really awesome and I'm glad that you've stuck to your original core and that when you were saying how you've lessened some ingredients of the not so natural stuff to put in, the more natural to help your customers wean off of that, I don't know, detox in a way to, to kind of help them detox makes me think of it like as a mom, I will put. I will lessen the amount of sugar and maybe I'll add a banana or some apple sauce send to the ingredients to try and make it more healthier for my children. So in the, in the, it's kind of like the same thing in that industry. Just a way to relate it. So, yeah. Let's see. So you shared how. You were inspired to make the skin cream from your own eczema. And you found that it was working and then everybody was complimenting on your glow, so They encouraged you to make more of it. And you played with all these ingredients. Yes. And you kept it natural and it just kind of flowed into a business. So now we are five years later, is that correct?

Dr. Walt: 11:19

Yeah, five years later. Five years later.

Jaime Snell: 11:22

And you were sharing last night, like you far exceeded any of your original goals and some days you wanna go back to those original goals cause it was easier. But over that time, you've gotten to meet some amazing people and I bet they have some amazing stories about their own personal journeys. Absolutely. So I'm curious if you have like one story that you'd like to share about how your creation, what you made with your own hands, has helped transform either their life or their skincare routine

Dr. Walt: 11:51

or their health. Well, you know, my mother, I, I'll start there. My mother,, had a bout with eczema herself. She didn't tell me, but when she was pregnant with me, she was dealing with some skin related issues. and you know, even in her older years, she has been still dealing with itchy skin and she wasn't sure if it was like the water. She wasn't sure if it was, you know, the lotion she was using. She wasn't sure if it was the salt. But, she really struggled. Lots of itching, lots of dry skin. And I know that my mom can be a little resistant to trying new things, but I also know that when she finds something that works, she will not let go of it. and we were talking on the phone one day a few years ago after I got started and she said, you know what? I have not itched in so long. I think your stuff is really working. I said, really? Because I was so accustomed to her saying, I got out the shower, I moisturized, but it's just not working. And she was like, I, I, I don't even remember the last time that happened. She said, listen, If you decide to stop doing this, you have to let me know. I need a lifetime supply of soap and I need a lifetime supply supply of butter because I can't see myself going back to conventional lotions like I'm able to rest. I'm able to relax. I'm not itching as much. My skin is not as dry. I feel good about my skin, which means I feel good about myself and I'm like, really? Because you know, it was just a hobby. I wanted to make extra money, but then I needed to find a solution for myself, and I was not aware of the impact of some of what this high quality product. And we're only talking about the butter here. We're not talking about lip vam, body butter and bar soaps and stuff like that. But specifically the butter I was not aware of. What people got an exchange for giving me their money to purchase a bottle of jar, a bottle of butter, body butter. I wasn't aware that people were getting self-esteem. They were getting a good night's rest. They were getting confidence, they were getting a glow that they were getting co compliments from others around them. I did not know that. You know, and, and, and essentially I wasn't just selling butter. I was selling hope in a jar. Mm-hmm. That's beautiful. That's what they were getting. And I wasn't aware of that. And once I became aware of that, that's when I kind of really stepped into what I was producing and what I was sharing. And so I started implementing that on social media. I started making that the for the forefront, mm-hmm. Of my conversations at vending events. You know, finding ways to inspire them, to encourage them, to compliment them, to have them come back and share their stories with me about it. Even in our class, I've given some of the products to some of the others and they're like, listen, this is my bedtime routine because I know within 15 minutes I am out. Nice. And so nice. Nice. I wasn't aware of what I was, what I was sharing until my mother made me aware of it and it was So she kinda brought

Jaime Snell: 15:12

you to that aha moment of that she did value you were bringing and, and I know that she did. As an individual and like the psychology of it all. Of course we wanna look good, but feeling good is mm-hmm. 10 times better. Yeah. I mean, the confidence of feeling good is nothing that a mirror could ever deliver. Mm-hmm. So I think that's kudos that you were actually listening to your audience too, and able to give them more of what they needed, but not just the product, but a promise that you could deliver with how they felt.

Dr. Walt: 15:44

Yeah. Yeah. That's beautiful. And Mom is just one of many,, stories that I've gotten back from people about it., and it, it, I realized that what they're experiencing is also what I wanted five years ago before I got started. Yeah.

Jaime Snell: 15:59

Your own personal pain points at that time. Mm-hmm. You were seeking the solution for, so tell me, since we're talking about your mom and your customers, I'm curious, is there. If there were one thing that you absolutely loved about serving your customers, like your favorite thing about serving your customers, could you name that?

Dr. Walt: 16:17

Yes. the, the, my favorite thing about serving my customers, I would, you know, number one, I would say that they're getting hope in a jar. Mm-hmm. Okay. I love that, but I love that my customers are fun to be around. I love that my customers are curious. I love that when I put out a new product that they want to try it. I love that my customers get excited about it. I love that my customers end up, and this is a true story, end up going to Mexico for a girl's trip and they don't know each other, but one customer pulls out a a jar of soothing, refreshed vodka butter. And the, the girl looks at her and says, wait a minute. What are you doing with my butter? Did you go in my bag? And then the other girl goes and pull it out. I should say, woman instead. And they're like, you use Dr. Waltz. I know Dr. Waltz. He's my friend. He's my friend. And then, you know, it's the, it's the excitement and the vibrancy that they get out of saying, oh my God, it's a small company owned by this guy that I know. And here I am in Mexico meeting someone I, I did not know prior to this trip. And. We're both using the thing that brings us hope and self-confidence and self-esteem and, you know, contributes to a restful night's sleep. So that's the one thing I love about my customers. They're curious, but they're also really fun to be around. So it's

Jaime Snell: 18:44

almost as if your, your curiosity and passions inspired a community of others with curiosity. Mm-hmm. And, and just a passion for betterment. So that is beautiful. It's almost like a full pa, full circle around, right? Mm-hmm., tell me a little bit more about the variety of products you offer. So you mentioned the body butter. Mm-hmm. I know your mom mentioned soaps she can't without, so make sure extra stock of that just in case things get in production for your

19:11

mama.

Dr. Walt: 19:11

Yeah. She has some at home that she's supposed to be selling, but I know she's not selling it. I know it's not not being sold. You know, I, I don't always get the funds from that. It's not being sold. It is being used. I know that. So I make lip BALs. When I first got started, it was three body butters, one lip bomb, and then rosewater. And now it is lip scrubs, body oils, hair and beard, butter, what else? Oh, coffee, brown sugar, body scrub. Ooh, I love the smell of coffee. Yes, and the people love it too. I think that's about it. Mm-hmm. Yeah, it's a variety of things. So I have six body butters, I have six body oils, I have six. Mm-hmm. lip scrubs, three lip bombs. And so that kind of keeps me a little bit busy trying to keep up. I can imagine all of that.

Jaime Snell: 20:11

So do you have any other new formulas in the pipeline right now you're developing or is that

Dr. Walt: 20:15

the people have been asking about a face wash. Oh, I have face serum too. Yeah. But the people have been asking about a face wash and I just have to get still enough in the kitchen, to figure that out. I have some stuff that I've been using myself. Mm-hmm. but I'm not gonna give that to the people they've been asking for it. and we, we'll get to it eventually. In the meantime, I tell'em, y'all just use the soap that I already make. You'll be fine.

Jaime Snell: 20:41

Yeah. Well, I noticed, one of your, one of your product lines that I've got my eye on is that charcoal detoxifying bar. Yeah. And I am, I'm huge about charcoal. Like I am, I'm weird. I love to soak in apple cider vinegar cause I know how healthy and detoxifying it is. Mm-hmm. And then I love to bathe with, with anything that has a charcoal like focus about it. So, yeah.

Dr. Walt: 21:01

Very cool. Yeah. My favorite thing about the detox and charcoal, see I'm not a, a charcoal fan, but you know, these products came about because people, I started listening to what people were asking for. Mm-hmm. Now, I came about with the lip scrub because somebody said, listen, I live in DC and the winter's a harsh for me. I love using your lip bomb, but it doesn't do anything for dead skin. You need to come up with a scrub. Soap, I, I came up with a scrub. Well, the, the bar soap started the same exact way, particularly the detoxing charcoal. Somebody said, well, one of my customers, she said, well, you know, I have the body butter and I just feel incomplete without some soap to go with it. But during the pandemic I developed some soap. You know, I was a little bored, so I went to the kitchen, and. I came up with detoxing charcoal because people loved charcoal. Mm-hmm. But then I wanted to find out what other ingredients were really good for detoxing and moisture. And I added in alovera juice. I added in,, neme powder. Didn't know what it was until somebody told me about the detoxing qualities in that properties in that., and then I added in lemongrass because of how refreshing it was. And then the tea tree, and I'm like, oh gosh. And so I just got the mixing. And without realizing that, how beneficial it would be for people who shave regularly. Mm-hmm.

Jaime Snell: 22:22

I could definitely see that

Dr. Walt: 22:25

soothing. It's so soothing. It's so sooth. Yeah. It's a good pair for those who are interested in, it's a good pair for the soothing with fresh body butter.

Jaime Snell: 22:35

Well, that's good to know. Definitely. I'll, I'll note that in the show notes down below. Mm-hmm. So, I have one last question before. Okay. We ask you how we can get in touch with you, but a lot of my audience, you know, we're into self-care with our, you know, equal mindset, healthy ingredients, but we're also looking to take, take care of our children. So yeah, tell me a little bit about your experience with your products

Dr. Walt: 22:58

and kids. So, you know, my niece and nephew, David and Cece, they have been using my products ever since they were three months old. David was born in 2017, and remember that's when I was formulating it. Mm-hmm., Cece was born in 2019. Cece was born in 2019 and at that point I had had a solid grip on the body butters. They have been only using my body butters,, since they were three months old. Nice., and so, you know, I, I can't say that I've tested it on children because I don't wanna make it seem like I have a lab, but there are people who use the body butters on their children who deal with eczema. And psoriasis. And while I, I realized that my, my doctorate is limited to educational leadership and that I don't make any claims regarding, skin conditions. I can talk about symptoms such as dry, itchy skin and certainly for children, it has been such a great help. what a lot of people don't know is when your child,, has symptoms of A D H D and they're not getting rest at night. Not getting rest at night. Further trigger triggers the A D H D, but what it also does is it triggers eczema. And is that

Jaime Snell: 24:15

because of the stress that the body's under by not being well

Dr. Walt: 24:18

rested, it's the stress that the body's under without, because it's not getting adequate rest. Mm-hmm. That is good to know My problem too. Remember my eczema flareup came up while I was writing my dissertation. Yeah. No stress in that. Right. And so it was stress. But you, one thing I love, one thing I love here is, you know, my, my research is kind of, my academic research as an educator is married to my, work as an entrepreneur.

Jaime Snell: 24:45

That's awesome. I, I can see definitely through

Dr. Walt: 24:47

the parallels and, and my academic work. I study self-concept development, and that's the story we tell ourselves about ourselves. Mm-hmm. and in with Dr. Walt's company, I'm teaching people to care for themselves better. I'm learning that I cannot detach, you know, caring for your internal self, from caring for your external self, meaning your skin. Mm-hmm. And so in the upcoming months, I'll be adding, things to boxes such as affirmations. That people can use, partnering with physical trainers,, so that they can give some daily practices in terms of workouts for people who just need five minutes a day. It's something that we can post and maybe even have a blog about. I'm really just looking for ways to, to help people not only care for the exterior, but care for the interior.

Jaime Snell: 25:42

I love how this journey is evolving for you and that not only have you found special formulas that help nurture the skin mm-hmm. But you're taking your academic, your academic experience to help nurture the soul as well. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you Dr. Walt. Well, tell us, well, we'll put below all the details of how people can get, in touch with you in the show notes. But what is your favorite way for people to reach out to you if they have any questions? Yeah. What is your website? So they can come and check out these

Dr. Walt: 26:08

awesome products for themselves, so they can go to dr. waltz.co. It's really easy. Don't put.com. I didn't say calm. Cause a lot of people put in dr waltz.com. They're like, I can't find it. Well, duh. All right. So Dr. waltz.co is the website, and if you wanna find me and have immediate conversation via Instagram, it's Dr. Waltz co. On inst on Facebook. It's the same thing, Dr. Waltz Co. And it is there that you can send a message, you can email us, and then you can even shop. At dr walt.com, dr.co. Look at me about to say.com.

Jaime Snell: 26:43

Easy to get tripped up. Well, we have so much valuable information to share.

Dr. Walt: 26:46

Yes, yes, yes. And I really, really appreciate the fact that I've been able to come on your platform to share with.

Jaime Snell: 26:54

Thank you so much. Well, it's just been awesome to be able to call you friends. I love learning next to you and, and now we'll be learning in this journey of life together as we build our businesses and get our messages out.

Dr. Walt: 27:04

Absolutely. Very, very great. I appreciate you and thank you for sharing, great information with your audience and ways they can care for themselves and the ways we can do that using the earth. All right. Plants around us, natural

Jaime Snell: 27:17

ingredients for sure. So, we'll, thank you all for listening today, and you heard Dr. Walt himself go check out his website and if you have any questions, you can reach him directly through Instagram or Facebook Messengers.