Owensboro natives Les Bumm and Kevin Humphreys recently launched Doctor Bum’s, specializing in wellness pet healthcare and grooming products. For now, they have two products on the market: an anti-itching, hot spot and wound care spray, and a dirt and odor eliminator spray.
With time on their hands during the pandemic, the two brainstormed potential business opportunities. Bumm is a medical sales representative, while Humphrey is the CEO at Holllison, specializing in innovative and improved food safety sampling solutions.
The two combined their knowledge and experience, began their research, and landed on pet hygiene products.
“These are great products, and we’ve received a lot of positive feedback,” Bumm said. “We know we have a great product, and there’s no true competitor because our products are natural rather than synthetic. Most competitors will put lavender oil and other synthetic fragrances in their products that will make animals sick if they lick it.”
The primary ingredient in the antimicrobial wound and skin care spray is Hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a powerful natural ingredient considered 200 times stronger than bleach but safe to consume. Because of its short shelf life, the product’s popularity slowly dwindled, gaining traction again to combat COVID-19.
Through other experiences, Bumm stumbled upon a company in Florida that had developed a machine that could combine water, salt pellets, and water softener and then electrolyze it to form the compound.
Bumm and Humphreys immediately wanted to go to market with cleaning supplies but quickly realized they would have to tackle several government regulations. On top of that, their top competitor would be bleach.
So, they shifted their gears to pets, which presents minimal regulations. The body’s white blood cells naturally produce HOCl as part of its immune system response, and veterinarians were already using it as drops and for other prescriptions.
“As we create the mixture on one side, what’s left transitions to the other side and forms sodium hydroxide, a natural degreaser commonly found on the shelf,” Bumm said. “Because of this, we can make 2 products out of 1.”
Sodium hydroxide is the primary compound of the dirt and odor eliminator.
“You can use it on your actual pet for eye discharge, ear wax, or to remove dirt and the smell of outdoors without giving the pet a bath,” he said. “You can also spray it on dog beds, toys, and even around the pet’s mouth to prevent bad breath – it’s 100% safe.”
To learn more about the products or the company or to place an order, visit doctorbums.com. The sprays are also available on walmart.com and amazon.com.
