Dr. Staci Whitman introduced her company Happi Floss to ABC's 'Shark Tank,' a campaign that ended with a life-changing investment from the Sharks. Hence, Staci proposed a compostable floss that she sells under the company.
Who Are They and What Do They Do at Happi Floss?
Dr. Staci Whitman obtained her Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry degree from the Tufts University School of Medicine in 2006 before pursuing her pediatric dentistry degree at the Oregon Health & Science University in 2011. Moreover, she is a certified international health coach by the International Association of Health Coaches.
Staci is the founder of Doctor Staci's Happi Health Coaching, where she is a health and nutrition coach and a member of the Diplomate American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Additionally, she is an environmentalist and has always adopted environmentally responsible practices whenever possible.
Staci mentioned that she was at a conference in Hawaii in 2020 when she discovered massive plastic waste clogging up the marina. She discovered that most of the waste was made up of plastic dental floss picks, which people had already thrown away after use. Besides, since floss picks are a one-time-use item, it does not take long to accumulate enough waste to harm the environment.
Staci returned to the drawing board in search of the ideal alternative to plastic floss because of its negative effects on health and the environment. That's when she developed several prototypes and eventually perfected her environmentally friendly and non-toxic floss choices.
Happi Floss Picks are made from post-consumer recycled paper that is compressed after being layered over each other. Biofilm is a non-toxic and plant-based material that Staci claims is 100% natural. However, she also noted that Happi Floss Picks' unique design helps them decompose within a year of being turned into waste.
What Has Happened to Happi Floss?
Although Dr. Staci Whitman was certain about the product she wanted to develop, she noted that it took research for about two years before she perfected the recipe for Happi Floss Picks. Interestingly, once the first batch of floss picks was ready, she distributed them among her family, friends, and patients, urging her to continue her endeavors.
Happi Floss is based in Portland, Oregon, and Staci mentioned that the product is produced locally in a fair-wage shop that uses 100% renewable energy. Moreover, the team maintains a regular email address for further information.
