MADCAPZ – A Q&A with Carrie Bell, Founder

Polka Dot

The Fourth Tee recently went to an off-course golf event and found a marketing postcard about a company called Madcapz in the event’s goodie bag.  Madcapz.  Definitely an attention-getter.  As Madcapz describes on the postcard it’s “women’s fun colorful caps & visors.”  But it is so much more.  Madcapz is founder Carrie Bell’s own triumph over adversity.  But, we’ll let her tell you all about it.

THE FOURTH TEE: It is an honor to share your story and the story of Madcapz with the Fourth Tee public.  Tell us how you came to create Madcapz.

CARRIE BELL: Madcapz was created from a need I had. I was sick (from Grave’s Disease) and losing my hair and wanted a fun feminine cap to wear to cover my head. I searched in vain and couldn’t find one, so I decided to create them myself – and Madcapz was born!

TFT: How long ago was Madcapz created?

CB: 2006

TFT: What’s in a name?  By that I mean, what is the significance of the name “Madcapz?”

CB: There really is no significance other than it connotes a fun name for a fun product!  When I started to think of a company name, I played around with several names. Madcapz literally popped into my head one night when I was trying to sleep!

TFT: According to your site, Madcapz was primarily created for women suffering hair loss as a result of various medical ailments.  What has been the response/feedback from women so affected?

CB: Well, I’m not sure I set out to create Madcapz just for women with hair loss. I was certainly solving a problem that I personally had. But I did think women in general would love Madcapz – and they do! The absolute best part of my job is having women email us to tell us how much Madcapz has brightened their days while they are experiencing hair loss. We also get emails from people who have given Madcapz as a gift to those going through chemo or experiencing hair loss for other medical reasons – and I just love those emails!

TFT: Tell us about your “Pink” line and how people generally respond to it.

CB: Our Pink line became popular with women walking in various Breast Cancer events. We have teams who order pink Madcapz for their members for special Breast Cancer walk/run events.

Celebration

CB (Cont’d): Just want to mention that we also have a special teal Madcapz that we made for the HERA Women’s Cancer Foundation to help them in their fight against ovarian cancer. For every HERA Madcapz we sell, we donate $3 to the HERA Foundation.

HERA

TFT: Your site also markets Madcapz baseball hats as golf or tennis wear – and you even have visors – plus, you are also a licensed vendor of the Executive Women’s Golf Association (“EWGA”).  What was the genesis into the sportswear space? Was it just a natural progression?

CB: Although I started Madcapz because I was losing my hair and wanted a fun feminine cap to wear, I found fairly early on in this business that women golfers loved our caps. So, it really was a natural progression to expand into that market. Women golfers have great style and want to have fun on and off the course, so Madcapz are a terrific fashion accessory for golfers!

TFT: Do you play golf and/or tennis?

CB: I do play both tennis and golf, but am trying to focus my energies on golf. I actually began only a few years ago when I realized such a large percentage of my market are golfers! I love it, but it’s very hard to hit that little white ball where I want it to go

TFT: It’s also clear from your website you offer online shopping, but if my readers want to go to a physical store where they can experiment with, and try on, the various designs you offer, where can they go?  Are you in any major chains?

CB: We are in many small boutiques, hospital gift shops, oncology boutiques, golf retailers, golf pro shops, and gift shops all across the country. If someone wants to find a store near them, her best bet is to contact us and we can point her to the closest store/retailer that carries Madcapz.  I do want to tell you that our caps and visors have adjustable straps so that they fit most women’s heads comfortably.

Midnight Moon

TFT: What would you say is your best selling design?  And do you create new designs each season?

CB: Our animal prints have always been popular, but this season they are really hot! Also, our polka dot prints are always best sellers. We introduce a Spring collection and a Summer collection. Our Spring collection was just introduced this month and can be seen online at our website.

Animal Safari

TFT: The Fourth Tee appreciates the opportunity to have this Q&A with you and is pleased to showcase some of your hats to our readers.  Thank you.

All photos are courtesy of Madcapz.  To learn more about Madcapz visit www.madcapz.net.

Purple Passion

If The Shoe Fits…

One thing merchandisers strive for is consumer loyalty and, for a shoe that is no longer made, that loyalty lives on for one dedicated consumer.

The Fourth Tee subscriber, jokur, has been on a long and patient quest to replace her beloved black patent leather Aqua Tags golf shoes – shoes that are no longer made.  So, what to do?

No hand wringing was necessary because that’s where eBay comes to the rescue!  All that was needed was patience, persistence, and determined bidding.  “I waited for a long time and there they were, on Ebay, the gorgeous, black patent leather golf shoes that I wanted. So I bid and bid some more. Now, they are mine.” says jokur.  And, there they are, pictured below.  Brand new.

Aqua Tags black patent leather golf shoes found on eBay.

jokur was happy to settle with used Aqua Tags found on eBay.  Instead, she hit the jackpot and found a brand new pair.  And they are gorgeous shoes, if The Fourth Tee does say so itself.

Congratulations to jokur.  Enjoy your shoes and may you hit many a long drive and drain many putts while wearing your lucky shoes.