Bug Bite Thing: A Mother-Daughter Duo's Journey from Pesky Problem to Profitable Solution
Imagine being out camping, basking in nature's beauty, when an unwelcome mosquito decides to strike.
We've all been there — the incessant scratching following a mosquito bite, the desperate search for relief.
If this scenario sounds familiar, you're not alone!
This common annoyance was the catalyst for Kelley Higney and her mother, Ellen McAlister , the dynamic entrepreneurial duo behind Bug Bite Thing .
The Cross-Country Move
The story of Bug Bite Thing began with a move from California to Florida.
Unprepared for the relentless mosquitoes, Kelly's daughter suffered terribly from insect bites.
None of the available remedies worked, leading Kelly to start searching for a better solution.
After exhausting all conventional options, she embarked on a research journey that led to a surprising discovery.
During her research, Kelly discovered an ancient remedy used in other countries — suction tools designed to extract insect venom from under the skin.
Intrigued by this simple yet effective method, she saw potential and contacted manufacturers worldwide.
Birth of a Brand (2016)
With exclusive rights in hand, Kelly created the Bug Bite Thing brand.
She began selling the tool at local events, quickly gaining positive feedback from other parents.
Encouraged by these responses, Kelly sold her house to purchase her first large inventory batch.
In 2018, a local moms' group mentioned Bug Bite Thing on social media, catching the attention of a CBS 12 reporter.
After a viral television segment, Kelly sold out of her inventory in just one week.
Swimming with the Sharks (2019)
One day, a producer from the TV show Shark Tank ABC noticed a post about their product, Bug Bite Thing, on social media.
领英推荐
In a remarkable turn of events on the show, all of the Sharks pitched offers to invest in Kelley and Ellen.
Even though they had several great offers, they decided to go with Lori Greiner's 'Golden Ticket' offer of $150,000 for a 10% share in their company.
This was a big moment for them and marked a turning point in their journey as entrepreneurs.
The resulting 'Shark Tank effect' led to opening their first office in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and expanding the business globally.
Their product quickly became a sensation among consumers nationwide thanks to its simplicity and effectiveness.
It solved their personal problem and helped millions find relief from bug bites.
Expansion and Recognition
Today, Bug Bite Thing remains Amazon's #1 selling product for insect bite relief, with over 75,000 reviews!
It's available at over 30,000 retail locations, including major chains like CVS Pharmacy , JOANN's , Rite Aid , 家得宝 , and Walgreens .
Bug Bite Thing has revolutionized how we cope with pesky bug bites.
Their secret sauce? It's all about suction.
This ingenious tool uses simple physics to draw out insect venom from under your skin, tackling the problem at its source instead of merely masking symptoms with creams or ointments.
It's effective against bites/stings from mosquitoes, bees, wasps, ants, and biting fleas, proving that sometimes, necessity truly is the mother of invention.
According to Lori Greiner , the company has $21 million in retail sales in just 2 years since airing on Shark Tank.
Bug Bite Thing stands as a beacon of entrepreneurial success, showing us that sometimes, the simplest ideas can make the biggest impacts.
Happy Sunday,
P.S. Free shipping on orders in the U.S.