Kelley Higney, Founder of Bug Bite Thing
Name: Kelley Higney
Founder: Bug Bite Thing
Who is Kelley Higney and what does she do?
After Kelley Higney and her family relocated to South Florida, she learned her six-month-old daughter had severe reactions to mosquitoes bites. Determined to find a natural alternative to the available remedies on the market, Kelley discovered a product that was being sold in industrial first aid kits in Europe that uses suction to remove the irritant now known as "Bug Bite Thing." Kelley and her mother, Ellen McAlister, gained national recognition in October 2019 after appearing on ABC’s hit show, ‘Shark Tank.’ In April 2021, Kelley and her mother returned to ‘Shark Tank’ and shared details on the company's transformation into a multi-million dollar enterprise.
In less than three sentences tell us about your company and what you do.
As Seen on Shark Tank, Bug Bite Thing is a chemical-free solution that instantly alleviates the stinging, itching and swelling caused by insect bites and stings. The reusable tool solely uses suction to remove insect saliva or venom from underneath the skin, making it safe for all ages. Amazon’s #1 selling product for insect bite relief, with over 75,000 reviews, Bug Bite Thing was also named to Inc.’s 2022 Best in Business List in the Consumer Product Category.
What does BEING a FoundHer mean to you?
As a mother of two, being a FoundHer means being part of a community that inspires and supports other women to go for it. Women can run their own companies and be mothers by finding the right work/life balance that works for them. It also means sharing resources and encouraging one another along the journey.
How do you support other female founders and women in business?
Bug Bite Thing is an equity partner investor in weVENTURE. The weVENTURE program, through the Women's Business Center at Florida Tech Bisk College of Business, focuses on educating and mentoring entrepreneurs and women-owned small businesses in Florida’s Brevard, Indian River, and St. Lucie counties.
As an equity partner, I hosted and spoke at a weVENTURE Strong Coffee Strong Women event at our office. I was also a speaker at the weVENTURE IMPACT Summit last summer.
In addition, our company sponsored the Wine Women & Shoes Event benefitting weVENTURE Women’s Business Center in 2022, and is participating again this year.
We are also sponsoring the weVENTURE 2023 Women Who Rock Awards, which elevates the profiles of local women doing amazing work and leading through action.
I'm also speaking at the American Business Women's Network Oceanside Charter June event and looking to become more involved with the organization.
Did you raise capital? What was the process and avenue you chose to take?
After securing distribution rights for the product in the U.S., I sold my home to fund the business. I rented a house and ran the company out of my garage. Then, Bug Bite Thing grabbed the attention of one of the casting producers of ABC’s hit show ‘Shark Tank’ through social media, who encouraged me to audition. My mother and I flew to California during the summer of 2019 and auditioned for the show. All five Sharks extended offers for a piece of the business and we chose to partner with Lori Greiner. The details of the deal can be found here, https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/2021/05/20/shark-tank-partnership-boosts-bug-bitething/5167180001/ .
What was an obstacle you overcame to get your business where it is today?
In 2019, the product was being sold at retail. However, it was sitting on the shelves. I decided the packaging needed to educate customers on how to use the product correctly and I had to identify a new target audience. After several updates to the product’s packaging and with my new marketing strategy, the product began moving off the shelves, and in-store sales began to increase.
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