Bug Bite Thing - Achievement in International Expansion
Company: Bug Bite Thing, Port St. Lucie, FL
Company Description: As Seen on Shark Tank, Bug Bite Thing effectively alleviates the stinging, itching, and swelling caused by insect bites and stings. Amazon’s #1 best-selling product for insect bite relief with over 34,000 positive reviews, Bug Bite Thing is chemical-free, reusable, and safe to use on children of all ages, as well as adults.
Nomination Category: Achievement Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Achievement in International Expansion
Nomination Title: Bug Bite Thing Offers Insect Bite Relief Worldwide, Expands to 25 Countries
After many failed attempts to alleviate her six-month-old daughter’s constant suffering from mosquito bites, Kelley Higney researched how other countries combat insect bites. She discovered a little-known tool that uses suction to remove insect saliva/venom from under the skin and eliminates the itching, stinging and swelling by removing the irritant. Higney was amazed to find that the product not only worked, it also offered instant relief. Higney secured the international distribution rights for the product in the U.S. and sold her home to fund the business.
In 2018, Higney was selling Bug Bite Thing at local farmers markets, bake sales and online on Amazon and BugBiteThing.com. The company’s revenue was hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Then, in October 2019, Higney and her mother, Ellen McAlister, appeared on ABC’s hit show ‘Shark Tank.’ All the Sharks wanted to invest in the business, but self-proclaimed "mosquito-magnet" Lori Greiner's Golden Ticket offer secured the investment. At that time, the product was carried by CVS Pharmacy and in three countries, Canada, South Korea and the United States.
Bug Bite Thing obtained international distribution rights to the product and expanded into the following twenty-two countries: Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Trinidad, Tobago, the UK, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam.
Founded in 2017, Bug Bite Thing expanded to 25 countries in less than four years. The company is disrupting the insect bite relief industry by offering a suction tool that is chemical-free, reusable, and safe to use on children of all ages and adults. It is not recommended to use the product on your face. Results from one of the clinical trials are available on the company’s website under “clinical testing.”
The majority of products sold on the market contain harsh chemicals and product warning labels. In addition, many of them are packaged in aerosol cans, which are hazardous to the environment.
Below are links to press features and a press release that highlights the company’s growth and international expansion.
Links to press features:
- https://www.wptv.com/news/region-st-lucie-county/port-st-lucie/local-woman-selling-bug-bite-thing-gets-ready-for-the-national-stage
- https://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/20191015/new-acreage-woman-fishes-for-bite-on-shark-tank-this-weekend
- https://www.wptv.com/rebound/bug-bite-thing-not-stinging-during-pandemic
- https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/2021/05/20/shark-tank-partnership-boosts-bug-bite-thing/5167180001/
- https://www.wpbf.com/article/local-woman-reappears-on-shark-tank/3621485
- https://www.wflx.com/2021/05/13/bug-bite-thing-not-stinging-during-pandemic
- https://www.shopify.com/blog/bug-bite-thing-affiliate-marketin
- https://cbs12.com/news/local/treasure-coast-moms-invention-now-sold-worldwide
Press Release: