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Since discovering Bug Bite Thing, first time CEO Kelley Higney has been a “Mom on a Mission” to share her story and offer the world a chemical-free solution for insect bite relief. Higney took a huge financial risk to start her business, sold her home and used those funds to start Bug Bite Thing. At first, Higney sold the product locally at bake sales and farmers’ markets in her South Florida community. Fast forward five years and the product has expanded its distribution to include over 30,000 retail partners in the U.S., available in 34 countries and has sold millions of units to date.
Higney and her mother, Ellen McAllister, appeared on ABC’s ‘Shark Tank’ in October 2019, which is an accomplishment in itself. On average, the show receives up to 40,000 applicants each season with less than 100 making it on-air. All of the Sharks wanted to partner with Bug Bite Thing, which is a rare occurrence for the show, but it was Lori Greiner’s “Golden Ticket offer that secured the partnership. Bug Bite Thing experienced overnight growth [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION] immediately after the episode aired. Because of Bug Bite Thing’s success, Higney and McAlister were invited to appear on the show a second time in a Shark Tank update episode [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION] .
[REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION] Bug Bite Thing is unlike anything else available on the market. Completely chemical-free, reusable and safe to use on children of all ages, Bug Bite Thing has also remained a bestseller on Amazon with over 75,000 reviews that speak to its effectiveness.
With Higney at the helm, Bug Bite Thing has also shown its commitment to the community. In 2021, the company began making in-kind donations to hospitals and nonprofit organizations that support pediatric cancer patients and their families, including Nicklaus Children's Hospital and Children’s Cancer Center.
The company has also made financial contributions to support the work of local organizations, including a $10,000 donation to Treasure Coast Food Bank (a member of Feeding America) and $10,000 to Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida. This year, Bug Bite Thing also teamed up with the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County and kicked off the spring season with the event, Breakfast with the Easter Bunny.
weVENTURE is a program through the Women's Business Center at Florida Tech College of Business focused on personal growth and creating opportunities for female entrepreneurs. In 2022, Bug Bite Thing hosted a Strong Coffee, Strong Women weVENTURE event at their facility where Higney was the keynote speaker, sharing her journey with other aspiring entrepreneurs. After the event’s success, Bug Bite Thing became an equity partner investor of weVENTURE. This recognition further cements the company’s relationship with the organization and its commitment to supporting female entrepreneurship and weVENTURE’s mission.
In addition, Higney has dedicated her time to speak at events that support entrepreneurs in the Florida business community. In May 2022, Higney was the keynote speaker at the 9th annual Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida Emerald Awards. And in June 2022, Higney spoke on a panel with other Shark Tank entrepreneurs at the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship Conference in Orlando, FL.
In 2022, Bug Bite Thing began working with St. Lucie County Economic Development Council (EDC) to support its efforts to increase job growth in the local community. [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION]
Nomination Title: Founder & CEO Kelley Higney
