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 48,000 reviews, Bug Bite Thing is chemical-free, reusable, and safe to use on children of all ages, as well as adults.
Nomination Category: Company/Organization Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Company of the Year – Consumer Products – More Than 10 Employees
 Nomination Title: Bug Bite Thing
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes, explaining the achievements since July 1, 2020 of the nominated organization, OR written answers to the questions? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video. If you are submitting written answers to the questions for this category, provide them in the appropriate spaces below:
- Briefly describe the nominated organization: history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 127 words used.
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 alleviates 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 then secured the international distribution rights for the product in the U.S. and sold her home to fund the business. In 2018, Kelly Higney was selling Bug Bite Thing at local farmers’ markets, bake sales and online on Amazon and BugBiteThing.com. Kelley ran the business out of her garage. [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION]
- Outline the organization's achievements since July 1 2020 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 249 words used.
Below is a list of Bug Bite Thing’s accomplishments:
- From 2020 to 2021, sales at major retail locations in the U.S. increased by over 1,100%.
- [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION]
- 2021- Became actively involved in organizations that support pediatric cancer patients with in-kind donations to Nicklaus Children's Hospital Foundation and Children's Cancer Center.
- 2021- Bug Bite Thing joined Cancer Free Economy Network and supports its Childhood Cancer Prevention Initiative.
- January 2021- Started off the year with a donation and volunteer day with Treasure Coast Food Bank.
- [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION]
- July 2021- Partnered with local Girl Scouts Chapter of Southeast Florida and contributed $10K. Higney taught girl scouts the stem-focused activities Save the Bees and Botany in Action: Discovering Nature's Natural Mosquito Repellents.
- March 2022 - Partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County.
- May 2022- The company was certified by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) as a women-owned business.
- Has been featured in CNN Underscored, HuffPost, NY Mag/The Strategist, Travel + Leisure, Spy, The Today Show and Yahoo! Lifestyle.
- Amazon’s #1 selling product for insect bite relief with over 48,000 reviews.
- As of June 2022, the product is available in over 30,000 retail locations, [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION] available in 34 countries.
- Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 248 words used.
[REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION]
Bite Bite Thing is unlike any other product available on the market, completely chemical-free, reusable and safe to use on children of all ages, as well as adults. The reviews are proof of its effectiveness: Bug Bite Thing has over 75,000 reviews on Amazon.
[REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION]
From 2020-2021, Bug Bite Thing’s sales at major retail locations in the U.S. increased by over 1,100%. The product is now available at 30,000 major retail locations [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION].
Bug Bite Thing also supports its local South Florida community. In 2021, the company made in-kind donations to hospitals and nonprofit organizations, including Nicklaus Children's Hospital and Children’s Cancer Center, as well as a $10,000 contribution to Treasure Coast Food Bank (a member of Feeding America).
In 2022, Bug Bite Thing partnered with Girl Scouts of South Florida and Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County, which both teach youth leadership and other vital skills.
- Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 8 words used.
Please see the links under the attachments section.
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