Bug Bite Thing - Shark Tank Update

Innovation born from necessity struck when mother Kelley Higney relocated from California to Florida in 2013 and discovered she was completely unprepared for the relentless assault of mosquitoes that seemed to target her and her daughters with surgical precision. After exhausting every traditional remedy from creams to home remedies without finding relief from the torturous itching and swelling that followed each bite, Kelley's determination led her on a global search for a solution that eventually connected her with a Swedish-manufactured suction device originally invented by a European doctor twenty years earlier.

The Bug Bite Thing operates on elegantly simple physics - functioning like a reverse syringe that uses suction to extract insect saliva and venom from bite sites, immediately stopping the body's allergic reaction that causes itching, swelling, and pain without requiring any chemicals or medications. Kelley secured an exclusive distribution deal with the Danish manufacturer, creating a private-label arrangement that allowed her to import the devices for $1.53 each and retail them for $9.95, while building the business initially from her Jacksonville garage before expanding into major retail partnerships.

The product addressed a universal problem that affected millions of people worldwide, particularly those living in mosquito-heavy regions or outdoor enthusiasts who needed immediate, chemical-free relief from insect bites and stings. Her entrepreneurial background, rooted in what she described as 'a long line of women entrepreneurs,' provided the foundation for scaling the business rapidly from garage startup to international distribution through Amazon, CVS, and expanding Canadian and Korean markets.

Seeking $150,000 for 10% equity and valuing their innovative suction device company at $1.5 million, Kelley and her business partner Ellen McAlister entered Season 11 with a product that had already generated $500,000 in first-year sales and projected $2 million by year-end, demonstrating strong market validation for their chemical-free approach to insect bite relief.

Lori Greiner immediately recognized the massive market potential and brilliant simplicity of the Bug Bite Thing concept, ultimately securing the deal by offering her famous 'Golden Ticket' - exactly what the entrepreneurs requested at $150,000 for 10% equity - during a heated bidding war that included competitive offers from Rohan Oza, Barbara Corcoran, and Kevin O'Leary who all recognized the product's commercial appeal. The dramatic conclusion saw Barbara Corcoran theatrically collapsing in her chair after losing the deal to Lori, a moment that became so iconic it was later featured in Shark Tank's Greatest of All Time special as one of the show's most memorable 'Shark attacks.' Following their Tank success, Bug Bite Thing experienced explosive growth that validated Lori's investment instincts, with the company expanding from small-scale operations to major retail presence in over 25,000 locations including Walmart, Home Depot, CVS, Lowe's, Joann's, and ACE Hardware nationwide by 2021.

The business demonstrated remarkable resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, actually experiencing 'drastic growth' as people spent more time outdoors and sought effective solutions for insect bite relief, while Lori's retail connections proved invaluable in securing nationwide distribution partnerships. By 2023, Bug Bite Thing had achieved over $25 million in lifetime sales and attracted acquisition interest from larger companies, while expanding their product portfolio through the strategic acquisition of TickEase Inc., makers of patented tick removal tweezers for people and pets.

We found that Bug Bite Thing continues thriving with over $32 million in lifetime sales as of 2024, earning recognition as #1775 on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies while serving customers who have discovered that simple physics can provide immediate relief from one of nature's most persistent annoyances, proving that sometimes the most successful products are those that solve everyday problems with elegant simplicity.