Ep. 87 | Learn the Secret to Enjoying the Outdoors in Florida This Summer with “Bug Bite Thing” CEO/Founder Kelley Higney

Kelley Higney is the founder and CEO of Bug Bite Thing. In 2013, Kelley’s family relocated from San Diego, California to South Florida. There was one thing they were not prepared for—the mosquitos. On this episode of Small Biz Florida, we let Kelley tell us the story of how Bug Bite Thing got started! Bug Bite Thing gained national recognition in October 2019 when Kelley and her mother, Ellen McAlister, appeared on ABC’s hit show, ‘Shark Tank.’ All the Sharks were biting with offers to invest in the business, but it was Lori Greiner’s ‘Golden Ticket’ offer that secured the partnership. In April 2021, Kelley and her mother returned to ‘Shark Tank.’ This time, they shared details on the company's transformation into a multi-million dollar enterprise following their first appearance on the show. Bug Bite Thing is Amazon’s #1 selling product for insect bite relief with more than 45,000 reviews. 

Kelley is a member of the Fast Company Executive Board and Forbes Business Council. She is also the recipient of numerous awards, including two Gold Stevie Awards wins, and was named  ‘Woman of the Year’ by the 2021 American Business Awards and ‘Female Entrepreneur of the Year’ by the 2021 Stevie Awards for Women in Business. Kelley is active within the South Florida business community. She resides in South Florida with her husband, Richard, and their daughters, Leah and Lilly. 

This episode is one you don’t want to miss! 

– Follow Kelley Higney:https://www.instagram.com/bugbitething/ 

– Check out Bug Bite Thing: https://www.bugbitething.com/ 

For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual JMI Small Business Leadership Conference hosted at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. These segments were also cohosted by Dr. Herbert Ricardo Professor at the School of Business at Indian River State College.

– Connect w/ Dr. Herbert Ricardo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herbert-ricardo-ph-d-91b1ba225/

– To learn more about the JMI Institute, visit their website here

– To learn more about the JMI Small Business Leadership Conference, visit their website here