We recently connected with Kelley Higney and have shared our conversation below.
Kelley, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
For me— Bug Bite Thing truly is a mission! I’m a “Mom on a Mission” to educate the world that there is a chemical-free solution for those suffering from bug bites and stings. That’s because it’s personal to me, I was my first customer! Back in 2013, when my family moved to Florida, no one warned us how bad the mosquitos would be! My daughter suffers from severe reactions to bites, enduring days of painful swelling and itching. I discovered Bug Bite Thing out of necessity. I was done using creams filled with harsh chemicals and making trips to the doctor’s office with my six-month-old daughter for another round of antibiotics. I wanted to find a safe way to alleviate her pain. I knew there had to be a better solution. So I started researching. I took a chance on ordering an unfamiliar product that uses suction to eliminate the irritant. Skeptical but hopeful, we tried it…and it worked! Bug Bite Thing was a game changer for my family. It was never a question—I had to share the product with other families that were suffering! And if you read some of the reviews and testimonials that come in—they’re life changing. That’s what drives me. Because if it’s that life changing for so many people that we have reached, imagine how many more people could find relief from using Bug Bite Thing!
Kelley, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Kelley Higney. I’m the founder and CEO of Bug Bite Thing. For those who haven’t heard of Bug Bite Thing, it’s an insect bite relief suction tool, and a must-have for anyone that experiences pain, itching, or swelling from bites and stings! It is chemical-free, reusable and suitable for all ages. The product is also Amazon’s #1 selling insect bite treatment with over 40,000 positive reviews. Our company’s headquarters is located in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Along with being a member of the St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce, Bug Bite Thing strives to be very active in the local community. We have made a monetary donation and I have led activities for the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida. We support the Treasure Coast Food Bank, a member of Feeding America, through donations as well as volunteering. And I’m also an investor in weVenture, a program through the Women’s Business Center at Florida Tech Bisk College of Business that is an amazing resource for female entrepreneurs. Bug Bite Thing continues to look for ways to give back to the community we love to be a part of.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I took Udemy online classes, I learned social media marketing myself, it was a lot of trial and error. I experimented with different content and finally—I got it to go! I knew the importance of connecting with my customers and social media was another way to do just that. It really all goes back to my main goal. I want to educate people that a chemical-free product actually exists! I used Bug Bite Thing’s social media pages to actively reply to customers’ questions and comments about the product-—we still do this! The positive reviews and comments began to drive more demand for the product and at the same time, our number of followers began to grow too. Social media is actually how I got the attention of Shark Tank in the first place! One of the show’s producers saw a Bug Bite Thing Facebook post and contacted me about auditioning for the show. For anyone just starting to build their social media presence, I would say don’t use your channels as a sales platform. Look at it as a place to connect with your customers directly and address any individual issues. Focus on engaging content that speaks to your consumer and encourages them to interact with your brand.
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
Without customers, you have no business. Brand loyalty starts with consumer experience, and happy customers become your brand’s biggest cheerleaders. When they’re passionate about your product, they are more likely to recommend it to their friends and family, which has a huge influence on consumer purchasing behavior. You can also use the feedback of your existing customer base to determine how you can expand your product line and grow your business. Consumers drive the demand for the product, so really listening to your customers is crucial.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bugbitething.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelleyhigneyCEO/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KelleyHigneyCEO
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelleyhigneyceo/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kelleyhigneyceo