In this episode of the People of Packaging Podcast, Adam Peek sits down with Olivia Abrams, CEO and Co-Founder of TickMitt, to chat about turning personal adversity into an innovative, life-saving product line! 🧤🕷️
Episode Overview
After contracting Lyme disease on her family’s hay farm in New York, Olivia teamed up with her dad, Steve, to create TickMitt—a chemical-free fabric mitten designed to swipe ticks right off skin, clothes, and pet fur before they bite. They later expanded with the Tick Sidekick, built a raving customer base, braved the waters of Shark Tank, and mastered the complex world of retail packaging.
Key Highlights & Takeaways
* The “Why” Behind the Brand: How a personal bout with Lyme disease sparked a family mission to protect pets and families naturally.
* Tasting the Waters on Shark Tank: What it was like pitching on Mark Cuban’s final episode, getting two offers, and having the courage to turn them down based on valuation.
* Packaging Built for D2C & Retail: How TickMitt balanced lightweight materials for low D2C shipping costs with clear windows, pegboard hooks, and high-visibility “warning yellow” for retail shelves.
* Retail Scaling & PDQ Magic: Transforming shipping boxes into ready-to-display counter stands (PDQs) for small local stores, and later shrinking package dimensions to maximize sales per square inch.
* Navigating 136-Page Compliance Manuals: Real talk on the hidden complexities of big-box retail packaging rules, label placement, and distribution requirements.
* The Power of Human Connection: Why asking for help from your immediate network can fast-track product development faster than any search algorithm.
Connect with Olivia & TickMitt
* Website: tickmitt.com
* Social Media: @tick.mitt
* Where to Buy: Amazon, Petco, and Bass Pro Shops
Connect with Adam Peek
* LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/adampeek
* TikTok: @thelabelking
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