Proud Friend Post
Hate ticks? Have you heard of tick socks?
My dear, dear friend Melissa, founder of Azulina Home, launched a new business called Guineas this month and I am so excited to tell you about it! The headline is - Guineas socks are tick-repellent socks for kids! You can find them on the Guineas website or on Amazon!
Before I do, let’s back up. I met Melissa in February of 2018, when our companies were put next to each other at a trade show in New York. We became fast friends, but little did I know she would become someone I cherish and talk to almost daily.
We were/are both solopreneuers and we quickly discovered that it was so hard to find anyone who would truly tell the real about their business. We decided early on in our friendship that we were going to be completely transparent with each other - we look at each other’s P&Ls, finances, tell each other when products flop, help each other problem solve, strategize, and dream. I have learned so much from Melissa and I know my own business wouldn’t be what it is today without her support and encouragement.
As an aside, I’d love to tell you all about Azulina, her first business, but we’re really here to talk about Guineas…so I’ll just say, I own literally (at least) one of everything from Azulina in my home. Her products are FANTASTIC. Below is what I own and LOVE.
Bath Mat, Door Mat, Black Lumbar (mine is on my loveseat), Cream Lumbar (on my bed), Bogota Pillow (I have 2 on my couch)
In October of 2022, Melissa and I went on a business retreat together to Sperryville, VA. As we were driving to go on a hike, Melissa started telling me about this idea she had for “tick socks.” She was telling me what a simple solution to such a big problem these permethrin treated socks could be. Truthfully, I knew very little at the time about Lyme disease, but because of her passion about this idea, I had a feeling the world would get these socks sooner than later!
She launched Guineas this week! If you have kids and they are going to be spending time outside this summer or at camp, definitely check them out!
I asked Melissa to answer a few questions for us so you can get to know her and her companies a little better!
How did you come up with the idea for Guineas?
Guineas is a new line of tick-repellent goods I’m super pumped about, so thank you for letting me share our story!! The idea was born out of a tick “incident” that occurred when I was 5 months pregnant.
My husband and I were out on a hike on New Year’s Eve. Soon after we got back, I noticed a tick scurry across my dog’s head and total panic set in.
For starters, I was confused, because I didn’t know ticks were out in December. And I was also terrified, because I didn’t want to get Lyme disease while pregnant. My husband was diagnosed with Lyme 9 years ago, and his tales of recovery and chronic Lyme are pretty rough. It’s a miserable disease, and it can be passed on in utero.
After 100 tick checks, we didn’t find any attached ticks (thank God), but the incident sat with me for years, and has intensified now that I’m a mom.
I’ve since learned that one of the most effective tick repellents is a synthetic compound called permethrin, which mimics a natural extract in chrysanthemum flowers. When bound to fabric, as we are doing with our socks, it’s invisible, odorless, residue-free, and most importantly, EPA-registered as safe for use by kids of any age (and even pregnant people).
Since ticks crawl from the ground up, you want to focus on the lower half of your body. When you wear tick-repellent socks and also spray your shoes with permethrin, which is what the experts recommend, it reduces your risk of a tick bite tremendously.
We’re starting the line with kids socks, but have plans to expand to adult socks and other goods as quickly as I can muster.
What lessons from Azulina are you taking into this new company?
This question makes me laugh because a lot of my lessons from Azulina are lessons in what not to do.
I used to be afraid that I needed everything to be perfect before launch, but I’ve since learned that talking to customers early and often, and iterating, is a far better approach to business, so that’s what I’m doing with Guineas.
For example, the first inventory order. My first order for Azulina in 2013 was an entire container of ceramics. A 20’ container, I kid you not. And I ordered it before I had a single customer. If you’re thinking of starting a business, DON’T DO THAT.
This time, my first inventory order is tiny. We are launching the collection with one design and two sizes. I have spent hours talking with potential customers, and experts in the industry, and almost zero time worrying about my website or branding.
What's your favorite part of being an entrepreneur? Least favorite?
The coolest thing about being an entrepreneur is having the freedom to do what feels authentic to me, to work on things I’m really good at, and to delegate what I suck at (i.e. bookkeeping).
My least favorite parts are financial instability and loneliness. That’s why I am so thankful for Abby and our friendship, because we connect multiple times a week and are basically coworkers at this point. As most entrepreneurs can attest, it can be a very lonely road.
If you have any questions about Guineas, the socks, or anything you’ve read here, please post below and we’ll make sure to answer!
xo,
Abby & Melissa
Living in Minnesota and having a cabin up north… ticks are a real problem.. can’t wait for the adult sizes 🥰
Sounds cool! Would love some for adults when they are ready :-)