How Olivia Abrams Built TiCK MiTT: Retail Lessons from a Viral Tick Prevention Brand

Building a successful retail brand often starts with solving a problem people don't even realize they have. That's exactly what Olivia Abrams and her father did when they created TiCK MiTT, a chemical-free tick removal glove designed to help families remove ticks quickly and safely after spending time outdoors.

On this episode of Shelf Talks, I sat down with Olivia, co-founder and CEO of TiCK MiTT, to discuss how a family idea evolved into a viral product now sold online, on Amazon, in independent retailers, and through major national retail accounts. Along the way, she shares valuable lessons about product development, customer feedback, trade shows, inventory planning, retail growth, and preparing for opportunities like Shark Tank.

Whether you're building a seasonal product or preparing to pitch retail buyers, Olivia's journey offers practical advice every product-based founder can apply.

Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube using the links at the end of this article.

Why Tick Prevention Products Are Growing

Tick prevention has become an increasingly important category as more families spend time outdoors and awareness of tick-borne illnesses continues to rise. During the spring and summer months, ticks are most active across many parts of the United States, increasing the risk of exposure while hiking, camping, gardening, or even spending time in your own backyard. At the same time, pet ownership has grown significantly, leading more dog owners to look for simple ways to protect both their pets and their families after outdoor adventures.

Consumers are also shifting from reactive solutions to preventative habits. Instead of waiting until they discover a tick bite, many people are adding tick checks and prevention products to their regular outdoor routines. This growing focus on prevention has created opportunities for innovative products that make tick removal and daily tick checks easier, faster, and more effective.

For retailers, this trend represents a growing seasonal category with strong consumer demand. TiCK MiTT entered the market at the right time by offering an easy-to-use solution that encourages families to make tick prevention a regular part of enjoying the outdoors safely.

From Corporate Finance to Entrepreneurship

Before launching TiCK MiTT, Olivia Abrams was building a career in finance and venture capital. Growing up between New York City and upstate New York, ticks were simply part of everyday life, and the idea for TiCK MiTT had been part of her family's conversations for years.

Rather than rushing into business, Olivia prepared for it. She studied entrepreneurship, marketing, and business strategy while developing a business plan for TiCK MiTT during college.

When the pandemic arrived, she made the strategic decision to wait.

Launching an outdoor product while consumers were staying home didn't make sense. Instead, she continued building her experience until market conditions aligned with the product's opportunity.

Lesson 1: Timing Matters

Sometimes the smartest business decision is waiting until the market is ready.

Preparation often creates better opportunities than rushing to launch.

Building the Product Before Building the Brand

Long before the first sale, Olivia and her father spent years refining the product.

Manufacturing relationships were established through trusted referrals, prototypes were tested, branding was completed, and operations were organized before production began.

By the time TiCK MiTT officially launched, the company wasn't scrambling to solve manufacturing problems.

Instead, it was ready to focus on growth.

Lesson 2: Build the Foundation First

Strong operations create the confidence needed to scale when demand increases.

Why Customer Feedback Changed Everything

Like many founders, Olivia initially focused on selling online.

But the biggest breakthroughs happened when she met customers face-to-face.

Pet expos, outdoor festivals, lawn and garden events, and community gatherings gave her something digital marketing couldn't.

Real conversations.

Those interactions revealed an important insight.

Consumers understood bug spray.

They didn't always understand why daily tick checks were so important.

That feedback completely changed how TiCK MiTT communicated its value.

Website messaging improved.

Social content became more educational.

Marketing shifted from explaining features to demonstrating outcomes.

Lesson 3: Listen Before You Scale

Customers often tell founders exactly how to improve their business.

You simply have to listen.

Why Demonstration Products Perform So Well on Social Media

Some products are naturally visual.

TiCK MiTT became a viral product because consumers could immediately see the problem and the solution.

Videos showing ticks being removed from dogs after walks made an invisible problem visible.

Educational demonstrations helped consumers understand why tick checks matter while building trust in the product.

The same demonstrations also became valuable tools when speaking with retail buyers.

Products that clearly show their value often perform exceptionally well across TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts because viewers immediately understand how they work.

Building a Retail Strategy from Day One

Olivia always believed TiCK MiTT belonged in retail.

Its affordable price point, impulse appeal, and practical use made it an ideal fit for stores where consumers already shop for outdoor and pet products.

Rather than focusing on one retail channel, TiCK MiTT tested multiple opportunities, including:

• Direct-to-consumer sales.

• Amazon.

• Independent retailers.

• Pet stores.

• Hardware stores.

• Lawn and garden centers.

• Outdoor retailers.

The company quickly discovered that shelf placement mattered just as much as retailer selection.

Products placed near bug spray or flea and tick treatments consistently performed better.

Lesson 4: Placement Drives Performance

The right shelf location can dramatically improve product visibility and sales.

What Founders Can Learn From Their First Trade Show

When TiCK MiTT exhibited at Global Pet Expo, Olivia arrived with a small booth, a simple banner, and plenty of uncertainty.

Surrounded by massive displays from established brands, imposter syndrome quickly appeared.

Then buyers started stopping by.

Including Chewy.

That experience reinforced an important lesson.

Trade shows aren't competitions.

They're opportunities to:

• Learn buyer language.

• Build relationships.

• Gather feedback.

• Meet distributors.

• Connect with experienced founders.

Every conversation builds confidence.

Managing Rapid Growth

Success creates new challenges.

After TiCK MiTT sold thousands of units following national television exposure, inventory quickly became the company's biggest obstacle.

Then came Shark Tank.

Demand increased again while tariffs, shipping delays, and customs issues complicated fulfillment.

Instead of hiding the problem, Olivia communicated directly with customers, explaining delays and providing regular updates.

Transparency strengthened customer trust during one of the company's busiest periods.

What Shark Tank Taught Olivia About Preparation

Appearing on Shark Tank wasn't simply about delivering a great pitch.

Preparation became the competitive advantage.

Olivia studied previous episodes, anticipated investor questions, and divided responsibilities with her father.

She focused on marketing, customer insights, and category expertise.

Her father handled financials and operational questions.

Knowing the business inside and out allowed them to confidently answer whatever came their way.

Lesson 5: Preparation Creates Confidence

The more prepared you are, the more opportunities you can confidently pursue.

Staying Connected While Scaling

As TiCK MiTT has grown, Olivia has intentionally built a team while remaining close to customers.

She still believes founders should:

• Pack orders occasionally.

• Attend events.

• Read customer reviews.

• Talk directly with shoppers.

• Regularly evaluate how they spend their time.

Growth shouldn't create distance between founders and the people they serve.

Key Takeaways for Product-Based Founders

Olivia Abrams' journey demonstrates that successful retail brands are built through preparation, customer understanding, and persistence.

Her story reminds founders to:

• Launch when the timing is right.

• Build strong operational foundations.

• Listen to customer feedback.

• Demonstrate your product whenever possible.

• Use trade shows to build relationships.

• Prepare thoroughly for major opportunities.

• Stay connected to your customers as you grow.

Retail success rarely happens overnight.

It happens by consistently solving meaningful problems while continuing to learn from the people who use your products every day.

Want the Full Conversation?

Olivia Abrams shares even more insights on building TiCK MiTT, creating a viral product, preparing for Shark Tank, expanding into retail, and growing a purpose-driven business.

Listen to the full Shelf Talks episode:

Spotify: Listen Here

Apple Podcasts: Listen Here

YouTube: Watch Here