April Robbins Angel Buck Corporation/Skitopel®
April Robbins, owner Skitopel.
Tell us about your business or cause.
We are the makers of Skitopel®, 100% all-natural insect repellent sprays and candles. Our unique formula incorporates the entire herb into each product, making it stronger and more effective at repelling a wide variety of bugs, including mosquitoes, gnats (all types), biting flies, chiggers, ticks, and more. We grow and harvest the herbs that go into each product.
Tell us about your team or volunteers.
We are a family business. I handle the day-to-day operations, from managing the herbs to contacting retailers to marketing. Joe handles the warehouse and shipping. Both me and Joe work together in the production of the products and attend events and markets. Our children volunteer their time when they can round it all out. At the same time, the grandchildren make appearances in videos supporting Skitopel.
Tell us about successful collaborations.
We are an official Illinois product designated by the state, which has helped us expand into several Illinois retailers. Many small Illinois retailers, such as Duda Ace Hardware, St. Peter's Hardware, and Troy Ace Hardware, gave us our start in the retail market. We also loved working with Sharon Wright Photography for product photos. She did an excellent job with all the photos she did for us and was very easy to work with.
What sets you apart from others in your industry?
Our unique formula is what sets us apart. All-natural insect repellents on the market now mainly use oils. On the other hand, we incorporate the entire herb into each product, making it stronger and more effective at repelling a wide variety of bugs. We even tested our sprays, which have been proven 100% repellent even at two-plus hours. Our candles bring much-needed variety to the market since the only thing out there is citronella candles. Our candles can also be used indoors to refresh the entire home, giving them a dual purpose.
How can Illinois Local members support your business further?
Illinois Local members can support us by following our social media pages, sharing our posts, telling others about us, and telling others where they can find our products in Illinois.