By Sean Patrick Murphy
The “unbearable” odor from smelly soccer shoes was the catalyst that resulted in Skunkies.
Skunkies, three by five cloth satchels, eliminate odor, absorb moisture, and prevent odor causing bacteria.
The product, which has sold hundreds of thousands, was the brainchild of Jill Levin and Annemarie McCartney, both of Voorhees. Skunkies are going on their fourth year.
Levin said she and McCartney were on their way to a soccer tournament and had a bunch of boys in the back seat who were changing their shoes and the smell that emanated was “unbearable.”
Levin said she learned from a marketing guru in New York City who said take your worst problem and remedy it and that’s how people start businesses.
The Skunkies slogan is “Get the Stink Out.”
Levin has three kids and McCartney has four. Six are boys and one is a girl.
At first the pair started giving Skunkies out to people and then some people wanted to buy them.
“We knew we were on to something,” Levin said, noting they were making them in the house at the time.
Their big break happened while attending an indoor soccer tournament at City College in New York and gave referees Skunkies. Also at the event was the chairman of the board of Bed Bath & Beyond, whose son was playing soccer.
Levin said he “flipped over the product.”
Skunkies can be found in Bed Bath & Beyond, Kids Footlocker, and Famous Footwear. Also, Levin and McCartney were recently featured on QVC.
They were written up on www.womenentrepreneur.com and in the “Philadelphia Inquirer.”
At first Skunkies, which are sold in pairs, were for sporting equipment but people have found other applications for them like laundry baskets or cars.
Then, a 100 year-old sock company in Camden, Standard Merchandising, asked to partner for manufacturing and distribution. So now Levin and McCartney now have sales reps across the country.
“Our product we’re proud to say is still made in the U.S.A.,” Levin said. “Right in Camden, New Jersey.”
Non-toxic and environmentally friendly, the pair tested Skunkies on friends and children.
Levin said kids are trading them because of the images on the Skunkies (there are 25 different ones) like a peace sign or a zebra pattern.
Also, there are three scents available: baby powder, extreme sport, and candy.
They are designed to last about six weeks depending on usage.
Levin would not reveal the main ingredient that goes into Skunkies.
“Skunkies has been a fun road to travel,” McCartney said. “We are enjoying and taking in every aspect of this journey we can only hope it keeps going.
“The people we have met on the way have been great it gives a new aspect to the world,” she added. “People do love to help and support other people.”
McCartney said she and Levin talk to a lot of other women entrepreneurs and check out their websites.
The challenging part of running a small business is the time and energy. McCartney is a very busy mom with four kids in four different schools. Her oldest going to college this year while her youngest is going to second grade.
“My boys play very serious soccer we travel around a lot for soccer games,” she said.
“I love that Skunkies are being loved by other people,” McCartney said. “The most rewarding part is when some one comes up and states how much they love Skunkies [because] they have been trying other items and nothing has worked for the smell in their shoes.”
And what advice would McCartney give to a new businessperson?
“Believe in your product,” she said. “Talk about your product to lots of people because people love to hear about great ideas.
“Start out little, do not expect that much at the beginning, and then reach for the stars,” McCartney added.
Skunkies, which retail for anywhere from $4.99 to $8.99, can be found online at www.skunkies.net.
