If you live in the Midwest, you know that summertime means mosquito time. Freda Sojka, founder and CEO of Simply Soothing, has created a solution to keep the bugs away. Inspired by the needs of her family and with the help of her daughter, Bug Soother was born.
It all began back in 2003. Hoping to spend more time with her family, Freda and her daughter, Nikki, started Simply Soothing. Back then, they made such products as shea butter, bath and body products, and candles. It was successful enough for Freda to take an early retirement and devote herself full-time to her new endeavor.
In 2008, inspired by her grandson’s sensitivity to bug bites, Freda concocted a gentle, DEET-free bug repellant. Samples of the bug spray proved to be extremely gentle, yet effective. Word spread, and it sold out faster than it could be produced.
People in their hometown in Iowa began to call Bug Soother, “The Scent of Summer” as parents would spray it on their kids during their baseball games, and the scent would carry through the stands. With a scent similar to lemony baked goods, it smells appealing yet keeps the bugs at bay.
Bug Soother started off as a family company, and the family’s involvement has only grown. Not only is Freda’s husband onboard along with many of their children, but in addition, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends help out in various capacities, as well. Freda has a daughter right here in Brentwood, Missouri which brings Freda to the St. Louis area often. One of her St. Louis grandsons even packs Bug Soother in Kindness Bags that he passes out all over our area. Bug Soother has gained so much popularity, its reach has expanded both nationally AND internationally. You can even find Bug Soother in Scotland!
Bug Soother is extremely proud to be a small, woman-owned (and majority mom-run) business. As a woman, mom, grandma, and business owner, Freda lives by these words, encompassing the leap she took with her dream and her company:
I’ve spent my entire life relying on light bulb moments and jumping in full-force.
-Emily Weiss
We are so fortunate here in the Midwest, to have access to Bug Soother to help keep those pesky bugs away so we can enjoy our St. Louis summers!
