Melbourne Entrepreneurs Transform Mosquito Problem into Multi-Million Dollar Business
Two childhood friends from Melbourne, Michael Jankie and Gary Tramer, have turned a personal dilemma into a successful business, creating NATPAT, which has sold over 100 million mosquito-repelling and wellness stickers globally. The venture arose after Jankie’s daughter suffered from persistent mosquito bites during a family trip to the Mornington Peninsula, prompting Jankie to seek a natural solution.
Realising the impact of chemicals on children’s health, Jankie and Tramer decided to develop a more natural alternative. They envisioned a product that could serve as a personal mosquito repellent without resorting to harmful chemicals. The original concept centred on integrating citronella oil into a travel-friendly sticker that would effectively repel mosquitos.
After brainstorming the idea, the duo could not act on it until the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020. With both men working from home and reflecting on their past entrepreneurial adventures, they collaborated with scientists and Monash University to refine the product’s formulation. By mid-2020, they launched their first product, BuzzPatch, into the U.S. market just in time for summer.
These stickers, designed to release natural oils, including citronella, quickly gained popularity. Within their first year, the company achieved seven-figure revenues and continued to escalate, eventually reaching eight figures in the subsequent year. Now, five years later, Jankie reports that NATPAT operates in the mid-eight-figure revenue range.
The friendship between Jankie and Tramer spans over three decades; they met at the age of three and shared a history of entrepreneurship from a young age. Their foray into business started with selling lemonade and conducting various ventures, laying the groundwork for their future collaborations. After pursuing careers in live events and sales, respectively, they reignited their partnership in the tech sector before establishing NATPAT.
Adding to their team, the duo brought in Andrei Safonau, who adds distinct skills and experiences to the mix, facilitating a clear division of roles among the founders. Together, they have expanded beyond the initial mosquito-repellent stickers to include a range of wellness products—such as the SleepyPatch for bedtime relaxation and the SunnyPatch that alerts users when it’s time to reapply sunscreen—serving a variety of market needs.
NATPAT has recently started selling its products in Chemist Warehouse stores across Australia, alongside other retailers like Woolworths and Ampol Foodery. Tramer noted the shift in retail interest, highlighting that they’ve gained recognition as a serious player in the sector.
Going forward, Jankie and Tramer have aspirations to further expand their reach, engaging with major global retail chains in Europe, the UAE, and China. Their journey reflects not just personal ambition but a determination to address common family challenges with innovative solutions. The commitment to maintaining health-conscious, effective products for families continues to drive their business ethos.
Key Points:
- NATPAT Origins: Inspired by a personal experience with mosquito bites.
- Business Growth: Achieved significant revenue milestones rapidly, with over 100 million stickers sold.
- Product Diversification: Expanded offerings to include wellness-related stickers.
- Retail Expansion: Recently partnered with Chemist Warehouse, Woolworths, and Ampol Foodery in Australia.
- Future Plans: Aiming for global expansion into major markets.
This narrative of Jankie and Tramer serves as an inspiring example of how personal experiences can lead to significant business innovations, paving the way for a healthy lifestyle for families across Australia and beyond.
