About the Company

Big Bee, Little Bee, founded by Amy Leinbach, is a company focused on developing innovative, environmentally conscious products designed for families. The company’s offerings include the popular ScrubBEE, a silicone scrubber, and a range of eco-friendly items meant to be reusable and convenient for parents and children. Amy positions the brand as “Big Bee” (herself) alongside her daughter as “Little Bee,” reflecting a family-centered ethos in each product’s design.

Big Bee, Little Bee stands out by integrating environmentally friendly practices. The company’s product line emphasizes longevity, sustainability, and ease of use, which appeals strongly to eco-conscious consumers. Amy and her daughter play an active role in testing and refining the products, ensuring they’re suitable for family life and built to withstand daily use.

The brand’s expansion gained traction after being featured on national platforms like Good Morning America and The View, reaching a wider audience and leading to additional retail opportunities. This exposure solidified the brand’s reputation as a go-to source for creative, sustainable household solutions.

Idea Behind Company

The idea for Big Bee, Little Bee originated from Amy’s desire to create a product her young daughter could use to clean herself independently. When traditional cleaning tools like washcloths and sponges proved difficult for her daughter to handle, Amy invented the ScrubBEE—a silicone scrubber with a shape and texture suited for small hands. She designed the product to empower her daughter while ensuring it was gentle yet effective.

Recognizing a gap in the market for child-friendly cleaning tools, Amy saw the potential for a business that emphasized function, safety, and eco-friendliness. As her daughter grew, Amy’s vision for Big Bee, Little Bee evolved, incorporating both her own passion for innovative design and her daughter's input to make products accessible for children and appealing to parents.

Amy was driven by her commitment to create products that aligned with her environmental values. She ensured that each item was reusable, easy to clean, and built to last, resonating well with environmentally-conscious families looking for durable products that reduce waste.

Creating the Company

Amy initially developed the ScrubBEE prototype by attaching a sponge to a lip balm container to create the right fit and functionality for her daughter’s small hands. Inspired by bee patterns, she integrated a hexagonal bristle design that offered a gentle yet effective cleaning experience. Collaborating with a 3D designer, she refined the design, focusing on child-friendly dimensions and textures.

Over time, Amy faced challenges in sourcing reliable manufacturers who could deliver quality products within her budget. Switching factories was costly but necessary to maintain product standards. Despite limited knowledge in product development initially, Amy learned the intricacies of manufacturing and design through trial and error.

Funding the company with her own savings, Amy bore the financial risks of mold production, sample costs, and inventory. This self-reliant approach allowed her to control the brand’s direction but required careful planning and resource management.

Launching the Business

Big Bee, Little Bee’s official launch took place with the release of ScrubBEE, initially targeting parents looking for practical cleaning solutions for their children. Amy relied on word-of-mouth marketing, encouraging early customers to spread the word, which was key to building an initial customer base. The ScrubBEE’s bright color and bee-inspired design made it eye-catching, drawing in parents looking for kid-friendly alternatives.

The business received a major boost in 2020 after appearing on Good Morning America and later on The View. This exposure expanded Big Bee, Little Bee’s visibility, leading to distribution deals with major retailers, including buybuy BABY. The media attention also validated the brand's products, reassuring potential customers of its quality and effectiveness.

Amy strategically expanded her product line to include additional sustainable options, positioning Big Bee, Little Bee as a go-to brand for eco-conscious parents. The company diversified its offerings to reach a broader audience and maintain momentum following its initial launch success.

Earnings

Big Bee, Little Bee’s revenue reached $20,000 per month, with growth fueled by both direct sales and wholesale partnerships. Sales surged following the media exposure, helping the company scale and secure deals with over 100 retail partners. However, supply chain disruptions in 2020 impacted revenue, limiting product availability for key sales periods.

To stabilize revenue streams, Amy has invested in diversifying sales channels, including Amazon, and has expanded her retail network to balance direct-to-consumer and wholesale sales. Careful financial planning has allowed the brand to maintain profitability even as Amy continues to self-fund and manage the majority of operations.

Amy’s vision for future growth includes expanding her product line and increasing SEO efforts to attract organic traffic. With plans to outsource certain tasks, she aims to scale Big Bee, Little Bee sustainably while preserving its core values and commitment to quality.