— Insect repellent clothing is not exactly a “new” idea for hunters, outdoorsmen or the military. In fact, it was first developed for military use, says
founder Barb Owen-Boerger.
But making it pretty enough to wear to the beach, or an outdoor concert, or a pontoon excursion on the lake? That’s where the Detroit Lakes entrepreneur thought she could make her mark.
“Men have known about insect repellent clothing for years,” says Owen-Boerger. “Women? Not so much.”
But the benefits are obvious, she added. Bug spray — especially the type that truly repels harmful pests like ticks and mosquitoes — often has a harsh, unpleasant smell, which permeates any surface it is applied to, whether it’s clothing or skin. And the chemicals in the spray can be harsh on sensitive skin as well.
But her Getaway Kimonos, which are treated with the chemical insecticide
are both lightweight and odorless.
“They smell like whatever detergent you’re using,” says Owen-Boerger, adding that one of her garments can withstand at least 70 washes without losing its effectiveness as a repellent.
And permethrin repels a wide range of pests, from mosquitoes and ticks to flies, ants and even lice and bed bugs, which makes her kimonos useful for far more than just covering up a swimsuit at the beach.
Contributed / Getaway Kimonos
“Some of the illnesses you can pick up (from insects) are pretty severe,” she said, noting that they can occasionally cause life-altering health complications, or even death.
While clients may still have to apply a repellent spray or lotion to areas not covered by the garment, like the face and feet, her kimonos are pretty long, and are designed to cover most of the body.
They’re also pretty loose, she said, adding, “It’s basically a wrap with arm holes.” That means they will fit a wide range of body types, which was done for practical reasons, as she can’t keep a huge inventory of different sizes and colors in stock.
Contributed / Getaway Kimonos
“I have to order them in batches (of 200) so every time I add a color, it costs thousands of dollars,” she explained, noting that she has partnered with
a company that is well-respected in the industry for its work in developing permethrin-treated clothing, to keep her supplied with product.
“They have an EPA-registered, proprietary process that binds the insect repellent to the fibers of the fabric, ” she explained. “So I get the benefit of working with a top company — a well-known brand in the industry. It also makes me feel good about what I’m using and how it’s applied and how it performs.”
Because she has to buy her inventory in bulk, it means that there are basically three color/style options available, Owen-Boerger added, though she could expand that in the future if customer demand warrants it.
Currently, the bulk of her clientele is online, she said, though she is in the process of expanding to include a few wholesale customers who will be selling her kimonos in their stores, such as the Lakeshirts Beach Shop, where she had a pop-up launch on Tuesday, July 1. She has a small fulfillment center in downtown Detroit Lakes for packaging and shipping orders, she added.
Though she makes her home in Detroit Lakes, Owen-Boerger can often be found on the road to or from her hometown, International Falls, where her husband operates a successful business. She also finds time when she can to visit her two sons, ages 21 and 23, who live in the area.
“They’re both young adults,” she said. “They’re in the process of trying new things, figuring things out.”
Contributed / Getaway Kimonos
As for Owen-Boerger, she is enjoying the process of settling into Detroit Lakes, where she moved for a job opportunity “almost two years ago.”
Though the job ultimately didn’t work out, she ended up staying because she fell in love with the community and its people.
“I had no idea what Detroit Lakes was all about when I moved here,” she said. “But I was committed to being here, and I really fell in love with it almost immediately.
Vicki Gerdes / Detroit Lakes Tribune
“I found the community to be extraordinarily friendly and welcoming — and supportive.”
Her idea for Getaway Kimonos was always something she’d had in the back of her mind, but she didn’t really think about starting a business with it until she saw some information about
the new Pitch 412 entrepreneur competition
that was started by Project 412 last year.
She applied and
for the live pitch competition, where
behind winners Lillie’s Lollipops. Besides the cash prize that came with her placement, that process also introduced her to a lot of contacts and resources that led to
the formal launch of her online business
this spring.
