Today we’d like to introduce you to Justinia Gardiner
Hi Justinia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Believe it or not, I started this business as a side hustle while juggling life as a busy mom of three (soon to be four, thanks to an unexpected surprise!). I don’t have a background in CPG, but in 2020, as the world shut down, parents of young kids were doing everything they could to escape the monotony of lockdown life. For me, that meant frequent beach trips with my family. But after countless days battling sticky sunscreen-covered hands and sandy messes, I knew there had to be a better way.
Determined to simplify sunscreen application, I created SunnyStik—the first sunscreen applicator designed specifically with kids in mind. After extensive testing (with plenty of help from my own children), I developed a patent-pending design featuring a detachable connector piece for easy cleaning and precise coverage. The result? A fast, mess-free, and effective way to apply sunscreen, even on the squirmiest kids.
Since its launch, SunnyStik has quickly gained a loyal following of parents eager to make sunscreen time less of a battle. With plans to expand the product line and introduce new accessories, SunnyStik is on a mission to revolutionize sun protection for families everywhere.
What started as my quest for a beach-day solution has grown into a game-changing innovation, making sunscreen application faster, cleaner, and more kid-friendly than ever before.
At SunnyStik, our mission is to simplify sunscreen application for families, transforming it from a daily struggle into a quick and mess-free experience. Through innovative, kid-friendly designs, we aim to empower parents with tools that make sun safety easy, fun, and effective—helping families enjoy more smiles, less stress, and healthier habits in the sun.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Bringing SunnyStik to life has been anything but a straight path. With no background in consumer packaged goods (CPG), I’ve had to learn everything from scratch, from product design to branding to manufacturing.
It all started with a simple idea sketched on paper—a solution to make sunscreen application faster, cleaner, and more kid-friendly. I knew what I wanted, but I didn’t have the skills to bring it to life. So, I turned to Upwork and connected with a talented freelancer who helped create a 3D prototype of my product. That first collaboration was a lucky break and the designer has since become an essential part of my journey, working with me to expand the SunnyStik product line with new sun-care solutions in the works.
But not every step came easily. Finding the right people for logo creation, packaging design, and developing the brand’s mascot took a lot of trial and error. There were times when I felt out of my depth, but I kept pushing forward, determined to build a brand that truly made a difference for parents like me.
Throughout the process, I realized that breaking into the CPG world is all about connections. By reaching out to other founders, asking questions, and learning from their experiences, I’ve found a community of support that has helped me navigate the challenges of starting a product-based business.
Now, SunnyStik is more than just a solution, it’s a growing brand with big plans. We’re expanding into new sun-care products designed to make outdoor adventures even easier for families. What started as my personal frustration during beach trips has turned into a mission to simplify sun protection—making it faster, cleaner, and more effective for parents everywhere.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about SunnyStik?
At SunnyStik, we specialize in making sunscreen application fast, easy, and mess-free, especially for parents with young kids. Our patent-pending sunscreen applicator was designed with families in mind—offering a simple, effective way to protect children’s skin without the hassle of greasy hands or sandy messes.
What sets SunnyStik apart is its innovative design. The detachable connector piece allows for easy cleaning and precise application on tricky areas like noses, ears, and hands. It’s perfect for on-the-go sun protection—whether at the beach, pool, park, or playground. Parents love it because it cuts sunscreen time in half, and kids love it because it makes the process fun and fuss-free.
What we’re most proud of is how SunnyStik is changing the sun-care experience for families. Applying sunscreen is no longer a dreaded chore—it’s quick, clean, and even enjoyable. Knowing that we’re helping parents spend less time wrestling with sunscreen and more time making memories outdoors is incredibly rewarding.
We want your readers to know that SunnyStik is more than just a product, it’s a time-saving, stress-reducing solution designed to make outdoor adventures easier. We’re committed to expanding our line with new sun-care products and accessories that continue to simplify sun protection for busy families.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The quality I believe is most important to my success and the success of the brand is a relentless drive for innovation and a willingness to embrace disruption in the sunscreen space. Staying ahead means constantly challenging the status quo, even in a competitive market led by major labels and rethinking how customers apply and detect sunscreen application. In working to minimize (or better yet – eliminate!) some of the daily struggles parents face with sunscreen application, we’re aiming to create an entirely new category in the sunscreen aisle. By prioritizing adaptability and forward-thinking, I’m able to spot opportunities for growth and differentiation, even in competitive markets.
Pricing:
- SunnyStik – $15.99
- Replacement Connectors – $5.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sunnystik.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnystik.official/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunnyStik
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sunnystik/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sunnystik.official
