A parched economy hasn’t deterred entrepreneurs from acting on their dreams – and launching new businesses. Southwest Florida’s latest crop of startups includes three that could make this long, hot summer more comfortable for consumers.

Their products: A no-see-um repellent, a cami counterfeit and a mobile grocery store.

Here’s a closer look at their plans:

No No-See-Um

Caroline Semerjian’s no-see-um repellent, No No-See-Um, has been spritzed on vacationers and locals throughout the islands for about a year.

The repellent is a blend of lemongrass, citronella and geranium oils that wards off no-see-ums, a kind of gnat that is prevalent on Southwest Florida’s coastline and in other parts of the U.S.

Semerjian, a Sanibel resident who also runs a Web development company, said interest in the repellent is on the rise.

Businesses and resorts on the islands such as Bailey’s General Store, Jerry’s Foods, Tarpon Bay Explorers and H20 Outfitters are selling the repellent — about 40 outlets in all across Sanibel, North Captiva, Fort Myers Beach, Useppa and Bokeelia, Semerjian said.

The company’s biggest clients buy as many as two, 96-bottles cases every four to six weeks, she said.

Kip Buntrock, who helps Semerjian market the product, said the bottles retail for anywhere from $9.95 to $12.95, and Semerjian’s company, Velmaxxx Enterprises, sells the each bottle for $5.97 at wholesale.

As businesses become more interested in the product, Semerjian moved development of the spray to a Pennsylvania-based manufacturer that whips up about 5,000 bottles at a time.

Since January, she’s sold about 6,200 bottles of No No-See-Um, she said.

“It’s exciting,” she said. “I’m tired of sitting behind a computer screen all day.”

So far Semerjian has invested $10,000 in launching the business and developing the product.

“I’m trying to make this to where I don’t have to get investors, so I’m just starting small and every penny that I make goes right back into the production,” she said.

— Staff writer Laura Ruane contributed to this report.

* Contact: 872-216-2847 or nonoseeum.com to purchase retail or wholesale.