Deep Everglades – Protection Reimagined

At 34 years old, Anthony “Romeo” Payne Jr. is redefining what protection looks like.

Born and raised in Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Romeo grew up surrounded by water, woods, and relentless summer insects. For most people, bug bites are a nuisance. For him, they were a serious issue. Highly sensitive to bites, he frequently experienced allergic reactions, breakouts, and hives. And for reasons he still jokes about, maybe it is sweet blood, insects have always been drawn to him.

Instead of accepting it, he created a solution.

Deep Everglades was developed in the spring of 2023 while Romeo was serving as General Manager of a resort in Port of the Islands, Florida. Living and working in one of the most mosquito dense regions in the country, he needed something that worked without relying on harsh chemicals.

He formulated his own.

The product was first tested in Florida’s heat, humidity, and heavy mosquito conditions. That same summer, Romeo brought it back to Minnesota and tested it against horse flies, ticks, and the famously aggressive northern mosquitoes. It proved effective across climates, regions, and insect types.

After two years of hands-on testing and refinement, Romeo realized he had not simply created a personal remedy. He had developed an entirely new category.

Deep Everglades is positioned as a Luxury Skin Defense, a multi-use botanical formula designed to protect, nourish, and perform. It functions as an insect defense, a moisturizer, a sun protective barrier, and offers water resistance for a measured duration. Unlike conventional repellents that rely on synthetic chemicals such as DEET, Romeo’s formulation is built with non-toxic, naturally derived ingredients designed to be gentler on the skin.

The product has been voluntarily tested across a wide age range, from toddlers to senior citizens, reinforcing its versatility and skin-friendly performance.

When Deep Everglades officially launches, Romeo will debut a Limited Edition Gold Shimmer formula, an elevated version of the product designed to combine protection with a subtle, luxury finish. The shimmer launch represents the brand’s identity: functional, refined, and visually distinctive.

Looking ahead, Romeo’s expansion strategy is ambitious and hospitality focused. His goal is to secure placement with a major cruise line and boutique or luxury hotel properties, positioning Deep Everglades as an essential amenity for travelers in tropical and coastal environments. The long-term vision also includes a Deep Everglades pets line, extending the brand’s natural defense philosophy to companion animals.

An entrepreneur at heart, Romeo has built strong retail relationships across Florida, Colorado, and Minnesota. Multiple locations have expressed interest in carrying the product based solely on his demonstrations and brand presentation. There has also been early interest from a contact connected to Shark Tank, as well as attention from a major beauty brand, strong signals that the concept resonates beyond regional markets.

Deep Everglades is not simply another jar on a shelf. It represents resilience, innovation, and the merging of wilderness with refinement.

From Minnesota’s lakes to Florida’s mangroves, Romeo transformed a lifelong irritation into a scalable luxury brand. Deep Everglades is protection reimagined.

“It's not DEET, it’s DEEP!” Deep Everglades!