Startup
Easy Clasp heads to market after TV win and patent approval
Founder Kayla Lokker’s mission to make jewelry easier to wear is garnering attention—and real traction.
The recent UW-Milwaukee graduate is the inventor of Easy Clasp, a retractable jewelry attachment that simplifies fastening necklaces, especially for people with mobility or dexterity challenges. What started as a classroom idea is now a patented product nearing its first full production run, following a string of wins for Lokker and her startup, Easy Wear Jewelry.
In April, Lokker appeared on the TV show Project Pitch It and walked away with the $10,000 top prize. “I’d never been on a TV set before, so that was a lot of fun,” she said. “Since the episode aired on April 19, my waitlist has grown to over 100 people. It’s been great to start getting feedback after working on this behind the scenes for two years.”
From sketch to showroom
The Easy Clasp, inspired by retractable badge reels, attaches to existing jewelry and eliminates the hassle of traditional clasps. Lokker spent months refining the design with a mechanical engineer and jewelry specialist—eventually producing 17 different prototypes before settling on the final version.
Getting it made, however, proved just as challenging as creating the design.
Earlier this year, Lokker traveled to China to work directly with the factory manufacturing her clasps. “I just knew I had to go in person,” she said. “There were small tweaks holding us back, and it was amazing to sit with the team and see the machines engraving and plating the clasps.”
That face-to-face meeting helped push production forward but then came another curveball: tariffs. The cost of importing her first 3,000 units suddenly skyrocketed to over $50,000.
“Thankfully, a tariff adjustment just went into effect for 90 days,” Lokker said. “Now it’ll be under $10,000 to ship the order, which is such a drastic difference.” Lokker anticipates an official launch of the product in Q3.
“Goal setting, persistence, and teamwork have all played a role in helping me get this far.”
Kayla Lokker
Patents and plans
This spring, Lokker also received word that her U.S. patent was approved for issuance, a milestone nearly two years in the making. “We also filed a continuation to broaden the claims,” she said. “That way it’ll be harder for someone to spin off the design.”
She’s working with Milwaukee-based Culver Brand Design on her product launch, starting with direct sales through her website. Other retail channels, including Amazon, may follow. “We’ll experiment and see what sticks best,” she said.
Building more than a business
Even with her momentum, Lokker is quick to highlight the behind-the-scenes support that’s helped her reach this point.
“It is very challenging to start a business and navigate everything,” she said. “Regardless of your age or experience, having a support system is so important. I’ve been lucky to have amazing mentors, family, and friends behind me.”
With a patent in hand, inventory on the way, and a growing audience cheering her on, Lokker is preparing to bring her invention to market—and make jewelry more accessible for everyone.
To learn more about Easy Wear Jewelry, connect with the company here.
