Easy Wear Jewelry launches, bringing student innovation to the market

When UW-Milwaukee graduate Kayla Lokker first imagined a better way to fasten jewelry, she was a junior taking an entrepreneurship class. Three years later, her invention, the Easy Clasp, a retractable jewelry fastener designed for people with limited mobility, is officially on the market through her company, Easy Wear Jewelry.

The launch marks the culmination of years of hard work and creativity for the young founder.

“It feels very surreal,” Lokker said. “I’ve been dreaming about being at this point for the last two and a half years, and now it’s here.”

Customers can now purchase the Easy Clasp on the company website, and the product is already available in select retail stores in New Jersey, Indiana and Florida. Lokker also plans to debut locally at the BizStarts Community Market, where customers can see and try the product in person.

Building a business from the classroom

The idea for Easy Clasp came after Lokker lost a diamond necklace her father had given her because she struggled with the tiny clasp. That experience sparked her determination to design a solution that made jewelry accessible for everyone, especially those with arthritis or limited hand mobility.

From her first prototype to patent approval and her appearance on Project Pitch It, Lokker has steadily transformed Easy Wear Jewelry into a growing business. Her story has inspired classmates and fellow entrepreneurs at UW-Milwaukee, where she recently returned to speak with students in the entrepreneurship certificate program.

“It was so cool to connect with students,” she said. “I know what it’s like to be where they are right now. If you really tap into the UW-Milwaukee resources around you and work hard, you can reap all the benefits from it.”

From startup to sales

Easy Wear Jewelry’s launch comes just in time for the holiday season. Lokker is working with PR agencies to promote the Easy Clasp as a thoughtful, practical gift. She is also collaborating with Maria Odenkirk, known online as The Mobility Queen, to raise awareness of products that make life easier for people with disabilities. The two will participate in a fundraiser climb at the Willis Tower to support the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

“I really want to get these clasps into the hands of people who need them the most,” Lokker said. “Sharing the word, trying the product, and passing it along to someone who struggles with mobility can make a big difference.”

Connecting through social media

Beyond retail expansion, Lokker has built an online community through Instagram, TikTok and Facebook where she shares behind-the-scenes stories, tutorials and reflections on entrepreneurship.

“Young moms love it because mornings are hectic, and the older community, especially fun grandmas on TikTok, have been amazing supporters,” Lokker said. “I want to show people what it’s like starting a business, not just the product itself.”

Lessons in entrepreneurship

Lokker credits her success to her tenacity and action-based approach to building her business.

“You have to start doing things before you feel ready,” she said. “If you wait for the perfect time, it’s never going to happen. You can’t be afraid to make mistakes. There’s so much you learn along the way.”

With a growing fan base, expanding retail presence and a product that solves a common problem, Easy Wear Jewelry shows how hard work and determination can turn a good idea into a promising business.