Allyson McTear, Founder of Lokks

People in Places feature by Sheila Turner-Hilliard

Photos courtesy of Allyson McTear

Lokks: A Fun, Fashionable Way to Keep Laces Tied

Attention parents, coaches and teachers! Are you tired of tying, retying and unknotting your kids’ shoelaces? What if there was a simple and stylish way to keep those laces snug all day long? Impossible you say? Not anymore!

Introducing Allyson McTear, Newtown Square resident and Founder of Lokks — a fun, fashionable way to keep shoelaces tied. Lokks work by holding laces tight simply by sliding them over the knots and “lokking” them shut. Lokks come in five fun designs, are easy for kids of all abilities to put on, and are perfect for all types of activities.

Allyson McTear, Newtown Square resident and Founder of Lokks, holding her ticket to participate in QVC's Fall 2020 'The Big Find' contest

Many popular products are born out of necessity, and Lokks is no different. Like every other busy parent, Allyson spends most of her free time watching her four kids compete in sports, take dance lessons and play with friends. And while she enjoys those special moments, there has always been one thing bothering her: the dreaded shoelaces.

A few years back while watching her son’s basketball game, Allyson remembers that play had to be stopped repeatedly, to tie shoelaces. “It was so disruptive to the game, and players and parents were frustrated!” said Allyson. “I have tied and retied my four kids’ shoelaces, loosened triple knots with my teeth, and hoped for the best as I’ve watched my kids run around when their laces came untied.” After that game, Allyson went home determined to find a solution.

She started with a simple hairclip that she slid over the knot. While that did a decent job, it didn’t take long for her kids to refuse to wear their mom’s hairclips on their sneakers and cleats. But Allyson felt that she was onto something, so she continued to experiment, do research and have faith that she could find a solution. As a former attorney, she knew she could handle certain tasks involved, but needed help getting started. Allyson found a local product designer in West Chester, who helped bring her idea to life.

Lokks — a fun, fashionable way to keep shoelaces tied. Lokks work by holding laces tight simply by sliding them over the knots and “lokking” them shut.

Allyson explained that it’s no easy task to take a product from an idea to production and finally to market.

There were a lot of extra steps that I didn’t anticipate,” Allyson said. “Add the pandemic into the mix, and the process took much longer!

Allyson admits there were times when she felt like putting things on hold and even giving up, but her husband Brian kept encouraging her to push forward. Looking back, she’s glad she did because the lessons learned and the people she met along the way have proved invaluable.

Lokks come in five fun designs, are easy for kids of all abilities to put on, and are perfect for all types of activities.

One major milestone on her journey was winning QVC’s The Big Find contest last fall. Allyson was among thousands of applicants who presented their products in hopes of winning an on-air time slot. “Lokks was the only children’s product that won!” said Allyson proudly. “We aired live in September, but due to COVID, the host was in the studio and I zoomed in from home.”

So, what’s next? Allyson is looking to partner with retail stores and add more designs to appeal to people of all ages and abilities. After all, does anyone out there like repeatedly retying shoelaces?!?

Allyson said that between the positive feedback from QVC and word of mouth, online sales have been brisk. Shoppers can browse and buy online at www.Lokks.co or by visiting Lokks on Facebook and Instagram.