“I never would have dreamed that my future would be paved with so much sawdust, but now I wouldn’t have it any other way,” says Alexis Spadaro Thalhauser, founder of stylish wooden teether company, LexyPexy. Eschewing plastic and embracing fashion, Thalhauser launched the business intent on manufacturing in the United States, solely out of the sustainable material. ”There are a lot of benefits to wood: It’s attractive, durable, and nice to hold—but most importantly it’s a natural material. I think we have to be very careful about what we allow on our children’s skin or in their mouths,” Thalhauser says. “It would most definitely be cheaper to produce plastic rather than wood and in China instead of the US,” she adds, but she was intent on bringing to market a better product, one that spoke to her values and tastes.

Thalhauser originally studied acting and worked in the entertainment industry in LA, but made the entrepreneurial leap several years ago and has not looked back. With a host of adorable teethers to choose from –from boats, cars and taxis, to luxe ballet flats and green juice, the line has something sweet for every taste. Generally, she says, she launches two to three new designs a year, and this year, the designer’s looking forward to fresh exclusives and other exciting surprises with some big retailers.

Although she did not have connections in the retail industry when she started, Thalhauser says that she got out there and made them—something she encourages other new manufacturers with a great product to do. “I just walked into some of my favorite stores and started talking about my teethers. If you’re passionate about and believe in your product, someone will listen,” she says.

On both pictures : @sil_fash

Inspiration comes in all forms, she admits. “At first I drew mostly from my personal love of fashion (the Ava & Sophia are cases in point). Then it was food, including the wooden best-selling croissant,” she says. “There’s more yummy inspiration to come,” Thalhauser adds, hinting at a new design launching soon.

As a young company with a lot of energy, there are many growth opportunities, even, she says, beyond teethers, to textiles and other toys. Thalhauser is pleased with the growth of the brand and thanks the Instagram moms, the stockists and all the customers for her early successes. Of course, as with any small business, challenges come daily and prioritizing and delegating are critical. The later Thalhauser says, she finds difficult, as she’s happiest hands-on. Certainly, this designer, through her line of eco-friendly fashion forward gifts, is taking a bite out of the baby industry from home, in the Big Apple.

Above : @greyson_styles

www.lexypexy.com

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