Lindsay Muscato, founder and CEO of TELETIES, never intended for her idea to become a household name.
“In my heart of hearts, I knew that it would be a very successful product, but I think, like anything else in life, you just kind of wanted to start small,” Muscato says.
Growing up playing soccer, Muscato often found herself on the sidelines with her head upside down, frantically trying to pull her hair back before returning to the field. Even at a young age, she thought there had to be a better solution. Later, as a busy mom on the go, she decided to create the solution herself.
Muscato boldly embarked on a mission to create a strong-grip, no-rip hair tie that gives back. She conceptualized designs, researched materials and tested prototypes to develop a hair tie that was not only functional, but also fashionable and less damaging to hair. Above all, Muscato wanted to create a product she would be proud to wear herself.
And thus, TELETIES were born.
Muscato’s solo mission soon became a group endeavor as she recruited her friends to help bring her vision to life. Operating initially out of her living room and garage, word of this revolutionary new hair tie got out and TELETIES took off. Needing more help and space, TELETIES moved into its current headquarters in Maitland, a location now home to new collection development, quality control and fulfillment.
Today, the brand can be found in retail stores in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. International retailers in Canada and Bahamas have helped launch the brand’s global expansion. Since its inception in 2017, the company has sold over 4 million packs of TELETIES, the equivalent to 12 million single TELETIE hair coils.
“We have heard so many stories about people trying our product once and never turning back to a traditional hair tie again,” Muscato says. “We are so fortunate to have so many people who really believe in our products and believe in the TELETIES story.”
As the business has prospered, so, too, has its charitable giving strategy. With every TELETIES purchase, the company donates to FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered). This nonprofit works to improve the lives of those affected by hereditary cancers, a cause that hits close to home for Muscato. Her grandmother passed away from breast cancer at the age of 36.
“I was never able to meet my grandmother,” Muscato says. “I’ve heard amazing stories about her, but it’s heartbreaking that she passed away at such an early age and there was nothing she could do about it.”
The Rollins College graduate promised to do her part to educate others and bring awareness to the BRCA1 mutation. Today, TELETIES has donated more than $160,000 to FORCE.
Muscato’s advice for other entrepreneurs beginning their journey?
“Tie your goals back to your mission. Stay true to yourself, stay true to your team and stay true to your mission.”