Simsbury Native Releases Innovative Hair Accessories for Athletes

From Pretty Knotty: Pretty Knotty, owned by Simsbury High School graduate, Shelly Nicholas, announces the launch of Fit Ties – the first performance hair accessories created for athletes and active users. The patented, low-profile design, innovative manufacturing process, and proprietary material blend combined to create a durable product that keeps hair securely in place while reducing friction on hair. All products are made in the USA.

The idea for the product stemmed from a lifetime of playing competitive sports with long hair. Nicholas, whose maiden name is Ouellette, played many sports while living in Simsbury. “Athletics have always been an important part of my everyday life. I really developed my appreciation for sports and playing on teams while growing up in Simsbury,” Nicholas recalls. “My sister and I played soccer for the town, were involved in little league, and were Simsbury Sprinters.” While attending SHS, Nicholas played varsity soccer, JV ice hockey, and was the lacrosse captain.

After graduating from SHS, Nicholas attended Fordham University where she played rugby. “I constantly struggled to find a hair tie or hair elastic that could offer the support that I needed when training and competing. I’ve tried all of the options that are available on the market, but they either broke too easily, slid out of my hair, or damaged my hair,” said Nicholas who began developing the idea while studying for her MBA at the University of Connecticut.

The idea gained traction when Nicholas connected with Co-Owner and VP of Operations, Jacob Eberhart. “Throughout our product development, we knew the core of our product was function, so our low-profile design is based around performance. Along the way, we utilized high-tech materials and invented a new manufacturing method within the industry,” said Eberhart.

Pretty Knotty proudly manufactures in the USA and all packaging and shipping materials are produced domestically as well. “One of my proudest accomplishments is the sticker on our package that says “made in the USA,” says Eberhart. “It is the sign of our commitment to bringing jobs and industries back to America.” As a result of years of hard work and research, Pretty Knotty is excited to release Fit Ties on February 1, 2017.

About Pretty Knotty: Pretty Knotty makes hair accessories for athletes. They are a woman-owned business based in Newport, RI that manufactures in the USA. They are also members of The Milspo Project and INC Magazine’s Military Entrepreneurs Program.

Photos courtesy of Pretty Knotty