Tulane University alumnae Taylor Servetnick and Millie Densing are paving the way for future innovators at Tulane. The pair created Stakt, an award-winning fitness equipment brand designed to elevate the exercise experience.
Prior to creating Stakt, Densing and Servetnick met as students and quickly developed a strong friendship that would later evolve into a business partnership.
“Tulane was incredibly formative; it gave us the confidence to think independently and creatively,” Servetnick said. “While Stakt didn’t exist yet, it’s where the early seeds were planted around wellness, design, and building something of our own.”
Their academic paths also played a role in shaping the company as Servetnick studied marketing and Densing studied psychology.
“Both ended up being very relevant,” Servetnick said.
Stakt was born out of the realization that traditional yoga mats no longer cut it for their workouts. The pair set out to design a new type of mat – one that is foldable, functional and versatile.
Like many startups, Stakt’s journey came with its share of challenges.
“Manufacturing and product development were major learning curves,” Servetnick said. “We faced setbacks, but stayed scrappy, learned quickly, and focused on solving problems one step at a time.”
What began as a single product has since expanded into a broader vision.
“We started with one hero product. Now, we’re building a broader, design-led fitness brand focused on products that fit seamlessly into everyday life,” Servetnick said.
Their appearance on Shark Tank marked a major milestone for the company, bringing national attention to their brand and story.
“It was intense but incredible,” Servetnick said. “We prepared heavily, refining our story, knowing our numbers, and then focused on staying confident and authentic in the moment.”
She said that the skills they developed during their time at Tulane helped them build confidence in communication and thinking on their feet, which was key during the pitch.
As Stakt continues to grow, Densing and Servetnick remain focused on impact.
“Seeing our products become part of people’s daily routines. And the opportunity to keep building, evolving, and growing the brand,” she said.