Stepping into a bustling public restroom, visitors may often notice how touchless sensors have automated nearly every fixture while standard toilet seats remain untouched by modern innovation.
When founder Leon Abravanel observed this gap in modern sanitation in 2025, he set out to engineer a practical alternative for high-traffic facilities. His regional venture created The Looey, a foot-operated mechanical device designed to modernize public restrooms.
“The original spark was simple. I was tired of having to touch and handle toilet seats in public restrooms,” Abravanel said. “As we looked into the problem, we realized nearly everything else in a modern restroom was becoming hands-free, but there was still no practical solution for the toilet seat itself.”
Bringing a hardware product from initial design concepts to market readiness posed immediate engineering and logistics hurdles. The development process required balancing component durability, precise installation fits and complex international trade tariffs.
“One of the biggest challenges has been taking an idea from nothing and turning it into a product we are proud to bring to market,” Abravanel said. “Every detail matters, and getting the design, function, materials and manufacturing right takes time.”
Unlike electric bidets or complex electronic hardware, the company focused on creating a purely mechanical mechanism built to handle high commercial foot traffic. This straightforward design solves a widespread public cleanliness concern while keeping installation hassle-free for facility operators.
“The Looey solves a simple but universal problem: people do not want to touch toilet seats,” Abravanel said. “Our product gives users a clean, hands-free way to lift and lower the seat, without requiring electricity, batteries or plumbing modifications.”
Early manufacturing milestones required extensive iteration to ensure components could withstand repetitive daily use across commercial properties. Overcoming these bottlenecks depended on testing diverse material combinations and partnering with experienced industry specialists.
“One of our biggest early roadblocks was turning a simple idea into a product that could be manufactured reliably, affordably and at scale,” Abravanel said. “Each design decision affected durability, installation, cost and even tariffs, so there was no room to rush the process.”
“What sets us apart is that we are first to market with a practical solution to a real, everyday problem,” Abravanel said. “The Looey was not created to add another feature to a restroom, it was created because people genuinely do not want to touch toilet seats in public spaces.”
Industry observers often assume that commercial restroom hardware leaves little room for new inventions or technological growth. In reality, meeting rigid accessibility codes, installation standards and durability requirements requires extensive background engineering.
“People often assume restroom products are simple or that there is not much room left for innovation,” Abravanel said. “In reality, even a product that solves one obvious problem has to meet demanding standards for durability, accessibility, installation, maintenance and everyday use.”
Market traction accelerated rapidly when prominent regional institutions adopted the hardware for their high-traffic public venues. Initial installations at UC San Diego Health and the Tahoe Blue Event Center provided critical validation for the commercial design.
“Securing UC San Diego Health and the Tahoe Blue Event Center as early customers was a major milestone for us,” Abravanel said. “They are both highly respected, high-profile organizations, and their willingness to adopt The Looey validated that we were solving a real problem.”
Behind every streamlined product lie years of rigorous testing, component sourcing and supply chain strategy that remain unseen by facility visitors. Stripping away operational complexity for end users required rigorous mechanical testing and patience behind closed doors.
“Customers might be surprised by how much work goes into making a product that appears so simple,” Abravanel said. “Behind the scenes, we have spent years refining the engineering, testing materials, solving installation challenges, managing manufacturing and navigating tariffs.”
The enterprise aims to cultivate an atmosphere of cleanliness, comfort and reliability for venue visitors across all partner facilities. Company leaders hope patrons feel clean, comfortable, confident and impressed whenever they encounter the brand.
“We want people to immediately understand the value of The Looey and feel like they are experiencing a smarter, more thoughtful restroom solution,” Abravanel said.
Looking toward the future, the company is focusing on establishing Northern Nevada as its primary hub for growth and community partnerships. Leadership aims to expand local installation networks so regional venues become national showcases for the technology.
“One of our most exciting goals is making Northern Nevada the home of The Looey,” Abravanel said. “We are actively building relationships with local businesses, facilities and community partners to introduce the product throughout the region.”
Navigating long production timelines has underscored the necessity of perseverance and clear customer focus for emerging business owners. Abravanel believes enduring success comes from solving authentic everyday problems through steady refinement.
“Be patient, but keep moving,” Abravanel said. “Building a business takes longer than expected, and there will always be setbacks, changes and uncertainty.”
Learn more about the company at thelooey.com or contact Abravanel directly at [email protected].
