We recently connected with Hunter Rohlfs and have shared our conversation below.

Hunter, appreciate you joining us today. Alright – so having the idea is one thing, but going from idea to execution is where countless people drop the ball. Can you talk to us about your journey from idea to execution?

During my senior year at Pace University, a spark ignited within me. My project studio professor, like a fairy godfather with an evil grin, said a phrase that crystallized a vision I was never able to put into words before: “A fucked up Disney movie.” This wasn’t a criticism, it was a coronation. Babyteeth was born.

Memories of childhood, drenched in the gaudy joy of my favorite board game Pretty Pretty Princess, danced in my mind. The questions began: What happens when the princess grows up? Does she have a badass older sister? Would six-year-old Hunter still think it’s cool?

It all started in my Brooklyn apartment. Clay became my medium, transformed into brightly colored rings. Cheap gemstones became glittering crowns, glued on with joyous abandon. This quickly evolved to gummy bears and conversation hearts made from resin. No object was safe from my krazy glue!

But every fairytale needs a shadow. To balance the energy of the rings, I began photographing them while wearing long black gloves and plastic Halloween fingers. These are contrasting elements that bleed into all aspects of my life – from art, to fashion, to interior design.

With my thesis quickly approaching, I knew I needed a way to present my rings to the world. I landed on casting my hands, first out of plaster, then wax to make lifelike sculptures that doubled as ring holders. One hand mirrored my own, painted on tattoos and all, the other a darker reflection, its fingers elongated like the Other Mother from Coraline.

After graduation, I decided to give my children a more permanent home and took to Etsy. To my surprise, I wasn’t alone in my love for bright colors and chunky designs. It seemed a universal yearning existed, a desire to reclaim the childlike joy that we often try to burry deep inside.

Running a small business is hard work. I have so much respect for the people that are out here really doing it. I learned a lot about myself and what I enjoy while designing the packaging, connecting with customers, and product photography. Most importantly, it was a canvas for self-expression, and a chance to translate my inner world into tangible art.

This journey wasn’t just about creating Babyteeth. It was about creating myself– a more confident artist. And that, to me, is the most magical transformation of all.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m an artist, photographer, horror movie enthusiast, and most notably a cat mom. I also work for a chemical engineering company and am the director of community engagement at a social first content studio called Antisocial.

My dad is an artist so I’ve been a creative since I could hold a crayon. One of my most vivid memories from childhood is being on an airplane with my dad and him telling me to outline and shade in the characters, rather than free coloring on the page. It was cutthroat in my household!

I’ve always seen myself as a wearer of many hats. When I tell people I work in chemical engineering but am also an artist they look at me like I’m crazy but it has worked for me. Chemical engineering has given me the flexibility to really explore what fulfills me creatively and that’s a privilege I’ve never taken for granted.

Most recently, I was brought on as a still photographer for the upcoming short film When Everything Was Blue, a narrative about a 9/11 first responder dealing with the health effects of the event 10 years later. I feel so lucky to be attached to such an important project and had so much fun with the talented cast and crew.

I’ve also been finding fulfillment in helping to shape Antisocial. We specialize in social strategy and execution for startups and brands of all sizes. Building a social presence isn’t a commodity, it’s a necessity and I think the brands that are utilizing platforms like TikTok and Instagram daily are doing it right and are ahead of the game.

A dream project for me would be bts photography on a horror film so I’m manifesting that for 2024!!!

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

For brands, I’ve learned that the magic formula for social media is consistent content output and a thoughtful creative strategy. With this formula, you stay visible, maintain relevance and continuously add value. Regular interaction through valuable content builds relationships and engagement which naturally builds a community and brand. Numbers don’t lie.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

The Sofia Coppola Archive was/is a game changer for me. She is mother of course but she’s also one of my biggest inspirations. Her film photos from set are what made me want to be a bts photographer, but she also has so many cool stories about how she never sacrificed her vision and took up space as a woman on set. One day I will splurge and get a Contax and it will be all her fault.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.babyteeeth.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunterohlfs/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunter-rohlfs-874819157/