The Lalapanzi Owners:

Hanlie Alberts, an entrepreneur with a keen designer eye, made the first Lalapanzi Bed™ in 2001. "I was so frustrated by the lack of truly elegant, yet practical and soothing travel beds for babies. I wanted a bed that was foldable but did not require assembly. Something that was stylish, plush and really comfortable for babies".

Co-founder Tanya Spoelstra met Hanlie shortly before her first son was born. Sharing common roots in South Africa, both families love to travel. Tanya mentions that her 5-year old completed eleven flights before he was fourteen months old. "Like most babies, he hated sleeping in any bed other than his own."

The inspiration for Lalapanzi Beds™ came in 2004 while on an annual skiing trip with friends in Mammoth. "We watched one couple's 14-month old snuggle up in her Lalapanzi Bed™ every day for naps and bedtime. She really loved her bed and had no problem sleeping in the unfamiliar environment because she was used to her comfy travel bed." That weekend the two friends joined forces and formed Lalapanzi Beds™.

Lalapanzi Beds™ is the second successful company Hanlie started. A previous company she formed with her husband holds a patent for a nightlight. When Hanlie is not in the design room or scanning fabric shows, you can find her on the soccer field or tennis court with her two sons.

Prior to forming Lalapanzi Beds™, Tanya spent seven years at  Merrill Lynch where she was Vice President and Finance Manager in their Small Business Banking Group. She has two boys, aged three and five, and often jokes that it's her third child - Lalapanzi - that never sleeps!