Today we’d like to introduce you to Safely – Ashley & Meagan Raymond & Doyle
Hi Safely – Ashley & Meagan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Safely was founded in 2021 by four women who met during a class project at the University of Texas, shortly after two students were tragically murdered on campus. This devastating reality, combined with the staggering statistic that 1 in 4 undergraduate female students experience rape or sexual assault, inspired us to take action.
In 2024, we launched our newest device, the patent-pending Safely Sidekick—an innovative self-defense tool designed to empower women with safety and confidence.
Beyond our products, we host safety events and share expert-backed tips to foster safer communities. Safely is more than a brand—it’s a movement to create a safer tomorrow.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but every challenge has taught us something invaluable and strengthened our commitment to Safely’s mission of creating a safer tomorrow. Starting Safely right out of college meant juggling personal lives with building a business from the ground up.
One of our biggest challenges was bringing an entirely new concept, the Sidekick, to life. Developing a patent-pending device that combines multiple safety tools into one required countless iterations, late nights, and navigating the complexities of manufacturing and supply chain logistics.
We’ve also faced hurdles as a business in the personal safety space, where our product is classified as a weapon on most platforms, limiting options for online advertising. Despite this, we’ve found creative ways to connect authentically with our audience.
The hardest truth is that we wish our business didn’t have to exist. If the world were a safer place, there wouldn’t be a need for Safely. Hearing stories from our community about the horrible situations they’ve faced can be incredibly heavy, but it’s a constant reminder of why this work is so important.
Through it all, we’ve stayed true to our mission—to create a safer tomorrow by empowering women with tools and knowledge to feel confident and prepared every day.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Safely, we are committed to empowering women by providing innovative self-defense products, sharing essential safety tips, and hosting community safety events. Our product line includes stylish and effective pepper sprays, practice sprays, and our patent-pending Safely Sidekick, a multi-functional safety device that was recently named the #1 multi-use tool by SafeWise.
Beyond our products, we actively educate communities through safety demonstrations and events, offering hands-on training and practical advice on personal safety. Safely is available in over 100 retail stores nationwide, including major retailers like Scheels and Fleet Feet, as well as online.
We are proud to be one of the only female-owned personal safety brands, which is surprising given the majority of personal attacks are on women. As women, we understand the importance of feeling safe and confident, which drives our mission every day.
We also share expert-backed safety tips on our Instagram, reaching millions and and fostering crucial conversations around personal safety. Additionally, we are advocating for change by leading a petition to reform New York’s restrictive pepper spray laws, aiming to make self-defense tools more accessible to those who need them. At Safely, we are not just providing products—we are creating a movement focused on safety, empowerment, and lasting change.
What makes you happy?
What makes us happiest is seeing the positive impact of what we do—whether it’s the confidence someone gains after learning how to use pepper spray or the immediate sense of empowerment we see when someone holds the Sidekick for the first time. It’s incredibly rewarding to see that spark of preparedness and strength.
We’re also inspired by the people we meet who are so moved by our mission, including self-defense experts, parents wanting to protect their children, and other businesses working to make the world a safer place for women. These connections open doors to collaborate with like-minded individuals and organizations that share our passion for making a change.
With each person we connect with, whether it’s teaching someone how to defend themselves or empowering a mother to feel secure while walking with her daughter, we know we’re helping to create a ripple effect where more people feel safer, more educated, and more empowered to take charge of their own safety. Knowing we’re playing a part in that gives us the motivation to keep pushing forward.
Pricing:
- Prices range from $6.99-$79.99
- Sidekick – $79.99
- Pepper Spray – $19.99
- Practice Spray – $6.99
- Other accessories available on our website!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://livesafely.co
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/safelyselfdefense
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/safelyselfdefense
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/safelyselfdefense
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@safelyselfdefense
- Other: https://tiktok.com/@safelyselfdefense
