We’re excited to share that Safely was recently featured on FOX 7 Austin’s Tierra’s Texas, a series celebrating the people, businesses, and ideas making an impact across the state.
The segment shared the story behind Safely, from four friends meeting at the University of Texas to creating a personal safety company on a mission to build a safer tomorrow.
We were also joined by our colleague Spencer Coursen, a nationally recognized safety and threat management expert, who discussed the importance of developing a safety mindset and shared his professional perspective on the Safely Sidekick.
From “Be Careful” to Building a Better Solution
Like so many women, Safely’s four founders grew up constantly hearing the same advice: “Be careful.”
But while the warning was repeated often, the tools and education needed to actually feel prepared were rarely part of the conversation.
After graduating from the University of Texas, the four friends decided to create what they felt was missing. They set out to make personal safety tools more approachable, functional, and easier to carry through everyday life.
That idea eventually became Safely.
Personal Safety Tools Designed for Real Life
Safely is best known for the Sidekick, our award-winning, all-in-one personal safety device.
The Sidekick combines multiple essential safety tools into one compact design, including pepper spray, a personal alarm, a flashlight, a safety spike, and an interchangeable grip. It was created to give people more ways to respond depending on the situation without requiring them to carry several separate products.
But our mission has always extended beyond the products themselves.
We believe people should understand how their safety tools work before they ever need them. Through Practice Spray, educational videos, hands-on demonstrations, and community partnerships, Safely has helped more than one million people learn how to use pepper spray with greater confidence.
Why a Safety Mindset Matters
During the segment, Spencer Coursen joined us to explain why personal safety begins before a dangerous situation occurs.
Having a safety mindset does not mean moving through life afraid. It means staying aware, thinking ahead, and knowing how you might respond if something feels wrong. A safety tool can support that mindset, but preparation and confidence are what make the tool more useful.
Spencer also shared his thoughts on the Safely Sidekick and how having multiple safety options in one accessible device can support a more prepared approach to everyday life.
You can learn more about Spencer and his work in threat management, protective strategy, and risk reduction through the Coursen Security Group.
Building a Safer Tomorrow in Texas
As an Austin-based company founded by four University of Texas graduates, being featured on Tierra’s Texas was especially meaningful to us.
Safely began with a shared experience among four friends, but it has grown into a community of people taking a more active role in their personal safety. We’re proud to continue building that community from our home here in Texas.
Thank You, Tierra’s Texas
Thank you to Tierra Neubaum and FOX 7 Austin for giving us the opportunity to share our story, introduce more people to the Safely Sidekick, and start an important conversation about building a safety mindset.
Watch the full Safely feature on FOX 7 Austin.
We’re grateful for every opportunity to share why Safely exists and continue working toward a safer tomorrow.
