Bridgeport native's business looks to protect women in style

Collazo sells self-defense gadgets for women, which can be custom selected on her website for her brand, Fabulyss Boutique.

News 12 Staff

Sep 16, 2022, 4:00 PM

Updated 759 days ago

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A Bridgeport native is trailblazing a path to help protect women with her small business.
You would never suspect the cute, pink and fuzzy-looking keychain contains pepper spray and an alarm to protect woman. But Bridgeport native Alyssa Collazo is working to combine safety and fashion.
Collazo sells self-defense gadgets for women, which can be custom selected on her website for her brand, Fabulyss Boutique.
"They all come with the same safety alarm, pepper spray, and then that's why we have a little add-on section," she said. "Kitty knuckles, another whistle, another pepper spray -- it's all up to you."
The 23-year-old's business began in 2020 after an uncomfortable experience with a staff member at her college, and when her car was robbed on campus.
"As soon as I was at my car when I got robbed, there was nothing to protect me. I was like, 'Oh my god, I cant keep walking around with nothing else on me,'" she said.
Two years later, Collazo's business has gone viral on TikTok with 1.5 million followers, and has made over 35,000 orders.
"I like, blinked and gosh, I have my own office. I was working out of my home, I was working out of my dorm room," she said.
Collazo is now working to break the silence about women protecting themselves, and with a touch of color.
"We're going to get to a point where girls aren't scared to talk about their experiences," said Collazo.
Some of the products can only be purchased in certain states, because of shipping laws. Some of the products, like stun guns, require buyers to be 21 years or older and have valid firearms permit.