Mindy Lin, the founder of Damsel in Defense, believes that personal safety is a fundamental right. Her company, Damsel in Defense, was born out of a desire to empower women to take control of their safety in a way that is both accessible and stylish. Reflecting on the company’s beginnings, Lin recalls her own experience with personal safety tools: “I’ve always had an understanding of the importance of personal safety and body boundaries,” she says. Years later, as part of a large mom’s group, she noticed that few women carried protective devices. “I realized that the reason so few [women] were carrying protection is because #1 it wasn’t easily accessible and #2 it wasn’t aesthetic at all,” Lin explains. Determined to address this gap, she decided to create products that were “accessible, affordable, and adorable.”
Lin’s journey with Damsel in Defense began with small gatherings in living rooms and grew into a nationwide movement. She understood that women needed more than just products—they needed support and confidence to use them effectively. “We started selling the products out of living rooms and then progressed to larger events,” Lin recalls. These events not only allowed women to purchase self-defense tools but also to learn about safety in a comfortable setting. As Lin shares, “Every event I attended, there was always at least one woman that would approach and share her story and thank us for offering what we were.” Today, Damsel in Defense has over 30,000 women involved in its mission, spreading the message of safety and empowerment.
Damsel in Defense’s product line is crafted with both functionality and style in mind. Lin explains that they focus on “effective and necessary safety features” first, then add design elements to make the products appealing. Her dedication to quality assurance is evident; she personally tests each new stun device, and her husband participates in testing their pepper sprays. “Quality assurance is very important to us,” Lin emphasizes. This commitment is supported by a lifetime warranty and an incident replacement policy, giving customers confidence in their purchases.
Photo Courtesy: Mindy Lin / Damsel in Defense
Education is at the heart of Damsel in Defense’s mission. Lin believes that awareness is the first step in personal safety, and her company offers regular training on topics like sexual assault prevention, domestic violence awareness, and campus safety. “Our mission is to Equip, Empower, and EDUCATE,” Lin states, underscoring her commitment to helping women understand their options and use their tools effectively. Damsel in Defense also developed Shield Technology, which allows users to alert pre-set contacts in an emergency, enhancing safety in critical moments.
Photo Courtesy: Mindy Lin / Damsel in Defense
In addition to its products and education, Damsel in Defense supports two international rescue homes for young girls escaping sex trafficking. Lin is deeply committed to this cause, explaining, “To this day, over 1,500 girls have been rescued and given hope.” These homes provide counseling, vocational training, and other resources to help survivors build new lives, free from exploitation. Lin’s goal is to expand this mission by opening more rescue homes worldwide, making a lasting impact on global safety.
As she looks to the future, Lin’s vision for Damsel in Defense is clear. She wants the company to become a household name and a trusted resource for personal safety. “My lifelong goal is to leave this world safer than I found it,” she shares, committed to creating a legacy of empowerment. Through Damsel in Defense, Lin is not only providing tools for self-defense but also fostering a movement that is changing how women view their safety and their power.
Published by: Josh Tatunay
