Bridgeport native Alyssa Collazo founder of Fabulyss Boutique.

After feeling unsafe at her college campus, a Connecticut native created a fashionable keychain with multiple self-defense tools to help women feel safe. And she’s promoting them on TikTok. 

Bridgeport native Alyssa Collazo, 23, sells the keychains via her online store called Fabulyss Boutique.

The idea came after Collazo was made to feel unsafe at her college by a staff member on campus. She reported the staff member to the school. Some time after, her car was broken into.

"I did not feel safe [at that] point. I ended up moving back home and started commuting to classes," she said.

At first, she made the keychains for her friends and family who motivated her to open an Etsy shop. She said she wanted to create something that looked fashionable and discrete. Her mother then encouraged her to make a TikTok to promote the keychains and help others. All it took was one video to “blow up.” Fabulyss Boutique's TikTok has 1.5 million followers with a total of 30.8 million likes on videos. 

“It took two-three months for my business to blow up. The video that went viral received around one million views and after that, every video would receive more than 20,000,” she said.

When Collazo started her business, she said her main goal was to target women in their 20s to 40s. 

Self-defense keychains sold on Fabulyss Boutique by Bridgeport native Alyssa Collazo.

Self-defense keychains sold on Fabulyss Boutique by Bridgeport native Alyssa Collazo.

"The pepper spray shoots up to 10 feet," she said. "I like the pepper spray the most because it has a UV dye which marks the targets face so when the police catch them, it is easy to spot the person."

Collazo expressed how important the safety alarm is and that it has helped many of her clients. "I have had people reach out to me saying the safety alarm is loud and how it scared the assailant away," she said.

Safety needs can vary depending on a person's physical ability, medical condition and daily routines, said a media relations spokesperson for Connecticut State Police. Those work or work late hours or early mornings may have different concerns than people who work during the day. State police added that the most important safety feature to have is a charged phone with which to call 911 if needed. Being aware of surroundings, like suspicious individuals, activity or vehicles is also key.

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Self-defense keychains sold on Fabulyss Boutique by Bridgeport native Alyssa Collazo.

Self-defense keychains sold on Fabulyss Boutique by Bridgeport native Alyssa Collazo.

Self-defense keychains sold on Fabulyss Boutique by Bridgeport native Alyssa Collazo.

Self-defense keychains sold on Fabulyss Boutique by Bridgeport native Alyssa Collazo.

Bridgeport native Alyssa Collazo founder of Fabulyss Boutique.

Self-defense item sold on Fabulyss Boutique by Bridgeport native Alyssa Collazo.

Self-defense item sold on Fabulyss Boutique by Bridgeport native Alyssa Collazo.

Self-defense keychains sold on Fabulyss Boutique by Bridgeport native Alyssa Collazo.

Self-defense keychains sold on Fabulyss Boutique by Bridgeport native Alyssa Collazo.

Self-defense keychains sold on Fabulyss Boutique by Bridgeport native Alyssa Collazo.

Self-defense keychains sold on Fabulyss Boutique by Bridgeport native Alyssa Collazo.

Fabulyss Boutique also sells stun guns, portable door locks and self-defense add-ons for the keychain.

According to Connecticut State Police, those 21 and older are permitted to carry electronic defense weapons, such as tasers or stun guns if they possess a valid firearm permit. "An electronic defense weapon may be kept in the home or business but may not be transported/carried by anyone who does not possess a valid CT pistol permit," a media relations spokesperson for state police said via email.

In August, Collazo took a picture in front of a Fabulyss Boutique billboard ad located in West Haven near the University of New Haven and posted it on Instagram. There is another one near Yale University.

A post shared by Fabulyss Boutique 🦋 (@fabulyssboutique)

"It felt amazing seeing it" she said.

Because her products have gone viral and sell out, she has taken her at-home business and moved production to a warehouse. Collazo buys fabric for the wristlets then her grandmother cuts, iron and hand makes them. As for the rest of the keychain, Collazo buys all the items separately and assembles them. Her family members gave up what they were doing and now work for her business. “They have given up so much to help me with my business and I am grateful,” she said. 

“I don’t like the fact [that customers] had to use these tools, but I am happy they had my product to help them and save their life,” said Collazo.