Revolar’s Jacqueline Ros Discusses A Movement of Empowerment
“It’s more than a business,” shared Jacqueline Ros, founder and CEO of Revolar, a Denver, Colorado based personal safety wearable tech company. “It’s a movement. A movement of people taking back their lives; people living their lives without worrying about what they are wearing, where they are going, or what time they’re going out. We use empowerment and not fear. That’s the entire point of Revolar.”
As a young woman, Jacqueline saw loved ones stalked, sexually assaulted, and worse. Using her college graduation money, Ros patented an idea she developed as a student at the University of Florida that would eventually evolve into Revolar. Gaining professional experience working with Teach for America and Leadership for Educational Equity, Jacqueline spent her summers building Revolar and officially founded the business in 2013. Following a recent round of funding and with plans to hit the market in March 2016, Ros discussed the importance of empowerment for Smart Girls and people everywhere.
What were you doing professionally prior to founding Revolar?
Before Revolar, I was teaching with Teach for America in Aurora, Colorado. Teaching not only gave me summers off to work on Revolar, but it was an incredible opportunity for leadership growth and to learn emotional intelligence to be a CEO. After teaching, I worked for Leadership for Educational Equity where I learned I didn’t always know the answer, but I knew how to find it. Helping political candidates campaign taught me how to fund raise. Education and politics moved too slow, though. I needed technology. I wanted to make an impact faster.
Creating your company has very personal roots for you. How did you transform your passion into an executable purpose?
I came up with the idea for the company and product when I was taking an entrepreneurial class in college. By the time I was a senior at the University of Florida, my sister was sexually assaulted twice. Several of my friends were raped. I had to do something. I used my graduation money to patent the idea and took a job with Teach for America to bootstrap.
It took a lot of research and a lot of really great mentors to get me to where I am. I love planning, I love strategy, and I love executing. As soon as I knew I could help people like my sister, it was full speed ahead.
What has the process of developing and launching your business been like for you?
Things change hour by hour, minute by minute in a start up. It took a lot of critical thinking, creative problem solving, and flexibility to get from point A to point B. For us, point A was a simple idea and being willing to eat ramen for months on end, and point B has been closing our $3 million round with The Foundry Group. We still have points C through Z to accomplish our full mission.
What lessons have you learned since starting your company?
I think one of the bigger lessons I’ve learned is you have to trust your instincts. I am the expert on Revolar, and trusting I know my own business better than anyone else, despite being so new is super important. The value of mentorship has also been an incredibly important lesson.
To be an effective leader, you have to have emotional intelligence. You need to not let the little things fluster you.
Why do you think personal safety devices are an important product for the modern woman?
If your car was stolen, nobody would ask you how much you were drinking or what you were wearing to make it happen. When it comes to our bodies, people still ask those questions. It’s unfair. I think it’s important to empower people with technology so they feel stronger standing up for themselves. We want to have people’s backs no matter what the issue is.
And don’t forget about men! Sexual assault is a problem for everyone. We have to talk about it in that way, otherwise we’re doing a disservice to all survivors. The problem we are solving is communication when you need it most. And rapidly. And after anything happens to you, Revolar gives you the data to prove what happened to you, and that’s what’s empowering.
While people can pre-order a Revolar system now, they also have the option to Give Revolar, Get Revolar. Why did your company decide to also offer this option to buyers?
Sad and simply, there is a tie between poverty and violence. The people who most desperately need our technology can’t afford to buy it. That’s why we’re working with local organizations to help empower the women who often get turned away from domestic violence shelters. It’s important to us to not only build a sustainable business, but build a business where giving back is a priority.
How do you get your hair wet?
Sexual assault has affected people I know from all walks of life. From sorority sisters who were stalked to Muslim friends who are afraid to leave their houses because of all the Islamophobia, to people with allergies who need emergency contacts on-the-fly. I never cease to find a person who reminds me why our mission matters, and that is what drives me. It’s more than a business. It’s a movement. A movement of people taking back their lives; people living their lives without worrying about what they are wearing, where they are going, or what time they’re going out. We use empowerment and not fear. That’s the entire point of Revolar. We don’t allow fear to win. We don’t allow fear to make us hide. This is what has inspired me to dive in the deep end. As quickly and immediately as gravity allows.
What defines a Smart Girl to you?
I think a Smart Girl is somebody who refuses to let their voice not be heard. Refuses to accept something because it’s always been that way. Generally refuses to be anything other than her authentic self. I think authenticity is incredibly terrifying, but it is so liberating and Smart Girls know that and never stop learning.
Share how you empower yourself with your fellow Smart Girls in the comments!
Note: Interview condensed for brevity.
Images: All images provided by Revolar.
