Meet Sarah Haspel | Founder of Bestie Defense

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Haspel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, what do you want your legacy to be?
I want to shift the conversation around women’s safety. Not just by selling a tool, but by reframing what it means to take care of ourselves. If Bestie helps a woman trust her instincts and take action when it matters, that’s the legacy. Long term, I want to normalize self-defense the way we normalize skincare or vitamins—it’s just part of your routine. Prepared, not paranoid. And yes, I want to be remembered as the founder who made a product that looked beautiful and saved lives.

What should our readers know about your business?
I created Bestie Defense, the first premium 3-in-1 personal safety tool designed by a woman, for women. It combines pepper spray, a piercing alarm, and a striking feature—all in one sleek, ergonomic device that’s actually designed to work under pressure.
What sets us apart? Everything. The look, intuitive grip, materials, formulas law enforcement trusts—and the first-ever pepper spray subscription service.
Yes, you read that right. Pepper spray expires. Most people don’t realize theirs is dead until it’s too late. With our subscription model, we take the guesswork out of safety. You get discreet, on-time refills—just like skincare or supplements. Safety shouldn’t be a one-time purchase. It should be part of your lifestyle.
Was this easy? Not even close. I’ve had to learn every step of the way—manufacturing, patents, packaging, and pitching in rooms where I was the only woman. But I stayed focused on the mission and refused to compromise: simple, effective, beautiful self-defense tools that you’ll actually carry accessibly. And we’re just getting started.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d show them the version of the city I actually live in—equal parts sweat, sushi, and sunset views. LA gets a bad rap for being fake or surface-level, but there’s a rhythm here that can be really grounding once you find it.
First things first: I don’t skip workouts, even for guests. So if they’re visiting, they’re coming with me (if they want to). That means boxing with my coach Aaron at Deuce Gym, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Gracie University HQ or The Training Center LA, and doing pilates and or lifting. I use workouts to build the rest of the day.

For food, I mix everyday favorites with a few “only in LA” classics. We’d grab smoothies at Erewhon (yes, the Haley Beiber Strawberry smoothie hype is real), breakfast at Takagi, lunch at The Polo Lounge—because it’s old-school Hollywood in the best way— Catching the sunset at Nobu Malibu or Elephante is a must, and a few other must visit spots in my opinion: Sushi Fumi, John and Vinnys, Broad Street Oyster Company, Anajak Thai, and Madeo.

Coffee and matcha throughout the day are imperative. I frequent Maru, Alfred and Malou.

I don’t go out much anymore, but if we’re doing nightlife, it has to be worth it. While I am not a member of these places, other friends are gracious with their memberships to The Magic Castle and Bird Street Clubs and it’s always fun to watch people at the bar at Novikov or Chateau Marmont.

There are a hundred versions of LA. Mine is disciplined but indulgent. Grounded, but not boring. That’s what I’d want someone to experience while they’re here—how strength and softness, grit and glam, can all coexist. That’s the energy I built Bestie with. And that’s what makes this city feel like home.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Honestly, as cliche as it may sound, I feel like everyone who has ever employed me or taught me deserves credit. Every experience I’ve had has led me to where I am today– good or bad. No one builds anything great alone. I’ve had incredible mentors—especially women who didn’t just offer advice, they offered opportunity. I also owe a lot to the men in my life who showed up, respected the mission, and didn’t try to hijack it. My coaches deserve special recognition—they made me fall in love with all aspects of martial arts throughout the years. If I had to shout out one individual today- it’s my project manager, Rocky. He’s the one who introduced me to Norm (the engineer who brought Bestie to life) and I can count on Rocky to always have my back, even when I commit to the impossible.

Website: https://bestie-defense.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestiedefense/?hl=en

Image Credits
Laura Huertas