Cissi Nilsson, Founder and CEO, Safety By Cilia
A vision of a safer world, where the simple freedom of existing in public spaces is not a privilege, but a right, drove Cissi Nilsson, founder and CEO of Safety By Cilia, to action. Safety By Cilia combines innovation and design to develop unique solutions for personal safety. Their signature products are safety jewelry and a companion app. This vision stemmed from her own harrowing experience at a young age when the fear of a world where walking home felt like a battle threatened to define her future. Instead of succumbing to that fear, she forged a path, building not just a company, but an unseen armor of empowerment for herself and others.
A Shadow of Fear, A Spark of Rebellion
Cissi Nilsson’s early life was a melody of creativity, a young singer-songwriter finding her voice. But that melody was abruptly silenced. At a young age, her world was shattered by a traumatic experience. The aftermath was a chilling isolation, a self-imposed prison built of fear. “I spent the next three years basically restricting myself,” she admitted. “I couldn’t sleep by myself, it got to the point where I slept with a baseball bat in bed and a soft-air gun under my pillow.” This fear threatened to mute her creative spirit, but within the depths of this fear, a spark of rebellion flickered. One day, a simple act of writing, a list titled ‘What makes me feel safe,’ became the catalyst for change.
The list wasn’t just words; it was a blueprint for a world where safety and empowerment could coexist. Cissi realized the tools she envisioned, a fusion of technology and empowerment, didn’t exist. This realization wasn’t a dead end; it was a call to action. “I kind of felt like I was at a crossroads. Like, I can either choose to keep on living like this or I can try to do something about it. And then I decided on the second option.”
Building a Fortress of Innovation
Cissi’s journey wasn’t paved with ease. It was a steep climb, a self-taught odyssey into the realms of hardware development, app design, and business law. Rejection became a familiar companion, but her resolve remained unshaken. “I realized that I had to build it myself in order to get in capital for someone to invest,” she detailed.
The challenge was monumental. The technology needed was bespoke, a puzzle piece that didn’t exist in the market. “The biggest issue was the tech, and there wasn’t any tech small enough off the shelves to purchase,” Cissi pointed out. This meant building from the ground up, a testament to her tenacity and vision. She created a line of discreet safety jewelry, designed to blend seamlessly into everyday life. “It’s a completely normal bracelet where the technology is in the locking on the underside, and then there are interchangeable links. Partly to personalize it, and partly in case perpetrators start to recognize the jewelry.” This design prioritized not only safety but also the user’s dignity and discretion. The jewelry is integrated with the Cilia app, which provides GPS tracking, emergency alerts, and audio recording, creating a comprehensive safety solution.
Leading with Trust, Building a Legacy
As Safety By Cilia took shape, Cissi’s leadership philosophy emerged, a blend of trust and responsibility. She empowered her team, fostering a work environment where productivity was rewarded, and work-life balance was prioritized. “I like giving people in my team trust, which is essentially trust under responsibility,” she articulated, emphasizing a culture of mutual respect and understanding.
She also understood the power of complementary skills, hiring individuals who filled the gaps in her own expertise. This created a strong, cohesive team, a testament to her ability to delegate and trust.
The Pillars of Resilience: Self-Care and Vision
Cissi’s commitment to her own well-being was paramount. “I am very particular about like my diet and then my workout, and then my sleep,” she says, highlighting the importance of self-care in managing the immense pressures of entrepreneurship. These non-negotiables became the pillars of her resilience, allowing her to navigate the challenges with unwavering energy. For Cissi, true success is measured by the impact Safety By Cilia has on people’s lives. “Success to me means that I’ve gotten the product out and actually helped people,” she emphasized. Notably, the app also includes the ‘rescuer’ function, enabling community support, and recording audio evidence, a powerful tool in legal proceedings. “Audio recordings are generally one of the best pieces of evidence you can have in a Swedish court. One of the primary reasons why only five out of a hundred rapes are convicted is due to lack of evidence.”
Looking Ahead: Safety By Cilia’s Future Vision
Cissi Nilsson’s vision extends far beyond the current product line. Safety By Cilia is poised for significant growth, with the upcoming retail launch of their smart safety jewelry marking a major milestone. This launch will be followed by strategic expansion into the Nordic region, bringing their innovative safety solutions to a wider audience. Furthermore, the company is actively developing new products, including an assault alarm disguised as a lipstick, set to launch in early 2026, aiming to create a comprehensive safety ecosystem. Cissi’s commitment to innovation and accessibility ensures that Safety By Cilia will continue to evolve, empowering individuals and building safer communities for years to come.
Empowering the Next Generation: Cissi’s Advice and Legacy
Cissi’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs was a blend of realism and encouragement. “It will take three times longer than they thought. It will cost three times more than they thought, but it will be the most fun thing they’ve ever done,” she added.
She emphasized the importance of perseverance, self-care, and taking those crucial ‘first steps.’ Her story is a beacon of hope, a reminder that even in the face of adversity, we can choose to create a safer, more empowered world. Cissi Nilsson didn’t just build a company; she built a legacy of courage, a testament to the transformative power of turning fear into empowerment. Her visionary leadership and the impactful social mission of Safety By Cilia have been recognized with numerous awards, including Finalist CEO of the Year 2024, Finalist eQualizer of the Year 2024, and Winner Venture Cup 2023. She also created a lifeline for those who need it, and through collaborations with women’s shelters, she ensures accessibility. “There are an extremely large number of women who live in violent relationships and then it can be very difficult to afford a product for 1,999 kronor. So such collaborations are very important to me that we do.” Her dedication to making safety a right, not a privilege, is what truly sets her apart.