Interview with Mercedes, the founder of Safe Squad!
We couldn't be more excited to present our interview with Mercedes Molloy, the founder of Safe Squad! Mercedes is a freshman at The New School in Manhattan and has always been involved in politics - including campaigning for past presidential candidates (cool, we know). She's also a survivor of rape - which is what inspired her to start Safe Squad, a free app dedicated to providing peace of mind and safety to its users. We chatted with Mercedes about her goals for Safe Squad, how she went about the process of creating it, and what advice she'd give to young people looking to make a difference.
Before we begin, make sure to follow follow follow Safe Squad on Instagram and Facebook and download the app for free on the App Store and Google Play!
What inspired you to start Safe Squad?
For a long time, I struggled with the fact that I was raped. I was angry and frankly did understand how people could get away with such terrible things, But then, I realized that I could not change what happened to me in the past, but I had the power to change my narrative and be empowered by helping others who were unable to speak out. For me, that was the best part of healing. I became the role model that I always hoped to see. I am proud to be a part of survivor-based advocacy, and I'm proud to be contributing to a solution for a better and safer world by creating a mobile app that provides ultimate safety for the user - along with peace of mind for their loved ones. So the next girl out there does not have to say "me too." Because frankly, it’s a club that no one should be part of.
If you had to describe Safe Squad in one sentence, how would you describe it?
“A much-needed solution.”
How will Safe Squad help people around the world?
The importance of safety cannot be overstated. We live in a fast-paced and rapidly-changing world, and the sad reality is that travesties happen daily. We all hear about it in the news or see it in person. As generic as it is to say, you need to be prepared - because it’s your life and it matters. Safe Squad provides users with peace of mind, since they know we have your back. Stuff happens in life. But why risk it?
Tell us a little bit about the process of starting Safe Squad, managing your own company, and creating an app.
It’s notable that I do not come from a STEM background. From a young age, I have always had a love for politics and underrepresented social issues, and I was actively involved in bi-partisan lobbying with United Nation Foundation’s Girl Up Campaign. I certainly took STEM-related classes in high school, but it was never anything I intended to pursue. I always planned on majoring in political science. And yet here I am creating an app not exactly in alignment with political science, but my love for the underrepresented is certainly carried out throughout the app.
The process hasn’t been linear, that’s for sure. People have come up to me and have said "you're so well accomplished" or “you're so well put together,” and while I certainly appreciate the compliment, they only see one side. The countless hours of refining my work, experiencing rejection, struggling to afford the app - in other words, the blood sweat and tears - aren’t shown. Societal messages teach us to not discuss failure due to its negative connotation. Personally, I like to discuss failure because without it, there simply wouldn’t be room for growth. Success is not just about the outcome - it's also about the journey. I am proud of the person I have become a result of founding Safe Squad.
What are your hopes for the future of Safe Squad?
My first hope for the future is to establish additional partnerships with universities and police, and provide Safe Squad as a resource to them. I also hope to spread awareness for Safe Squad and help as many individuals in vulnerable settings as possible. Additionally, my goal is for Safe Squad to go global within the next year. (As of July 26th, the app is available to residents of the US and the UK). For some, financial success is their overall goal. For me, it’s about helping others.
In your opinion, what are some of the biggest obstacles people face when it comes to safety? How does safe Squad address those obstacles?
With the current safety apps on the market, there are five significant issues:
1.) They are based on one’s ability to pay.
2.)They cater solely to a specific demographic.
3.) They are location services apps.
4.) The internal part of the app isn’t discrete.
5.) They are good in theory but fall short functionality-wise.
Safe Squad is a gender-neutral mobile app that aims at providing ultimate safety. It's completely free for everyone, and it's available for use at any time and anywhere! To me, there should be absolutely no cost nor exclusivity associated with safety, because safety is a fundamental right!
In a sea of apps, we strive to be unique. Safe Squad ensures inclusivity and accessible safety for all demographics, regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, or socioeconomic status.
The internal interface of the app serves as a calendar in order to be discrete and to not be recognized by a potential perpetrator as a safety app. Safe Squad is not a location services app, as the reality is that not everyone wants to be constantly monitored or tracked. We don’t believe you should ever have to compromise safety over privacy. With this in mind, we have an emphasis on both privacy and protection. Thus, we provide the app, but it is dependent upon the user to manually enable their emergency contacts and input the event details of their location and time frame. In the event of danger, the automatic SOS messaging system will be triggered and alert the user’s chosen emergency contacts with their location.
What, if any, obstacles have you had to face as a result of your age?
I have encountered naysayers: those who have completely disregarded me because of my gender, age, and ethnicity. I've heard people say that “hope isn’t a successful business model" or that I'm just another young person with my head in the clouds.
Do you have any advice for young people hoping to make a difference?
My advice to fellow young people who are looking to make an impact would be to pursue your goals with everything you have, show your passion to the public, and work towards spurring a positive chain reaction. March to the beat of your own drum, and forge your own path. You know who you are and what you're capable of, so don't let people stifle you or hold you back. Also, I acknowledge that creating change is no easy feat, so always be prepared. That means be proactive, do your homework, and clearly establish the message you wish to promote. Because you can't just talk the talk, you've got to walk the walk.
For a long time, I struggled with the fact that I was raped. I was angry and frankly did understand how people could get away with such terrible things, But then, I realized that I could not change what happened to me in the past, but I had the power to change my narrative and be empowered by helping others who were unable to speak out. For me, that was the best part of healing. I became the role model that I always hoped to see. I am proud to be a part of survivor-based advocacy, and I'm proud to be contributing to a solution for a better and safer world by creating a mobile app that provides ultimate safety for the user - along with peace of mind for their loved ones. So the next girl out there does not have to say "me too." Because frankly, it’s a club that no one should be part of.
If you had to describe Safe Squad in one sentence, how would you describe it?
“A much-needed solution.”
How will Safe Squad help people around the world?
The importance of safety cannot be overstated. We live in a fast-paced and rapidly-changing world, and the sad reality is that travesties happen daily. We all hear about it in the news or see it in person. As generic as it is to say, you need to be prepared - because it’s your life and it matters. Safe Squad provides users with peace of mind, since they know we have your back. Stuff happens in life. But why risk it?
Tell us a little bit about the process of starting Safe Squad, managing your own company, and creating an app.
It’s notable that I do not come from a STEM background. From a young age, I have always had a love for politics and underrepresented social issues, and I was actively involved in bi-partisan lobbying with United Nation Foundation’s Girl Up Campaign. I certainly took STEM-related classes in high school, but it was never anything I intended to pursue. I always planned on majoring in political science. And yet here I am creating an app not exactly in alignment with political science, but my love for the underrepresented is certainly carried out throughout the app.
The process hasn’t been linear, that’s for sure. People have come up to me and have said "you're so well accomplished" or “you're so well put together,” and while I certainly appreciate the compliment, they only see one side. The countless hours of refining my work, experiencing rejection, struggling to afford the app - in other words, the blood sweat and tears - aren’t shown. Societal messages teach us to not discuss failure due to its negative connotation. Personally, I like to discuss failure because without it, there simply wouldn’t be room for growth. Success is not just about the outcome - it's also about the journey. I am proud of the person I have become a result of founding Safe Squad.
What are your hopes for the future of Safe Squad?
My first hope for the future is to establish additional partnerships with universities and police, and provide Safe Squad as a resource to them. I also hope to spread awareness for Safe Squad and help as many individuals in vulnerable settings as possible. Additionally, my goal is for Safe Squad to go global within the next year. (As of July 26th, the app is available to residents of the US and the UK). For some, financial success is their overall goal. For me, it’s about helping others.
In your opinion, what are some of the biggest obstacles people face when it comes to safety? How does safe Squad address those obstacles?
With the current safety apps on the market, there are five significant issues:
1.) They are based on one’s ability to pay.
2.)They cater solely to a specific demographic.
3.) They are location services apps.
4.) The internal part of the app isn’t discrete.
5.) They are good in theory but fall short functionality-wise.
Safe Squad is a gender-neutral mobile app that aims at providing ultimate safety. It's completely free for everyone, and it's available for use at any time and anywhere! To me, there should be absolutely no cost nor exclusivity associated with safety, because safety is a fundamental right!
In a sea of apps, we strive to be unique. Safe Squad ensures inclusivity and accessible safety for all demographics, regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, or socioeconomic status.
The internal interface of the app serves as a calendar in order to be discrete and to not be recognized by a potential perpetrator as a safety app. Safe Squad is not a location services app, as the reality is that not everyone wants to be constantly monitored or tracked. We don’t believe you should ever have to compromise safety over privacy. With this in mind, we have an emphasis on both privacy and protection. Thus, we provide the app, but it is dependent upon the user to manually enable their emergency contacts and input the event details of their location and time frame. In the event of danger, the automatic SOS messaging system will be triggered and alert the user’s chosen emergency contacts with their location.
What, if any, obstacles have you had to face as a result of your age?
I have encountered naysayers: those who have completely disregarded me because of my gender, age, and ethnicity. I've heard people say that “hope isn’t a successful business model" or that I'm just another young person with my head in the clouds.
Do you have any advice for young people hoping to make a difference?
My advice to fellow young people who are looking to make an impact would be to pursue your goals with everything you have, show your passion to the public, and work towards spurring a positive chain reaction. March to the beat of your own drum, and forge your own path. You know who you are and what you're capable of, so don't let people stifle you or hold you back. Also, I acknowledge that creating change is no easy feat, so always be prepared. That means be proactive, do your homework, and clearly establish the message you wish to promote. Because you can't just talk the talk, you've got to walk the walk.