At TEDx Tribeca, WearOpal founder Jen Chiang delivered a talk titled "Turning Pain into Purpose" as part of the theme, "Where Innovation Meets Hope." She shared her journey of transforming personal experiences into a mission to create a personal safety smart ring that blends design and technology.
From Personal Experience to Purpose
Jen did not fully start to process the experiences of her childhood and young adulthood until her early thirties when she began to recognize the hypervigilance she had developed over the years.
Globally, one in three women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. Most assaults are reported only if the survivor has a moment to seek help. When asked during her entrepreneurship class which problem space she wanted to focus on, Jen immediately knew the answer was safety
Understanding the Problem
In 2021, Jen began interviewing over 200 women to better understand safety concerns and brainstorm potential solutions. The findings were clear. Almost every participant reported feeling unsafe when alone. Most women wanted to carry a wearable safety device, but very few did because the designs were unappealing or uncomfortable.
Consultations with safety experts reinforced what she had learned. Even with self-defense tools, if someone cannot escape a dangerous situation, getting help quickly is the most effective way to stay safe.
This led to the creation of WearOpal, a personal safety smart ring that allows users to alert 911 and emergency contacts. The ring provides a discreet and accessible way to call for help when it matters most.
A Framework for Social Impact
Having never built a product before, Jen knew she needed a structured approach. She applied the Social Impact Business Model Canvas, adapted by Columbia Business School from Alexander Osterwalder’s Business Model Canvas and introduced to her in her Social Impact Ventures class with Professor Joy Fairbanks.
Unlike traditional business models, this framework emphasizes human-centered building blocks that guide decisions and measure impact.
Company Vision and Values ensure every decision aligns with the core mission. For WearOpal, that mission is to redefine personal safety by seamlessly integrating technology with design. The smart ring, paired with a smartphone app, allows users to alert 911 and emergency contacts or trigger a SOS siren with just two or three presses. Partner Noonlight triages the alerts to connect users with the nearest first responders. The ring is designed so users can trigger it with the same hand even if mobility is limited during an emergency.
Impact Metrics track the tangible difference WearOpal is making. Metrics include the number of users, the number of incidents successfully reported and responded to, and in the future, the number of products or dollars donated to extend the company’s reach and impact.
Jen emphasized that these building blocks were not just theoretical. They actively shaped WearOpal at every stage from ideation to product development. At each step she asked, "Does this align with our values and the impact we want to make?"
Turning Pain into Purpose
Building WearOpal was not only a way to help others feel safe, it was also a personal process for Jen to process and cope with her own experiences. In her TEDx talk, she asked the audience to reflect on their own lives:
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What problem space do you want to solve for?
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What painful experience could inspire a solution to prevent it for others?
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How would you take that solution from idea to reality?
Through WearOpal, Jen demonstrates that innovation can be a form of hope, turning personal pain into a venture that protects and empowers others.
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About WearOpal
WearOpal continues its mission of creating personal safety smart rings and wearable safety devices that allow users to connect to 911 and their emergency contacts, empowering individuals without compromising on style or functionality. By combining technology and thoughtful design, WearOpal provides a wearable solution that is both fashionable and functional, helping people feel safer every day.