By Bree McKeen
In our Mothers of Invention series, we introduce you to the inspiring women creating products that make life better for women everywhere.
Know someone we should feature? Email connect@evelynbobbie.com
When I first met Shirah Benarde at SXSW, I knew we had to share her story.
The Idea That Woke Her Up.
At just 16 years old, Shirah woke up from a dream with an idea that would become NightCap, a scrunchie that transforms into a drink cover to help protect against drink spiking. (As the mom of a teenage daughter, I couldn't help but think, every young woman should have one.)
The next morning, she grabbed an old scrunchie, one of her mom's stockings, and created her first prototype.
“I sat down with my dad, and I was like, 'I think this could save someone's life.'”
Neither of her parents were entrepreneurs, but they believed in the idea enough to figure it out together.
“When there's a need for something, you know it. That was our why the whole time. This could save someone's life.”
On Magic.
As she shared her story, I couldn't help but think about one of Evelyn & Bobbie's core values: Magic.
Magic happens when you feel like the universe is on your side, and the unexpected becomes real. At Evelyn & Bobbie, we know this for sure: sometimes the best ideas don't come from strategy meetings. They come from intuition.
“There was definitely magic present with NightCap. People that we've served, deals that we've made, partnerships we've had. It always feels like we're creating this magic.”
That intuition has grown into something much bigger than a product.
When A Product Becomes A Movement.
Today, NightCap has helped inspire legislation around drink safety, including California's law requiring bars to provide drink covers upon request.
Shirah has accomplished so much, but what touched me most were the customer stories. Some have shared that they found pills or powder sitting on top of their Nightcap instead of in their drink — a small object that, in that moment, did exactly what it was designed to do.
“I think empowerment is so prevalent — and sometimes that can be something so simple, like a scrunchie.”
One story especially stayed with me.
After a young mother had her drink spiked and missed a concert she'd been excited to attend, Shirah tracked down another tour date, contacted the venue, and arranged for her and her sister to attend in a private suite.
That kind of compassion says everything about the heart behind the brand.
On Trusting Yourself.
As founders, we also connected over learning to trust ourselves.
I shared that some of my biggest mistakes happened when I ignored my intuition. Shirah laughed because she'd experienced the same thing.
“People told me, 'What are you doing? Drink covers? That's bizarre.'”
Still, she trusted her instincts.
“I dropped out of school because I knew that I wanted to pursue it full time.”
And today, she encourages other women to do the same.
“You know the answer. You can learn it. You can do it.”
“You have everything within you.”
What She'd Tell You.
Before we wrapped up, I asked Shirah what she'd tell another young woman with an idea that feels impossible.
She didn't hesitate.
“Do it scared.”
Then she smiled and added one final reminder that every entrepreneur needs to hear.
“You have to be ready for when that person does say yes.”
Shirah reminds us that changing the world doesn't always start with a perfect plan. Sometimes it starts with a dream, a prototype made at the kitchen table, and the courage to believe your idea matters.
We thank Shirah for sharing the incredible work she's doing to make nights out safer for everyone.
Bree McKeen | 34G
Founder & CEO
