Teri and Ella kick off an inspiring two-part series with Shirah Benarde, the co-founder of NightCap, a groundbreaking line of drink-spiking prevention products. They explore Shirah’s journey as a young entrepreneur, how she developed NightCap, and what it was like to take her idea to Shark Tank. Ella shares how she first connected with Shirah over their shared commitment to combat the drink-spiking epidemic, and together, they discuss the challenges of launching a business, staying true to one’s mission, and the importance of young leadership in today’s world.
Shirah Benarde, CEO and Co-Founder of NightCap from West Palm Beach, Florida, is dedicated to preventing drink spiking. At just 16, after learning a college friend had been roofied, Shirah was inspired to create a protective solution. Using her mother’s stockings and a scrunchie, she developed a prototype that would later evolve into NightCap’s original and most popular product—a scrunchie that doubles as a drink cover. Her brother, Michael, recognized the importance of her invention and joined her in the venture, and in 2021, the siblings gained national recognition after appearing on Shark Tank. Since then, NightCap has sold over 600,000 scrunchies in more than 40 countries. Recently named to Forbes 30 Under 30, Shirah and Michael are now collaborating with city officials and legislators in cities like Austin and Boston to advocate for victims and promote safer communities.
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The Chasing Red Flags Podcast is produced by Jay Del Turco.
Cover Photo by: SLY photography, Samantha Yanofsky
This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes based on our lived experiences. It is not a substitute for the advice from a qualified professional.