by Leanna Puccio

LOWELL – Lowell native Rajia Abdelaziz has already set a tone for female entrepreneurs across the globe, and she’s only 30 years old. 

Following an event in Lowell years ago, Rajia was being followed back to her car by a group of men, Afterward, she had thought to herself, why there wasn’t a more discreet panic button that exists to call for help. 

For her Capstone project at UMs Lowell, Abdelaziz created the first prototype for Invisawear with the help of her younger brother, using a 3d printer from his school.  The capstone became a gateway into developing Invisawear. Her brother, Kareem Abdelaziz, credits the creation winning first place at the UMass Lowell difference maker program (similar to “Shark Tank”) as what sparked the journey of Invisawear becoming more than just a capstone project. 

Photo courtesy UMass Lowell

Thus, Invisawear was born: necklaces, bracelets, and various forms of other jewelry that are set to call 911 and share your location with one press of a button. Invisawear was designed for women who want a discreet way to feel safe. It also is equipped with a tracking mechanism for when feeling unsafe and needing to tell passion for safety. 

“You hear scary stories on the news all the time but you never think it’ll happen to you or someone you love,” Rajia said in a statement on her website. I certainly never thought that walking back to my car after an event would turn out to be one of the scariest moments of my life. I created InvisaWear to make sure my loved ones and I are safe,” Rajia said.

She and Kareem grew up together close by in Nashua, New Hampshire. The company has grown so much that Kareem has put his schooling on pause to contribute to the company within supply chain management. 

“My main role is supply chain manager, but since Rajia and I are siblings, I am involved in a lot of other things, which ranges from managing other employees, accounting, helping other employees in other departments, just an umbrella of everything really.”

Though he has been going to school, Kareem e finds that working for Invisawear is rewarding, and is already something he is familiar with and passionate about. 

From a young age, Rajia has always possessed a go-getter attitude and a passionate mentality. Her brother finds this as an inspiration in his life.

“She is absolutely a role model in the sense of even taking the time to start her own business,” he says. “Right out of college she had [gotten] a job offer from Google, and turned it down to start Invisawear.”

Hearing the criticism she had gotten from that from various people, Kareem used this as motivation and for insight within his own life.

“You really don’t have to follow the usual ‘go to college, graduate, etc.’…it’s very possible that with determination and discipline, [you] can really make something of your own.” 

Kareem also cites his sister’s passion for the company.

“It means everything to her that she’s made it this far, given that [about] 90% of startups fail,” he said. “It means everything to her that she is a female leader.” 

Leanna Puccio is a student at Endicott College studying Journalism