KEPLER KEYCHAINS
- k.financeco
- Jul 7, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 21, 2025
At k.financeco, we’re all about backing small businesses - and when we meet one with a story like this? We can’t not shout about it.
Let us introduce you to Tyrelle, the founder of KEPLER KEYCHAINS - a personal safety brand doing big things out of the City of Kingston.
A BUSINESS BORN FROM NECESSITY
Kepler Keychains launched in October 2024, but Tyrelle’s journey started long before that.
After working at ANZ for 12 years, everything shifted in 2020 when she had her son Liam - right in the middle of COVID. As a first-time mum navigating a pandemic and eventually receiving an autism diagnosis for Liam, returning to the corporate world wasn’t in the cards.
So Tyrelle got creative.
She first explored textured art through a project called Studio Notched. But it wasn’t until an incredibly confronting experience at the movies, where she and her partner were verbally and physically threatened, that her idea for Kepler Keychains sparked to life. Thankfully, both Tyrelle and her partner managed to escape the scene physically unharmed, yet understandably Tyrelle couldn’t shake the “what ifs”.
“I started wondering, what can women actually carry to stay safe? Pepper spray isn’t legal here, and I couldn’t find clear information or resources anywhere. The laws were confusing, and there was no education around it.”
That led her down a many months-long rabbit hole of research.
She ordered over 15 different personal alarms, tested every single one, and discovered most were clunky, unreliable, or simply not ready to use out of the box.
Until she finally found the right one.
BUILT FOR WOMEN. BY A WOMAN WHO GETS IT.
Kepler Keychains are the personal safety accessory that every woman needs. They are not only stylish AF, but they include a seatbelt cutter, a car window breaker, a handy mini pouch, and a loud-as-hell personal alarm. The alarms don’t need charging. They’re battery-powered (just two AAAs), ready to go, and designed for ease - no fiddly buttons or instructions required.
Using YouTube, Tyrelle taught herself how to find ethical and reliable overseas suppliers. She gathered quotes, ordered samples, handled the insurance maze, and launched her first drop of 100 alarms.
They sold out in six weeks.
CHAOS, CARPARKS AND COMMUNITY.
The Kepler launch story deserves its own movie moment.
“I had the website ready to go live at 7pm - but at 5:30, the internet in my whole suburb went down.”
So, she jumped in the car, drove around frantically looking for Wi-Fi, and eventually found a signal outside a Bendigo Bank. Sitting alone in her car, hotspotting off a stranger’s router, Tyrelle hit publish.
Her first two orders came in from her mates, but it didn’t take long for word to spread.
A PROUD MILESTONE: PARTNERING WITH ESCABAGS.
One of Tyrelle’s proudest achievements so far? Partnering with Escabags - an incredible organisation that distributes escape bags to people fleeing domestic violence.
“Each bag includes a personal alarm, but Escabags didn’t love the ones they were using. I reached out and now we’re working together to redesign the alarm packaging to better suit their needs.”
They distribute 800 escape bags a month. Every single Optus shop in Australia is on board. This partnership will put Kepler Keychains into the hands of people who need it most.
WHY KINGSTON?
For Tyrelle, it’s home.
She lives here. Her son goes to school here. She’s put down roots - and she’s proud to be building something meaningful in the place that she feels most at home.
SMALL BIZ INSPO
If Tyrelle could swap lives with another business owner for a day, she says it’d be Britney Saunders from FAYT the LABEL.
“She’s built it from nothing, she’s got stores, she’s got staff, and she’s having fun doing it. I respect her so much.”
We’d say Tyrelle is on a similar trajectory - humble beginnings, hard work, and big vision.
WHO ELSE TYRELLE LOVES IN THE LOCAL BIZ SCENE:
@emmajae_customlaserdesigns – laser cutting with heart
@pohss_studio – silent disco, SAY LESS!
WHAT'S NEXT FOR KEPLER?
She’s already stocked in 3 local stores, is exploring wholesale options, and has some big FY26 goals:
Hit 10K followers on TikTok
Reach 5K followers on Instagram
Win an award (She’s a finalist in the Kingston Sustainability Awards—winners announced this month!)
FOLLOW THE JOURNEY
We’re so inspired by what Tyrelle’s building - out of her home, for her community, and for women everywhere who deserve to feel safe.
If you’re not already following @keplerkeychains, now’s the time. Go show Kepler some love and snap up a Pink Sassy B*tch Keychain for yourself and your loved ones 💜
Want your business featured on Kingston Uncovered?
We’re always on the lookout for passionate local legends.
Reach out to hello@kfinanceco.com.au and let’s make it happen.
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