When Diane Waghorne watched the Twin Towers fall on 9/11, she didn’t just grieve—she acted. On the Women in Safety Podcast, the Tech Safety Lines CEO revealed how she turned a military prototype into a life-saving solution now used in 35+ countries—all while breaking barriers as a female founder in a male-dominated industry.

This episode wasn’t about leadership theory (catch those insights in our first blog here). It was raw, personal, and packed with lessons for women challenging the status quo.

"I Outsold Them": A Female Founder’s Playbook for Breaking Barriers

Diane’s journey began at her kitchen table in Texas, with no safety industry experience. Her key strategies to overcome skepticism:

• Certify Everything
  "I got ISO, ANSI, and CE certifications before anyone could dismiss me as ‘just a mom.’ Let the data speak."
• Build Alliances with First Responders
  Partnered with Dallas firefighters to co-develop training programs, lending instant credibility.
• Rent a Bridge (Literally)
  To earn CE certification, she tested her device on a rented bridge in the Swiss Alps—"My perfect workday."

Faith, Family & the Unlikely Path to Global Impact

The 9/11 Calling

Diane describes her mission as divinely guided: "This wasn’t my plan, it was God’s. I prayed for direction at every crossroad."

Radical Work-Life Philosophy

As a mom who launched her company when her kids were teens, Diane’s culture prioritizes flexibility:

• Employees can adjust hours for school pickups or family time.
• "Family comes first. Always. Happy people build life-saving products."

The Legacy: Saving Lives From Wind Turbines to War Zones

• 35+ countries now use her Military Compact Descender, originally designed for soldiers.
• 50,000+ devices sold around the globe.
• Her "Why": A haunting photo of two wind turbine technicians who died because their rescue kit was inaccessible during a fire.

"Every time we get a call that our device saved someone, we stop and celebrate. That’s the fuel."

Why Listen to the Podcast?

Diane’s episode on the Women in Safety Podcast isn’t just another leadership interview, it’s a masterclass in turning personal conviction into global impact. Hear her tell these stories in her own voice, including:

• The chilling moment she knew firefighters needed better tools after 9/11.
• The emotional toll and triumphs of being a woman in the safety industry.

Listen to the Full Podcast Here: Women In Safety Pod Episode #05