Lyla J's was formed in 1999 and has become one of the largest distributors of self-defense products in the country. A lot of our success is our individual business backgrounds and the history that drew us to the self-defense field.


Lyla Jeanne Painter:

I was born in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of an LAPD Homicide Detective. Even while off duty, my Dad carried his gun as he was licensed to do. Us kids were with him on two occasions when he had reason to pull the gun. The law, self-defense and self-protection were instilled in us at a very young age.

When I was little, all the kids in the neighborhood played Cowboys and Indians. I liked to dress up and play Sheriff, kind of like my Dad. No stun guns then, just paper cap guns. We built our forts in the rhubarb patch.

At one time I found my self in an abusive relationship. Once I realized I had to get out of the marriage to protect my life, it took a few months of planning. Just leaving this man was not an option; I had to arrange an escape. I hired two armed body guards (off duty police officers) to be with me the day the moving van came to load my things, just in case he came home. As it turned out, he did come home just before we were finished and was more furious than I had ever seen him. However, the bodyguards held him under gunpoint for 30 minutes until the moving van and I had a good head start.

I worked for Verizon for 32 years in the Los Angeles area and Dallas, TX, with a great deal of travel to numerous other cities and states. I frequently was in unfamiliar areas and often stayed in motels that were not in the best parts of town. I repeatedly walked alone in dark parking garages or parking lots. But I walked with confidence, knew self-defense steps and was prepared.

After retiring from Verizon, my new husband and I thought we would like to help others, both men and women, become self-defense prepared.

John W. Painter:

I was a general contractor for 30 years in Houston and Dallas, TX, having had 123 full time employees at one time. I guess I was destined to go into construction, as my favorite toy as a child was my wheelbarrow. I spent hours with this wheelbarrow, filling it up and hauling it to another side of the yard to dump my load!

In construction, you have to think about protecting yourself, as there are a lot of good people in the business and a handful of rotten apples. Over the years I encountered some of those rotten apples. I'll tell you a few of those stories so you'll understand why self defense and surveillance is important.

I once had a long time superintendent whom I trusted with anything I owned. One weekend I went away, with very few knowing I was leaving. That weekend, my house was robbed of everything of value. If you've ever had that happen, you'll understand the sick feeling one encounters. Investigation proved that my trusted superintendent and his son-in-law had robbed me of many irreplaceable and valuable items. After they went to jail, I had a surveillance system installed.

Once I had to fire four guys, who furiously demanded I get in the trunk of their car. Being a big man, 6'5", 250lbs, I had no idea what they had in mind, but I wasn't going to get in their car and found another way to handle the situation.

Another time, an employee was drunk on the job. When I told him to go home for the day he pulled a knife on me, then turned on the superintendent and brutally cut his arm.

I had a few more incidents over the years, and not being the type of person that could use a gun and kill another, I learned to protect myself with pepper spray, mace, stun guns and Tasers. That's how I first got interested in self defense & surveillance products and now it's our business! It's funny how things happen.

Why should you choose Lyla J's?

Our customers are our number one priority! We provide you the top quality self-defense and surveillance products available and provide you excellent customer service. Our self-defense products are backed by our 90-day money back guarantee, as we want you to be completely satisfied.

We offer you a non-lethal alternative to self-protection. Take a look at our huge selection of stun guns, Tasers, Mace, pepper sprays, child protection, personal alarms, home alarms and animal repellent products, all at reasonable prices.