Dec
4
8:00 AM08:00

Defy Washington Business Pitch Competition & Graduation at Washington Corrections Center for Women

Please join us on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 8:00 am PT for the Defy Washington Business Pitch Competition & Graduation at the Washington Corrections Center for Women!

What's it all about?

Business Pitch Competition & Graduation (BPC)

This is the big day. After months of preparation, Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs) pitch their business ideas in a Shark Tank-style competition and graduate from Defy's transformational program.

As a volunteer judge, you'll:

  • Offer feedback on EITs' business pitches

  • Ask thoughtful questions and help shape strong ideas

  • Celebrate EITs' journeys at a moving cap-and-gown ceremony

The event also includes community-building activities that break down barriers and build trust. It's a day of powerful stories, renewed purpose, and second chances.

Please reach out to Jordan ([email protected]) with any questions, and we'll see you soon!

Details

  • Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025

  • Time: 8:00 am - 3:30 pm PT

  • Location: Washington Corrections Center for Women - Gig Harbor, WA

  • Transportation: The prison is 35 miles and approximately 45 minutes from Sea-Tac Airport

    • Drive Self - Arrive at Prison @ 8:00 am

Click Here to Sign Up & Complete Clearance Paperwork by Sunday, October 12, 2025

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Aug
21
9:00 AM09:00

Defy Washington - Washington Corrections Center for Women Business Coaching Day

Please join us on Thursday, August 21, at 9:00am PST for the Defy WA Business Coaching Day at the Washington Corrections Center for Women!

What's it all about?

At Defy business coaching events, volunteers support the talented, ambitious Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs) who are progressing through Defy's CEO of Your New Life program, developing employment readiness skills, and taking the first steps in their entrepreneurial journeys. Volunteers provide one-on-one coaching on EITs' resumes and personal statements and serve as early sounding boards for the business concepts that EITs are beginning to develop. In addition to career coaching and business planning activities, these events also include fun icebreakers and powerful empathy-building activities, which encourage conversations and connections that enhance EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to their transformational journey.

Please reach out to Jordan ([email protected]) with any questions, and we'll see you soon!

Details

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Mar
12
9:00 AM09:00

03/12/2025 Business Coaching Day at Monroe Correctional Complex - Twin Rivers Unit

Please join us on Wednesday, March 12th, at 9:00 am PT for the Defy Washington Business Coaching Day at the Monroe Correctional Complex!

What's it all about?

At Defy business coaching events, volunteers support the talented, ambitious Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs) who are progressing through Defy's CEO of Your New Life program, developing employment readiness skills, and taking the first steps in their entrepreneurial journeys. Volunteers provide one-on-one coaching on EITs' resumes and personal statements and serve as early sounding boards for the business concepts that EITs are beginning to develop. In addition to career coaching and business planning activities, these events also include fun icebreakers and powerful empathy-building activities, which encourage conversations and connections that enhance EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to their transformational journey. 

Please reach out to Jordan ([email protected]) with any questions, and we'll see you soon!


Type of Event: Business Coaching Day

Date: Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Time: 9:00am - 3:30pm

Sign Up & Clearance Paperwork Deadline: Friday, January 03, 2025

Location: Monroe Correctional Complex - Twin Rivers Unit, 16774 170th Dr. SE, Monroe, WA 98272

Transportation: The prison is 30 miles and approximately 40 min from Seattle, WA

  • Drive Self - Arrive at Prison @ 9 am

Make sure to sign up here!

 
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Dec
4
8:45 AM08:45

Defy Washington Stafford Creek Corrections Center Business Pitch Competition & Graduation

Please join us on Wednesday, December 4, at 8:45 am PT for the Defy Washington Business Pitch Competition & Graduation at the Stafford Creek Corrections Center!

What's it all about?

Business pitch competition and graduations are the culminating events for Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs) as they complete Defy's rigorous CEO of Your New Life program. During these events, EITs present their business ideas in several rounds of a Shark Tank-style competition to panels of volunteer judges. Judges ask clarifying questions, provide feedback to strengthen the business concepts and pitches, and evaluate the overall presentations with their fellow judges to select competition winners. The event also includes icebreaker and empathy-building exercises designed to create an inclusive and accepting community. At the end of the day, five winning pitches are selected from the group in an awards ceremony, followed by a cap and gown graduation ceremony in which EITs are awarded a Certificate of Entrepreneurship issued by the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University.

Please reach out to Bree ([email protected]) with any questions, and we'll see you soon!

Details

  • Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2024

  • Start Time: 8:45 am PT

  • End time: 3:30 pm PT

  • Location: Stafford Creek Corrections Center - Aberdeen, WA

  • Transportation: The prison is 110 miles and approximately 2 hours 10 min from Tukwila, WA

    • Defy Bus - Departing from Tukwila @ 6:30 am

    • Drive Self - Arrive at Prison @ 8:45 am

  • Sign Up & Complete Clearance Paperwork Here by Sunday, September 29, 2024

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May
16
8:00 AM08:00

5/16/19 BPC at MCC-Twin Rivers Unit

Type of Event: Business Pitch Competition (BPC) and Graduation: 

Business Pitch Competitions are the culminating events for hard-working Entrepreneurs-in-Training (EITs) completing the CEO of Your New Life program. The event will begin with Defy’s signature icebreaker exercise designed to help create an inclusive and accepting community. During a BPC, EITs will present their business ideas in a Shark Tank-style competition to panels of esteemed business leaders and investors. At the end of the day, EITs graduate from the program in a cap and gown ceremony and receive Certificate of Completion.

Time:  Volunteers must arrive at facility at 8:00 am and the event will conclude by 4:00 pm.

Location: Monroe Correctional Facility 16550 177th Ave SE, Monroe, WA 98272

Check out a video of a past graduation

Event registration is closed, but we encourage you to check back with us soon for upcoming events and make sure to sign up to receive emails from DefyWA!

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Apr
1
to May 14

Deep Dive at MCC - Twin Rivers Unit

Workshop Leader or Guest Instructor

Join a Defy facilitator in the classroom to support EITs’ learning directly!  Whether you are a seasoned public speaking veteran or want to hone your workshop program, this is a great way to give back to a group of hungry learners and entrepreneurs.  Volunteers have gone inside to lead workshops on topics such as resume building, mindfulness, and dining etiquette or to share their expertise around challenging business concepts such as market positioning, branding, budgeting, or strategy development. 

If you are interested, contact us at [email protected]. Please introduce yourself and let us know what topic you are interested in teaching! We cannot guarantee a speaking engagement, but all requests will be considered.

Location: Monroe Correctional Facility 16550 177th Ave SE, Monroe, WA 98272

Dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays until May 14, 2019 (Note: It takes 2 weeks to process application)

Time: 7:30am-10:30am

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Feb
28
7:30 AM07:30

2/28/19 BCD at MCC-Twin Rivers Unit

Type of Event:  Business Coaching Day (BCD): Business Coaching Days are great ways to meet like-minded volunteers and many talented, ambitious Entrepreneurs-in-Training (EITs). These events begin with some powerful icebreakers and continue on with one-on-one career coaching activities and empathy building activities. These events build not just marketable employment readiness skills but more overlooked components of human health in the criminal justice system; conversations with our volunteers enhance EITs' self-esteem, aspiration, and sense of hope.  As a Defy Volunteer, you will join a group of passionate, purpose-driven professionals at Monroe Correctional Complex, a State Prison 20 mi North of Seattle, to spend the day providing valuable feedback to Defy Entrepreneurs-in-Training (EITs).  In the previous Business Coaching Day the EITs worked on their resumes, cover letters, and interview skills.  This time, you will be helping them vet their initial business plan ideas and practicing their first pitches. You will also engage in powerful empathy building activities, and support as they prepare for success when they reenter the community. More information will be provided closer to the date.

Time: Volunteers must arrive at facility at 7:30am and the event will conclude by 2:30 pm.

Location: Monroe Correctional Facility, 16550 177th Ave SE, Monroe, WA 98272

Complete this MCC TRU 2/28 BCD Clearance Form to register for event (clearances due by 1/28/19)

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Dec
6
7:30 AM07:30

12/6/18 BCD at MCC-Twin Rivers Unit

Type of Event: Business Coaching Day (BCD)

Date: Thurs Dec 6th, 2018

Time: 7:30am-2:30pm

Location: Monroe Correctional Complex -Twin Rivers Unit, 16774 170th Dr SE, Monroe, WA 98272, Monroe, WA

Event Description: As a Defy Volunteer, you will join a group of passionate, purpose-driven professionals at Monroe Correctional Complex, a State Prison 20 mi North of Seattle, to spend the day providing valuable feedback on resumes, personal statements and basic business concepts. You will also engage in powerful empathy building activities, and support Defy Entrepreneurs-in-Training (EITs) as they prepare for success when they reenter the community.

Giving value is its own reward, but many of our Volunteers report that they often received even more than they gave in terms of humility, humanity and hustle. They also report feeling more energized and empowered to take charge of their own lives after attending a Defy events like this one. Many come back again and again, unlocking untapped potential in their own lives and the lives of others.

So if you are ready to join us, please complete the DOC Registration Form to register for event (must be received by 10/05/18)

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