In 2025, my business was six months old.
Six.
Months.
I was still working full-time. Building Full Throttle SEO at night. Trying to figure out messaging. Offers. Positioning. Confidence.
And then I signed up for Pitch Factory.
Not because I was a polished public speaker.
Not because I “had it all figured out.”
But because I knew it would stretch me.
And I needed that.
The Honest Reason I Said Yes
At the time, I wasn’t sure what to expect.
I was nervous about the commitment. Six weeks. Evening classes. Homework. While juggling a full-time job and a new business.
And if I’m being really honest?
I did not consider myself a public speaker.
SEO? Yes.
Content? Yes.
Strategy? Absolutely.
Standing on stage pitching my business?
That felt like something other people did.
But I also knew this:
If I wanted to grow locally…
If I wanted to level up my messaging…
If I wanted to build something real…
I couldn’t stay comfortable.
So I signed up.
The Hardest Part (That Turned Out to Be the Most Valuable)
The most challenging part wasn’t the final pitch night.
It was the homework.
There were weeks where we left class with assignments tied to big business concepts. And sometimes I didn’t feel like I fully grasped them yet. I wanted more hands-on guidance specific to my business.
Instead, I had to go home and figure it out.
Read more.
Research.
Think.
Rewrite.
It would’ve been easier to half-complete it.
But I didn’t.
And that’s where the real shift happened.
The Messaging Wake-Up Call
Before Pitch Factory, I talked about my business like an SEO technician.
I used jargon.
I talked about process.
I explained what I did.
What I didn’t do well enough?
Talk about what my prospects were feeling.
Talk about their risks.
Talk about payroll pressure.
Talk about invisible revenue leaks.
Talk about the emotional weight of owning a business.
I was describing deliverables.
Not outcomes.
That six-week process forced me to step outside my technical comfort zone and answer harder questions:
Who do I really serve?
What pain am I solving?
Why does this matter beyond rankings?
That clarity reshaped:
- My website messaging
- My social media
- My email marketing
- My sales conversations
That shift in positioning is now built into everything I do — from my core services to the way I guide other founders through visibility strategy.
And honestly? It reshaped my confidence.
The Night Everything Almost Fell Apart (In My Head)
The night of the competition, I walked in confident.
I had done the work.
I knew my business.
I believed I would be one of the top three.
And yes — that sounds bold.
But I had earned that belief.
Then I watched the other pitches.
And my confidence started eroding.
There were incredible businesses. Strong presenters. Big ideas. Emotional stories. I remember thinking:
“There’s no way I’m going to win.”
And then they called:
“Second place… Full Throttle.”
It was shocking.
It was validating.
It was grounding.
Not because of the $1,000.
But because I had stood on a stage, articulated my business clearly, connected it to real pain points, and convinced a panel of judges that I was worthy of investment.
It felt like confirmation.
You’re on the right path.
Starting your business was the right move.
Keep going.
What Actually Changed After Pitch Factory
Here’s what shifted in the year since:
1. Clearer Positioning
My messaging became sharper. Less jargon. More outcomes. More founder-to-founder.
2. Stronger Sales Confidence
I don’t just explain SEO anymore.
I explain risk.
I explain visibility.
I explain revenue alignment.
And I do it without over-explaining.
3. Public Speaking Confidence
This one surprised me the most.
I’ve since applied for — and received — speaking engagements.
Me. The introvert.
Pitch Factory didn’t turn me into a different person.
It just helped me see new possibilities.
Now I actually get excited about speaking.
That would not have been true in early 2025.
4. Real Relationships
I made business friends.
Not surface-level networking.
Real check-ins.
Real support.
Real conversations.
That matters more than most people realize.
“I Don’t Have Time for Six Weeks”
If you’re a local business owner thinking about Pitch Factory 2026 and your first thought is:
“I don’t have time.”
I get it.
It’s a commitment.
It’s evenings.
It’s homework.
It’s mental stretch.
But here’s the honest answer:
You can do it — if you decide it matters.
You will learn something.
You will refine something.
You will meet someone.
You will leave sharper than you walked in.
It’s six weeks.
The clarity can last years.
If You’re Considering Pitch Factory 2026…
Whether you’re in St. Johns County or Jacksonville, this program exists for founders who are serious about leveling up — not just in revenue, but in clarity.
And if you’re reading this thinking:
“I probably should… but I’m not sure.”
Let’s talk.
Not about hiring me.
Not about SEO.
Not about selling you anything.
Just founder to founder.
If you’re local and considering Pitch Factory 2026, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn or send me a message. I’m happy to share my experience and how to get the most from those six weeks.
Because sometimes the biggest growth step isn’t the program itself.
It’s deciding you’re ready to step into the room.
J. ‘Ivy’ Boyter is an experienced SEO expert based in Florida. She is passionate about helping businesses grow their online presence toward increasing organic leads and revenue. When she’s not working on SEO campaigns, she’s participating in autocross or rallycross, wrangling kids, chickens, or writing heartfelt marriage and parenting advice. Learn more at FullThrottleSEO.com.
