Elevator Pitch No. 3

Pitching Practice Makes "Perfect"

1) The Pitch

'“Every 92 seconds another American is sexually assaulted (1).” Due their inability to defend themselves or simply being uninformed about how serious this issue is, more and more women are becoming victim to sexual violence and the rape rate in the United States has gone up. Due to this, "59% of women who ever walked down an alley alone always or often feel unsafe doing so (2)." The solution is developing a company that not only provides accessible but affordable, weekly self-defense classes, as well as pair each customer with their own ‘buddy’ to call when they feel like they are in an uncomfortable situation. Through large community advertisements and promotion on social media we can make our company known. Working with each customer individually, we can make personalized payment plans that work for them. The Buddy System is a crucial part to this idea because if you are alone but on the phone with someone or in communication with them in some way, you are less likely to be targeted by a predator. And worst case scenario, there would be someone that knows you're in a bad situation and could call for help. Amongst the different types of self defense classes we offer, there would be training for hand-to-hand combat along with in how to use pepper spray, tasers, and other self defense weapons. Webster Merriam's phrase synonym for together is "at peace". No one should ever have to live their life in fear, afraid to going out by themselves in case that 'something might happen.' Our goal is to teach you what to do and how to defend yourself from acts of sexual violence and act as your security blanket when you are out with friends or on your own.'

2) Reflection

As someone who really struggles with public speaking, I think that this is really helping me. Having to do this and practice this so much has helped me to slowly gain a little more confidence in myself. Also, receiving feedback from my fellow students has been very helpful in letting me know how I may improve myself. It is a less direct way than someone getting called out in front of the entire class, so it makes me feel like I am developing and able to fix what needs fixing.

3) Feedback

From my feedback in previous assignments I was told that I could maybe expand on what type of self defense classes and trainings we would offer. I have now addressed this specifically in my pitch. I really appreciated this feedback because I honestly don't think I otherwise would have addressed it, so thank you and I welcome any more feedback that can be offered. Additionally, no one said this, however, I feel as though I get nervous during public speaking and know that I struggle with having my pitch come across in the most confident way. I have been working on improving on this and hope that it comes across in my delivery.