April 2025 Edition: Pitch Fest for the Biz You’ll Never Build

🤝 Forget awkward networking—this is where the real sh*t happens.

Welcome to Hustle Hard. Slide Faster., the only monthly event where business meets actual human connection. No boring elevator pitches. No stiff handshakes. Just fast-paced, no-BS storytelling that helps you make better connections.

💡 What’s the deal?
Each month, we gather at Graybox (107 SE Washington St #700, Portland, OR 97214) to bring people together in a way that actually works. This is Pecha Kucha style—a storytelling format where speakers get 20 slides for 20 seconds each to tell a compelling, hilarious, weird, or thought-provoking story. No fluff. No filler. Just real talk in real time.

💥 April’s Theme: "Pitch Fest: For the Biz You’ll Never Build"
You know that one business idea you’ve daydreamed about when your current business starts feeling like a flaming dumpster? Yeah—that one.

This month, we're asking you to go full Shark Tank on your fantasy biz, the one you’ll never actually start. Whether it’s your rage-quit dream job, a totally unserious side hustle, or the empire you fantasize about while ghosting your inbox… pitch it like it’s happening.

🌎 An Inclusive Space for All Voices
This isn’t just another bro-heavy business event. We welcome our friends of all gender identities and aim to be a space where marginalized voices—who don’t always get the mic in other rooms—get the stage they deserve. We’re different. We don’t operate in bubbles.

🍷 Did we mention it’s FREE? And we have refreshments?
Because let’s be honest—everything’s better with snacks.

🕔 When & Where
📆 Last Tuesday of every month
⏰ 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
📍 Graybox | 107 SE Washington St #700, Portland, OR 97214

🔥 Why the hell should you come?
Because business shouldn’t be boring. Most networking events try so hard not to be salesy that they end up stiff as hell, and before you know it, you’re tossing business cards into the void. This is different.

✔ Have fun. Who said business has to be stuffy?
✔ Make real connections. Loosen up, get to know people, and actually remember them after.
✔ Activate your humanity. Talk about sh*t that actually matters, because people don’t do business with robots.

Who’s this for?
Entrepreneurs, creatives, founders, freelancers, curious humans—anyone who’s sick of cringey networking and wants to meet interesting people in a way that doesn’t suck.

🎤 WANT THE MIC? APPLY TO SPEAK!
Got a wild business idea you’ll never actually launch? Now’s your chance to pitch it like your fake future depends on it.
Submit your slide deck and show us the biz that lives rent-free in your Notes app.

🗓️ Speaker submissions are due by Friday, April 25th.
After that? You’re out. 💼🦈

👉

(And if you just want to watch the madness unfold, snack, laugh, and connect? That’s cool too.) 😏

Host or Publisher Fat Cap Design + Sensible Woo