Flower Power: Defy Ventures Helps Justice-Impacted Entrepreneurs Rebuild Their Lives
Celebrate the Champions of the Cannabis Community
Flower Power is LeafLink’s weekly series celebrating customers and organizations making a positive impact in cannabis. Every week, we’re spotlighting the change makers building a stronger, more inclusive industry.
This week, we’re honored to feature Defy Ventures, a national nonprofit committed to creating second chances for currently and formerly incarcerated individuals. Through education, mentorship, and entrepreneurship, Defy is opening doors to opportunity for people too often overlooked, and proving what’s possible when dignity meets determination.
We sat down with Jeanette Pineiro, Executive Director of Defy’s Tri-State chapter (serving New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut), to learn how her team and Defy’s eight national chapters are helping people build new futures — both in and outside of prison.
Helping Justice-Impacted Entrepreneurs Reclaim Their Futures
At the heart of Defy’s work is what Jeanette calls their “inside-outside” model. It begins with a seven-month in-prison program, CEO of Your New Life, which helps participants, called Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs), build the mindset, skills, and reentry plans needed for life beyond incarceration. From entrepreneurship and career readiness to personal development, every piece of the program is designed to spark transformation and build confidence.
When participants come home, Defy’s support continues. Each graduate receives a Chromebook and access to a reentry pathway focused on employment, mentorship, and long-term business success. For those who want to pursue entrepreneurship further, Defy offers a 17-week virtual bootcamp and business accelerator program tailored to their goals.
Building Businesses and Breaking Cycles
Defy’s impact is profound and measurable:
- Recidivism rates drop below 10% one year after program participation, compared to the national average of 20%
- 90% of participants find employment within six months of release
- Over 200 businesses have launched with Defy’s support
Defy continues to innovate. Jeanette’s team is piloting a new tech-focused entrepreneurship bootcamp, in collaboration with Next Chapter. The program combines technical skills with startup training, helping returning citizens explore paths in the growing tech space.
How You Can Show Up
Jeanette believes the most powerful way to get involved is to show up in person. Defy hosts coaching days in prison, pitch competitions, graduations, and virtual mentorship programs that offer real human connection, and challenge assumptions about what justice-impacted people are capable of.
You can also donate, sponsor an event, or even bring your corporate team inside for a one-day volunteer experience. Every interaction helps expand empathy and opportunity.
➡️ Visit defyventures.org to explore volunteer opportunities, sign up for updates, or make a contribution to support Defy’s mission.
Defy Ventures isn’t just preparing people for jobs, they’re helping individuals rediscover purpose, rebuild identity, and reclaim their futures. As Jeanette shared, “There’s an untapped pool of talent out there, and we’re here to help people believe in themselves again.”
📺 Watch the full conversation with Jeanette to hear more about Defy’s work — and how you can help build a more compassionate, just cannabis industry.