An entrepreneur-led day of real talk, bold ideas, and community-powered momentum
Fueling the Future:
What We Build Next Depends on Us
Join the Unconference
Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 9 AM – 3:30 PM
Vibe Coworks Poulsbo, Summit Space
This portion of the day is for current and aspiring business owners, innovators and entrepreneurs only.
If you are not directly working on a building or growing a business, please join us exclusively for the After Party!
Attend the After Party
Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 4 – 6 PM
Undisclosed location, The Centennial
Everyone welcome. Must be 21+ to attend.
2025 Unconference Agenda
9:00 AM
Doors Open
9:15 AM
Words of Welcome
VIBE COWORKS
MOXIE ENTREPRENEURIAL SUPPORT SERVICES
9:30 AM
The Fabric of What’s Next
The world is changing fast—but so are you. Come ready to spark your imagination and fuel your ambition as a founder navigating the edge of what’s next. Dr. Heath Hollensbe will open the day by exploring how empathy, resilience, and the thoughtful use of technology can help you future-proof and build something that truly lasts. This isn’t a how-to–it’s a call to reimagine what’s possible, and lead with intention into the future you want to create.
Speaker:
THE MERAKI AGENCY
10:00 AM
In Your Words:
What’s Next, and What’s in the Way?
In this interactive session, you’ll surface what matters most—what you’re striving for, and what’s getting in your way. Using post-it notes, you’ll respond to prompts designed to capture both your current challenges and your next big moves. These insights will be used to shape the agenda for the day’s breakout sessions in real time.
10:20 AM
Break
10:30 AM
Fireside Panel:
Founders on Fuel, Friction + Forward Motion
At the 2024 Firebrand Unconference, you told us what mattered most—Money, People, Growth, and putting your Oxygen Mask. This year, we’re checking back in. In this candid fireside conversation, you’ll hear from four founders who joined us at the 2024 Unconference and have kept the fire alive in the year since. From raising capital and navigating team dynamics to protecting their energy and betting on bold next moves, they’ll share what’s changed, what’s still hard, and what it really takes to build with strategy, soul, and staying power. You’ll laugh, nod, and maybe even see yourself in their stories.
Panelists:
EV POWER HANDLE
(MODERATOR)
VIOLETT
PHAIDRA
PHAIDRA
STUDEBAKER DESIGN CO.
11:20 AM
Today’s Unconference, Revealed
11:30 AM
Choose Your Challenge:
Deep Dive Discussion #1
Now it’s time to turn insight into action. In this session, you’ll break into small, founder-led discussion groups to explore the most urgent and energizing themes that surfaced in the morning’s “What’s Next, and What’s in the Way?” session. Whether you’re navigating growth, seeking capital, wrestling with burnout, or refining your next big move, you’ll work alongside peers to unpack root issues, share what’s worked (and what hasn’t), and surface real solutions you can take back to your business.
Come ready to dig deep, get honest, and help shape a more resilient, connected, and future-ready business community.
Facilitators:
12:30 PM
Lunch
Refuel and connect with fellow business owners and innovators while we break for a short lunch break.
Sponsored by:
1:30 PM
Choose Your Challenge:
Deep Dive Discussion #2
Keep the fire burning! In this second round of founder-led discussions, you’ll pick a new topic from the morning’s sticky note themes and dive into a fresh conversation with a new group of peers. Whether you’re circling back to a familiar challenge or exploring something outside your comfort zone, this is your chance to listen, share, and co-create actionable ideas to move your business—and our community—forward. No fluff, just real talk, real tools, and real connections.
Facilitators:
2:30 PM
Break
2:40 PM
Build Brave:
Why the Future Needs You at Full Strength
The future isn’t built by playing it safe. It gets built by founders willing to take risks, adapt, and keep the fire alive when things get tough. This closing keynote pulls together what we’ve uncovered today — the fuel, the friction, and the firestarters — and leaves you with one charge: to build brave, and to build it here.
Speaker:
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
3:10 PM
Closing Words
MATCHSTICK LAB
4:00 PM
Firebrand Kitsap After Party
Location: Secret location in The Centennial (near Vibe)
Separate ticket required for entry (buy now). Must be 21+
The Firebrand After Party is an informal mixer celebrating entrepreneurship, innovation, and small business growth across the Kitsap Peninsula, and you’re invited!
This portion of the day is open to everyone who is passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation. It’s your chance to continue the conversations from the day, and mix and mingle with founders, business owners, investors, creators, and champions in a relaxed, informal setting designed for building meaningful connections.
Ticket includes heavy appetizers and one complimentary drink.
Sponsored by:
About The After Party
The Firebrand After Party is an informal mixer celebrating entrepreneurship, innovation, and small business growth across the Kitsap Peninsula, and you’re invited!
Join us from 4 – 6 PM at a secret on-site location in The Centennial for this exclusive, ticketed event.
Open to everyone passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation, it’s a great chance to mix and mingle with founders, business owners, investors, creators, and champions in a relaxed, informal setting designed for building meaningful connections.
The After Party follows the Firebrand Unconference, held earlier at Vibe Coworks from 9 AM – 3:30 PM. While the Unconference is for entrepreneurs only, the After Party is open to all (ages 21+).
Your ticket includes heavy appetizers and one complimentary drink, offering the perfect setting to recharge, share insights, and network with Kitsap’s most dynamic business owners, leaders and visionaries.
Tickets are $60 General Admission or $30 for Unconference attendees.
Don’t wait to buy your ticket: space is limited, and expected to sell out!
Thank You, Sponsors.
The growth, expansion, and strengthening of businesses in and beyond Kitsap starts with each of us.
THANK YOU for helping us fuel the future.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Join us!
Economic Empowerment Partners
Sponsoring this forum and uplifting local businesses with resources and support, while giving startup founders and entrepreneurs the space to lead. Thank you!
Official Firebrand Lodging Sponsor
Because even the boldest builders need a good night’s rest.
Thanks for making sure our visiting Firebrands feel right at home!
The Founder’s Circle
The bold and the brave who backed Firebrand from the start — fueling its launch in 2024 and committing to its future growth. Thank you!
Fiercely created by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs, the 2024 Firebrand Unconference was more than an event: it was a raw, honest, energizing conversation about what’s working, what’s missing, and what’s still needed to make Kitsap the best place to launch and grow thriving businesses that impact our community, and the world.
This Report + Playbook captures the momentum of that day.
Inside, you’ll find the top challenges local entrepreneurs are facing, the themes that emerged when founders had the floor, and bold, actionable insights for stakeholders across the ecosystem.
Whether you’re a founder, business owner, policymaker, educator, mentor, investor, or ecosystem builder, this is your call to listen, act, and fuel what comes next.
The term “firebrand” refers to a person who is passionate, energetic, and outspoken. Firebrand is derived from the image of a burning piece of wood (a brand) that ignites and spreads fire, metaphorically representing someone who ignites passion or inspires others with their fervor and outspokenness.
In a business context, “firebrand” also denotes a leader or influencer who drives change and challenges the status quo with bold ideas and actions, which is precisely why the “Firebrand Unconference” name feels so right.