Michelle Troconis Shines at DEFY Ventures Graduation with FULLY Slippers

On September 10, 2025, Michelle walked with pride at her DEFY Ventures graduation inside York CI. A place where she shouldn’t be because she is innocent, yet a place where she stands tall, fighting to overturn her wrongful conviction. Facing an audience of more than 80 peers, families, volunteers, and staff, Michelle held her head high and delivered a touching pitch full of courage, creativity, and innovation.

Through DEFY’s CEO of Your New Life (CEO YNL) program, participants learn to turn anxiety into confidence, building healthy habits, employment readiness, and entrepreneurial skills.

Michelle presented her project: FULLY Slippers, handmade with love while enduring her wrongful conviction. FULLY is more than slippers; it is a mission to restore dignity, inspire hope, and create systemic change. Each pair carries a story, a purpose, and a vision for a better future.

In Michelle’s Own Words – The FULLY Movement Speech

"Hello everyone, and thank you for being here.

Do you know how many people have been wrongfully convicted in the United States? Out of 2 million incarcerated individuals, at least 5 %, that is more than 100,000 people, are innocent. Some studies suggest that number could be double.

In 2024, after experiencing firsthand the pain of a wrongful conviction, I searched for ways to heal. What I discovered is that a little creativity and a healthy dose of hope can carry you through almost anything.

What started as a form of therapy has grown into something meaningful, a mission, a business rooted in resilience. That is how FULLY Slippers was born.

Fully hopeful. Fully grateful. Fully loved. Fully free.

Each color sole in our collection represents part of who we are. Each pair is handmade, comfortable, practical, washable, and created with purpose.

Our mission is to hire and empower formerly incarcerated women and to support justice reform through creativity and advocacy, ensuring fairness and protection for all without prejudice.

Every slipper carries a label in Braille, mirroring Lady Justice’s iconic phrase: justice is blind. A reminder that the judicial system must be fair and transparent.

A percentage of our profits will be given to a nonprofit organizations that share our mission of fighting wrongful convictions. Today, I have donated 200 slippers to supporters worldwide, sparking conversations and raising awareness to the seriousness of this injustice.

This is more than a product, it is a movement. Every small step we take together brings us closer to freedom for the wrongfully convicted.

Thank you, Michelle Troconis"

We are thrilled to share that Michelle placed 2nd out of 17 competitors and received the Family Support Award for best project. Her sister, Daniela, reflected:

"It is bittersweet, but what makes me most proud of my sister is that she is transforming lives. Every single person at that event came to us with something kind to say about Michelle. She is truly making a difference in their lives. She is a light in a place where she doesn’t belong. I couldn’t be more proud of her."

Every pair of FULLY slippers represents hope. Proceeds support organizations fighting for the wrongFULLY convicted and advocating for justice.

By walking in FULLY slippers, you help bring someone one step closer to freedom.

Check them out: www.fullyslippers.com