Watch full interview @ Escapingtheodds.com Richard's story begins on Wall Street, where he worked at several large investment banks. He became a partner at the infamous Wolf of Wall Street firm, Stratton Oakmont, depicted in the Movie starring Leonardo Dicaprio, The Wolf Of Wallstreet. He eventually started his own financial services firm, which he grew to 500 employees, generating $100 million in annual revenue. Unfortunately, some of his business practices were outside the law, and despite having paid everyone back, he was convicted of securities fraud, and served two years in a federal pris ..read more

Antwoin "Chef fresh" Gutierrez,  At the age of 16, He demonstrated the 1st signs of of an emerging, but misguided entrepreneurial spirit when he began to sell illegal narcotics on the streets of New York. He eventually was incarcerated a few times and realized he had to Switch Hustles or spend his life cycling in and out of prison. Chef Fresh created FRESH TASTE BAKERY, a delicious brand of alcohol infused pastries served at some of the most prestigous events in the Country. Chef fresh has appeared on Good Morning America's and has worked closely with national liquor brands. Listen as he ..read more

Watch the full interview @ Escapingtheodds.com. John Collum is the CEO of Bar nunn trucking out of Chicago. He owns and operate 4 semi trucks. John was born in poverty on the west side of Chicago. He decided early on that he wanted the finer things in life and the only way to attain it was through drug dealing. This mindset led him to prison for 1st degree murder at 18 years old. While incarcerated he was introduced to the world of trucking. After his acquittal of the murder charges, he vowed to live a honest life. He took his last $2000 and attended trucking school to earn his CDL. After 9 ye ..read more

Yohance Joseph Lacour better known as YJL designs learned to handcraft leather bags and Shoes while serving 10 years in Federal Prison. He discusses growing up in Chicago and his days as a journalist utilizing his skill set to tell the stories of the inner city. Yohance's craftmanship and unique style of design will change the game. Check it out for yourself at yjlacour.com. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaronesmith/support ..read more

Im Aaron Smith & my fed prison number was 18798-424. started this podcast after serving 9 years 5 months for distribution of Heroin and Fentanyl. It was inside where I realized that if I can run a heroin operation in Chicago making 10k-$15k per day I can switch Hustles and go legit. I’m highlighting stories of the formerly incarcerated who are now successful entrepreneurs. Enjoy. Be inspired. Bounce back.Escapingtheodds.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaronesmith/support ..read more

Watch full interview @ Escapingtheodds.com Erika king is the president of Chicago Neighborhood Intiative and Maleia Scufield-Ransom serves as the Program Manager of PERC. They’re both on a mission to empower the formerly incarcerated through entrepreneurship. Their organization trains and funds small businesses ran by the formerly incarcerated throughout the Chicagoland area. I personally graduated from this program (PERC) and the tools learned has helped me become a better entrepreneur. Listen as they discuss why they invest so much into this forgotten group of men and women. Follow their wor ..read more

Watch full interview at Escapingtheodds.com ) Myron Pierce born and raised in Omaha,Nebraska. From early on he got involved in gangs which led to serving 8 years in state prison. Upon his release, no longer was he a gangbanger but a reformed Pastor, businessman and community leader. Even Without any formal business experience he scaled a roofing company to multi millions in sales. It was this kind of experience that led Myron to spearhead SHIFT. His Omaha based entrepreneur program trains the undeserved community of North Omaha about the nuts & bolts of starting a company. Myron Pierce’s m ..read more

Andre Peart is the CEO Of tech Startup ConConnect.com , which is being described as the LinkedIn for the formerly incarcerated. Andre was raised in Yonkers, New York and pushed to the streets at the age of 15 and eventually perfected his craft distributing large quantities of marijuana. He attributes his business acumen to hustling on the streets. He was indicted for a shooting and drug distribution spending over 5 years in a New York State prison. While incarcerated he published a book in his 1st year of prison. After his released, he spent time building up his professional network and experi ..read more

Watch full interview @ Escapingtheodds.com Andre Norman, “The Ambassador of Hope”was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. By the time he was a teenager he was heavily in the streets full time and a high ranking gang member. At 18, he began to serve what Would ultimately be 14 years in both state and federal prisons across the nation. It was in those prisons, where he realized he was the “king of nowhere “ About halfway through his sentences while in solidarity confinement, he taught himself to read with the goal of attending Harvard and reversed his case leading to his release. Andre is n ..read more

(full video on escapingtheodds.com)Ronnie Reed survived 15 years in prison and now runs a successful Cryotherapy service in Dallas , TX. This unique service burns 500 calories with every 3-minute treatment reducing your body temp down to -240 degrees wow. His mobile service is the one and only in north Texas.  Listen as he breaks down how he came up with this idea while in prison. He also discusses his growth while in prison and several books that he penned while behind the wall.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaronesmith/support ..read more