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 prison. Upon release, he was destitute and homeless, but got back on his feet, and became Director of Defy Ventures, a prominent non-profit in the reentry space. In 2016, he left Defy to launch 70MillionJobs, where he serves as CEO. He currently is CEO of Commissary.club which is a social Network ( think Facebook) for people with criminal records. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaronesmith/support

Escaping The Odds

Season 2, Episode 6, RICHARD BRONSON- A wolf of wall street to federal prison!

(watch full podcast video https://www.escapingtheodds.com/ )Befitting for a queen is the best way to describe Ms. CoCo Davis. Growing up on the West side of Chicago, Coco made a name for herself as a hustler distributing Kilos of Columbian produced Cocaine. Her status in the streets was that of a Queen pen but the fast life caught up with her in 1999. She was convicted and sentenced to 262 months in federal prison as a 1st time offender. I will let you all do the math. During her incarceration she became an author and upon her release she is now the founder Xsqusite Premiere banquet hall. In addition, Sisters of Support transitional housing and Founder of Talk2mefoundation.org. This is a remarkable story of switching hustles and bouncing back. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaronesmith/support

Episode 15 QUEEN PEN

Tat Jesus ( Rahman Morgan) learned how to tattoo while in prison which has taken him all over the country and provided a great life. He is an artist at the world renown 9 mag tattoo studio which is the basis of the hit reality show " Black Ink Chicago" on VH1 seen by millions every week. Tune in as he breaksdown his life in the system and the business of Ink. He can be reached on Instagram @tatjesus --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaronesmith/support

Blood,Sweat & Ink!! epoisode 8

(watch full podcast video https://www.escapingtheodds.com/) Pierre Baker is the best example of "Doing the time and not letting the time Do You" .He's been incarcerated for  marijuana and a robbery charge, but  some how created an online affiliate marketing business FROM PRISON . He started a thousand dollar business  before he left prison. This brother is unstoppable! I look forward to seeing what the future holds upon his release. Stay tuned! facebook @pierrebaker --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaronesmith/support

Risky Business Episode 24

( Watch video podcast www.Escapingtheodds.com Pete "Esau" Keller made it out of one of Chicago's most dangerous housing projects. In and out of the penitentary and gun fights most of his life provided the experience to reach the youth with his organization ULON.life. He has penned an autobiograohy entitled Pete Keller, The Canrini Green Chronicles. This is a Must Read!!! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaronesmith/support

Surviving Cabrini Greens projects

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 discusses his life and the Culinary Hustle. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaronesmith/support

Chef Fresh, "Chef keeps it fresh from the streets to the sweets, Episode 34

Full video on Escapingtheodds.com Kevin Miller spent 13 years in federal prison on a drug charge out of Baltimore, Maryland and has Switch'd Hustles to start the book publishing company, Rock Bottom. His latest book is a 4 part series called " A park heights Tale", which he penned while Incarcerated. This brother has been home less than 90 days and Its a MUST READ. Tune in and hear his story on developing a publishing company from prison and building a team as an entrepreneur. Reach Kevin at @Rockbottompub on Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaronesmith/support

EPISODE 38|FROM THE PEN TO PEN:BECOMING AN AUTHOR WHILE I WAS IN PRISON/ KEVIN MILLER

2020 has been a crazy ride and as we close out our year l, I wanted to bring back some guest and catch up on their businesses. Coco Davis us a 9 time book Author, operates Talk2mefoundtion.org, she runs Sisters of Support transitional home, and Xqusite Premiere’ Event space in Chicago. She didn’t almost 14 years in federal prison.. Yohance Lacour us the CEO of YJL leather designs where he specializes in hand made bags and Sneakers. Yohance picked up this skill set while in Federal prison serving a 10 year drug sentence. He’s a sought out leather craft maker instructor. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaronesmith/support

Episode40/ REUNION Part 1/ Yohance Lacour & Coco Davis

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 years and 4 trucks later, he is an example of perseverance and determination. Follow his extraordinary life of grit @johncollumreal on Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaronesmith/support

Season 2, Episode 7, John Collum,

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://anchor.fm/aaronesmith/support

Tougher than leather. episode 5

“Tone Success” has always done things differently rather in the streets as major heroin dealer or in his new hustle, the apparel industry. He has created a clothing brand SVCCESS that’s worn by celebrities and every day people seeking success. After time in federal prison on drug charges he knew he had to switch hustles. Listen as he breaks down his story and how he has built a time tested clothing brand. @SVccessclothingnyc --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaronesmith/support

“Cut from a different cloth” episode 30,Tone Svccess

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://anchor.fm/aaronesmith/support

Escaping The Odds Promo

Watch full interview @ Escapingtheodds.com Sammy Rangel is the CEO of Formers Anonymous & lifeafterHate.org. He is a TedX speaker ,Consultant and earned a MSW. Early on life for Sammy could only be described as torture and neglect. Abused by close family members and hitting the streets of Chicago 11 years old. Joining a gang was his only sense of family and structure. Eventually his life on the streets led to 16 years in various prisons and earning the status as a high ranking maniac Latin Disciple. Sammy was radicalized in prison and hate became his best friend. His organization now helps the same kind of people filled with same kind of hate he once carried in his heart. This story epitomizes that a changed mind leads to a changed life and love conquers hate. Follow Sammy journey lifeafterhate.org Facebook SammyRangel --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaronesmith/support

Season 2, Episode 12, Sammy Rangel,

Watch full interview @ Escapingtheodds.com Todd Dubose CEO of Returning Citizens Magazine. It’s the official magazine of the justice involved community. The magazine can be read electronically on inmates computer tablets throughout jails and prisons nationally. He is providing an outlet for the men and women in bondage. His magazine goes in depth on providing information on topics like expungement, second chance housing, second chance jobs, and other badly needed the entry programing. Stay tune for more services to enrich the former and current inmates throughout the world. Returningcitizensmag.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaronesmith/support

Season 2, Episode 11, Todd Dubose

Watch full video @ Escapingtheodds.com Lester Young is a New York native but spent a significant amount of his life in South Carolina. He is the Founder of Path2Redemption. At the age of 19, he was convicted of 1st degree murder in a drug deal gone wrong. He was sentenced to life in prison with a 3% chance of parole. This was an odd that most prisoners didn’t escape in the state of South Carolin. During his incarceration, he became a positive role model and leader from behind the wall. Redemption was his focus rather that meant freedom or death in prison. Journaling was his escape and this excercise paved the way for his book 5 stages of incarceration. This is a must read. In the interview he discusses facing the spirit of his victim in his jail cell. Lester is now a free man and Escaped the Odds by receiving a pardon by the Governor of South Carolina. Follow his life at path2redemption.org --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaronesmith/support

Season 2, Episode 10, Lester Young, Path 2 Redemption through the journey of LIFE in Prison

Escaping the Odds highlights individuals who were impacted by the criminal justice system and who are now entrepreneurs. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaronesmith/support