From Ex-Con to Executive | How John Jackson Turned Prison Hustles Into Legit Business Success

From being arrested at 17 to serving 18 years in prison, John Jackson’s journey is one of extraordinary transformation. Now the Executive Director of Defy Ventures Utah, John is using his past experiences to help incarcerated individuals rebuild their lives through entrepreneurship.In this episode, John shares his story of resilience, redemption, and how he turned a life of crime into a life of purpose. After serving nearly two decades behind bars, John’s involvement in the Defy Ventures program helped him discover the power of entrepreneurship, leading to his current role where he mentors others and empowers them to break free from their past.You’ll learn:- John’s journey from prison to Executive Director of Defy Ventures Utah- How Defy Ventures helps incarcerated individuals transform their hustling skills into legitimate businesses- The importance of personal ownership and self-forgiveness in making lasting change- Insights into breaking the cycle of recidivism and creating second chances for others- How mentorship and entrepreneurship can redefine someone’s futureThis episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about second chances, personal transformation, and the power of entrepreneurship to change lives. John’s story proves that no matter your past, your future can be built with determination, resilience, and a willingness to change.-----🔗 Connect with our guest:John Jackson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnjackson/Defy Ventures: https://www.defyventures.org/ | https://www.linkedin.com/company/defy-ventures/Follow REAL Mentors Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/realmentorspodcast/Host: https://www.instagram.com/seanmartinmotiv8/ | https://www.instagram.com/theseanmartin/-----Keywords and tags: second chances, entrepreneurship, John Jackson, Defy Ventures, criminal justice reform, redemption, mentorship, personal transformation, recidivism, breaking the cycle, leadership, nonprofit impact, inspiring stories, empowerment, business transformation, REAL Mentors Podcast#SecondChances #Entrepreneurship #JohnJackson #DefyVentures #CriminalJusticeReform #Redemption #Mentorship #Recidivism #PersonalTransformation #NonprofitImpact #REALMentorsPodcast