Escape The Odds

( Watch full video@ Escapingtheodds.com) Porscha Dlyte is the CEO of Opulence Brow and Beauty based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Life hasn’t always been a life of glamor. She spent over 3 years in Federal prison for tax related crimes. She kept a low profile while incarcerated and focused on developing herself. She knew that her time away would be a time of reflection. In her last year she enrolled in a business plan course and really focused on building a beauty empire upon her release. Opulence Brow and beauty offers training nationally to indivuals that aspire to earn a living as permanent make up artist. Currently there are 40 locations nationally. Continue to watch her grind and support Porscha @opulencebrows_n_beauty & wwww.opulencebb.com

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 now a sought after violence interrupter in countless prisons, author, and professor.

He successfully runs Academy of Hope throughout the world. His impact has been felt Liberia, Sweden, Honduras, and Trinidad to name a few. Continue to follow Andre’s remarkable journey at www.AndreNorman.com

( full video podcast seen on Escapingtheodds.com). In the last episode of our inaugural season, I sat down with these 3 men againwho are doing extraordinarily well in business after prison. Ben Gordon of Allied Innovation Group, David Figueroa of 2nd chance renovations and Vocci Greer of Luxuraint Commercial Cleaning of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They discussed overcoming The pandemic in business and prison. This is a must listen and share. Thank you all riding on this journey. Look for our 2nd season 2/2/20.

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.

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Episode 39 Escaping the Odds podcast we sat down  with Melissa Odell of Defy ventures along with participants Javier Reyes( 16 years incarcerated) and Ed bachner  ( 5 years incarcerated). Defy Ventures trains  individuals after incarceration to  turn their goals of entrepreneurship into reality. Javier Reyes has started FURR beauty which helps pets and ED Bachner has started Stateline payment processing service both in Illinois.  These skill sets learned have created new businesses and jobs in communities across the country. The men /women of DEFY VENTURES have learned to switch hustles and Defy the odds after incarceration. More information about the upcoming virtual class can be found at Defyventures.org

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

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Keidrain Brewster CEO of Brewster logistics spent 13 years in prison and not long after was able to create a successful life in the trucking industry. Well on his way to being a millionaire,he started with 1 truck and now owns/operates 5 trucks in 2 states. The trucking game has afforded him a life he can only dream of growing up on the streets of Dallas, Tx.

This story is a must watch and share. check him out at brewsterlogistics101.com for more info on his trucking mentorship program.

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.

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This story of Charles D Clark is made for this big screen. After 8 years in federal prison on drug charges he became a sought out actor with reoccurring role the hit TV show Empire. His new role in Charm city Kings releases on Oct. 8 produced by Will and Jada Smith, Starting rapper Meek Mill. Tune in and be inspired.