In this powerful episode, we sit down with John Jackson, Executive Director of Defy Ventures Utah, to explore his extraordinary transformation from a life of crime to a life of purpose.

At just 17, John was sentenced to 18 years in prison, spending four of those years in solitary confinement at California's notorious Pelican Bay State Prison. Once labeled "the worst of the worst," he made the courageous decision to leave gang life behind and chart a new course.

Since his release in 2019, John has dedicated himself to helping others break free from cycles of incarceration. Through his work with Hustle 2.0 and now Defy Ventures Utah, he empowers incarcerated individuals to become "CEOs of their new lives," providing them with the tools and mindset needed for successful reentry into society.

In our conversation, John shares:

• His personal journey of transformation and the challenges he faced.

• Insights into the programs at Defy Ventures that are changing lives.

• The importance of second chances and how society can support them.

This episode is a testament to the human capacity for change and the impact of compassion and opportunity. Tune in to hear John's inspiring story and learn how you can be part of the movement to redefine redemption.

In this episode of The Founder's Scoop, we sit down with Justin Johnson, founder of Outify—a startup helping small cities communicate with their residents in real-time through smart, text-based alerts for things like power outages, snow removal, and emergencies.

What started as a side hustle in car detailing quickly turned into a software company after a conversation with his father-in-law, a city power director, revealed just how outdated and clunky city communication systems are. Justin and his team got paid to build their first version by a city that needed it yesterday—and that traction launched a full-on B2G tech company.

We dive into the highs and lows of pivoting, the art of selling boring (but vital) ideas, and how Justin's approach to sales and persistence is powering his vision of reaching 100 cities.

If you're into startup pivots, public sector innovation, or just love stories of scrappy founders who figure it out as they go, this one's for you.

In this episode, we sit down with Kaden Terry, the founder of Bin Blasters, a fast-growing trash can cleaning business that’s making waves in the franchise world.

Kaden saw an opportunity in an overlooked industry—cleaning trash cans—and built a business that’s now expanding fast using the franchise model. With a unique cleaning system and a growing network of business owners, Bin Blasters is helping entrepreneurs start and scale their own operations.

We dive into how Kaden got started, the challenges of growing a service-based business, and why trash can cleaning is becoming a booming industry. If you’re looking for unexpected business inspiration, this episode is for you!

Tune in now!