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turned into a software company after a conversation with his father-in-law, a city power director, revealed just how outdated and clunky city communication systems are.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!

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In this episode, we sit down with Erick Tshimpe, an entrepreneur from the Congo who has started multiple businesses in Africa. Now, he’s tackling one of the biggest challenges for businesses—getting great online reviews.

His company, Zola, is revolutionizing the way businesses collect reviews using NFC tap technology in business cards. With a simple tap, customers can leave instant reviews, while businesses can track analytics and engagement like never before.

Erick shares his journey from launching local businesses in Africa to creating cutting-edge review technology that helps companies skyrocket their online presence. If you're a business owner, entrepreneur, or just love hearing about game-changing ideas, you won’t want to miss this one!

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In this episode, we dive into the incredible journey of Tom Wilkinson, a former Vivint salesman turned entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and co-founder of Neuro Nova. Tom used his summer sales success to fund his passion projects, including launching a venture capital firm and creating innovative solutions for addiction recovery. Neuro Nova, his newest groundbreaking company, uses electrostimulation technology to increase dopamine levels in the brain, helping individuals overcome addiction. Beyond his work in addiction recovery, Tom has started several businesses himself, and invested in numerous other businesses, combining his sales expertise with a passion for innovation and impact. Join us as Tom shares what summer sales didn’t teach you, how he turned his commissions into a launchpad for greater success, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation!

In this episode, we chat with Leilani and McKay Fugal, the dynamic husband-and-wife team behind Defiant Chocolate. McKay, a bodybuilder, and Leilani, a passionate entrepreneur, joined forces to create protein-packed chocolate bars that prove you don’t have to sacrifice flavor for nutrition.

Discover how they turned their shared vision into reality, the challenges they’ve faced as business partners and spouses, and how McKay’s fitness expertise helped shape their unique product.

Get inspired by their journey and learn what makes Defiant Chocolate stand out!

Don't forget to get your protein chocolate bar at defiantchocolate.com!

In this episode, we sit down with twin brothers Jake and Jed Poulsen, founders of The Bee Partner. Inspired by Corbin Church’s entrepreneurship class at BYU, they set out to make an environmental impact by scaling an idea already embraced by companies like Google.

The Bee Partner offers businesses the chance to own beehives, supporting environmental sustainability while reaping sweet rewards. Their program turns honey into unique corporate gifts and uses a creative social platform to promote participating companies, blending eco-consciousness with marketing innovation.

Tune in to hear their story, from the classroom to creating buzz in the business world, and how they’re proving that doing good for the planet can also be good for business.

Join us for a look at Errand, a startup that began as a platform to help individuals complete their errands—like hiring a driver to handle chores—but later pivoted to focus on B2B delivery services.

We dive into their journey, from the challenges of their initial model to the insights that led to their pivot. Now thriving as a B2B delivery partner for businesses, Errand has carved out a unique space in the logistics industry by blending innovation, adaptability, and customer-first thinking.

This episode is packed with lessons on finding your niche, embracing change, and scaling a business by focusing on what truly delivers value.

If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, pivots, or the world of logistics, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!