Episode 2 -Breaking Barriers: From Prison to Estimator at PHP Commercial Painting

Show Transcript

00:00:00:00 - 00:00:12:19
John
Good morning and welcome to the second episode of Workforce Skills with John Morris. I'm happy to have on here a great employee of mine and a great success story.

00:00:12:19 - 00:00:16:01
John
DJ has been with me now for I've known you for almost two years. A little over two years.

00:00:16:01 - 00:00:17:03
DJ
Yes, sir. Almost three.

00:00:17:07 - 00:00:44:18
John
Yeah. So he was in our very first class that we started when we started this vocational program, helping guys out of prison and get to that next phase in their life. And it's been an interesting journey with him knowing the amount of time that he was locked up for. And, you know, it's he's one of the guys that I used to tell stories about in class, but never use his name as someone that was trying to make up for lost time.

00:00:44:20 - 00:01:13:20
John
And you've realized you can't do that. So maybe, D.J., you know, one of our topics today is personal preparedness for work and in life. And, you know, you've been through the ringer the last couple of years, you know, getting back to regular life and learning how to live again. Yeah. You know, so I tell everybody, you know, a little bit about you and your story, realize that, you know, somebody out there has the same story as you.

00:01:13:21 - 00:01:20:10
John
You know, they're going to relate to you a little bit. So. Tell us a little bit about you and what brought you into our class and got you there to begin with.

00:01:20:12 - 00:01:36:15
DJ
well, a little bit about me. So, you know, I did a little bit of time for my mishaps back in the day, so I end up at New Freedom and it was when it started, it was the first painting class and so it was cool to be a part of that. And I learned a lot while being there.

00:01:36:15 - 00:01:53:12
DJ
Like a lot of stuff that I never learned before because I've never had a job, you know, and so like to like, learn how to the etiquette and how to present yourself when you're at work, you know, really meant a lot and really helped me carry it on to the streets. So when I finally actually got out, wasn't able to work.

00:01:54:16 - 00:02:07:05
John
Yeah. So where when you started with us out of once you got out in the 90 day program at New Freedom, what was your path with our company? What? Where did you start out?

00:02:07:07 - 00:02:24:12
DJ
Well, I originally didn't get hired through you guys. I got hired through somebody else. I was like one of the first few people to get hired through the class. And from there I worked with them for a little bit. But ultimately it wasn't like the best fit for me. I had like bigger goals in mind. They are more smaller outfit.

00:02:24:12 - 00:02:36:04
DJ
Mom and pops, You know, I only had like one or two employees. And so, yeah, I called you guys up and told you my situation, told you where I wanted to be at, and you guys hired me, you know? And so I've been with you guys ever since.

00:02:36:10 - 00:02:38:00
John
And you start as a painter with us? Yep.

00:02:38:01 - 00:02:38:14
DJ
Started out.

00:02:38:14 - 00:02:39:01
John
From there.

00:02:39:04 - 00:02:58:09
DJ
Yeah. So I started off as a painter. I was in a field for about, I would say, like, 2 to 3 months doing like me. And I had another guy with me and we were just going and knocking stuff out as a duo. And I just expressed interest of being in an office and like, you know, learning the ins and outs of a business and everything.

00:02:58:09 - 00:03:11:11
DJ
And so eventually I made my way to the office, you know, you guys will bring me in for a while and teach me and, and just seeing that, that I was taking a liking to it and I was really learning from it fast. And so, yeah.

00:03:11:13 - 00:03:18:02
John
And when you came in, what were we teaching you? What, what, what skills were you what knowledge were you gaining coming into office?

00:03:18:03 - 00:03:33:19
DJ
I mean, I gained a lot about the construction side of it, like reading blueprints, products, you know, and also just how to carry myself really, and how to talk the verbiage to use while I'm in construction. And yeah, so okay.

00:03:33:21 - 00:03:36:16
John
So your position now with the company is.

00:03:36:17 - 00:03:37:21
DJ
I'm a commercial animator.

00:03:38:01 - 00:03:41:06
John
Okay. So you're building some pretty big jobs out there too, aren't you?

00:03:41:07 - 00:03:42:07
DJ
Sarah Yes.

00:03:42:07 - 00:04:04:02
John
Yeah. So and landing them, which is amazing. You know, one thing that one of my observations with you that you've struggled with over the last couple of years, and I think you've really toned it back here recently is you're trying to make up for lost time, right? You're trying to do everything so fast and so quick and you needed to stop and step back.

00:04:05:00 - 00:04:20:15
John
What was it that I mean, what were you going through as you're thinking about this? I need to do this. I need to go skiing. I need to go play golf. I need to go do this and that and try to get everything under your belt. And then what changed to make you actually start to slow down a little bit?

00:04:20:17 - 00:04:21:22
John
Tell us a little bit about that.

00:04:21:22 - 00:04:58:08
DJ
Right. So I had a whole plan for myself. Like when I got out, it was like you said, make up for lost time. It was so much stuff that that I didn't get to do and that people in their twenties get to do, you know, before they're 30 and they really like, settle down, if you will like. So I told myself there's a whole bunch of things I wanted to do, you know, And then that and also being on social media, you know, so seeing people do things and I'm just at home like bored, not doing anything, it would make me want to go do things as well, you know, and not really knowing like

00:04:58:09 - 00:05:16:18
DJ
that. Maybe they saved up for weeks to go do that one thing. I was just seeing that they were doing that thing and that itself made me want to go do something because it was like fear of missing out, if you will, you know? But I think eventually what made me like hone it all in is one, I had to realize that I can't make up for lost time.

00:05:16:18 - 00:05:37:06
DJ
That time is gone, so I can't get that back. But what I can do is I can set myself up, you know, to have a great future. So those things that that I missed out on or I didn't have the money to do, if I just work hard, I'll be able to do all that easily and like not be paycheck to paycheck or stressing on bills.

00:05:37:06 - 00:05:59:02
DJ
You know, I wouldn't have to think twice that this cost that much money. I know that I wanted to do it. So that's what I went and did, you know. And so that ultimately, like I took a break from social media because it was like getting a lot to me. And I just ultimately had to realize that social media is just that, you know, it's like it's like, you know how they say don't judge a book by its cover?

00:05:59:02 - 00:06:23:17
DJ
Well, social media is that covers so like if you just look at someone's social media, you would think, he's this, he's that. But really, when you get down to the deep roots of it, it's not the case, you know? So it was like that was like playing a big affect in my life. So I took a big break for that because I ultimately realized that, like a lot of these people that I see doing these things or went and bought the new Jordans, they just have that, you know, but they don't have a secure apartment over that place.

00:06:23:17 - 00:06:36:18
DJ
They don't have a career, they don't have all this other stuff. So when I look and see, I don't have that. You know, I ultimately realize of all the things that I do have, which ultimately is a lot more important than those material things, you know? And so.

00:06:36:18 - 00:06:40:15
John
Yeah, it's almost like you're trying to run a 100 yard dash instead of looking at the marathon.

00:06:40:16 - 00:06:41:05
DJ
Absolutely.

00:06:41:05 - 00:07:01:15
John
It takes time and nothing's going to come to you there. There is no quick fix. No, no, it does take time. I know you've struggled with purchasing vehicles. That was an issue in the beginning. You know, other people going through the same thing that you're going through. What advice would you give someone coming out that wants to feels like they've got to get that car, that truck right away.

00:07:01:15 - 00:07:06:02
John
Right. What would your advice be to them or how would you explain what you went through and how they could handle it?

00:07:06:04 - 00:07:27:02
DJ
I would say like, wait, I literally like anyone listening. I promise you this the best advice I could give you if you literally just wait three months and it seems like a long time, but it's not at all. If you wait three months, you'll be able to have a nice working vehicle that's going to get you to and from work, get you where you need to go.

00:07:27:04 - 00:07:58:06
DJ
And it's not going to break down on you. See, what we do is and there's places meant for this, for guys like us that cannot go anywhere else to get a great car. They have to come here. It's a reason why it says on there, we approved 99% of people to get into these cars. You know, like there's parameters set in place where when you mess up and do this for a reason, to let well-known establishments know that, hey, he's not responsible with money.

00:07:58:08 - 00:08:14:09
DJ
So when there is a big red flag saying that, hey, this guy's not responsible with money, but you have this company saying, we don't care about that, we'll get you. And that should be a red flag itself, you know, And so to save your money, don't go to the pay here in house financing. Don't do any of that.

00:08:14:09 - 00:08:36:06
DJ
You know, you want to if you're going to get a used car from a dealership, go to someone that is one. What are the pre a pre reputable reputable meaning like if something messes up with it, they'll fix it for you. It's there's not nothing that put underneath the door and there was under flood damage or all that salvage title you know and so just do it the right way.

00:08:36:06 - 00:08:54:08
DJ
You'll be very, very in a long run happy because what's going to happen is you're going to spend that money and everything is going to be fine. It's going to get you to and from work, but it's going to cost you headaches, is going to cost you money. You know, like I'm dealing with a you know, a repossession, my credit, you know, luckily my credit is still new.

00:08:54:10 - 00:09:04:22
DJ
So it's not going to be the seven years, but it's like I have future I have goals like I want a house, I want certain things and it doesn't look good on my, you know, on my credit.

00:09:05:02 - 00:09:14:01
John
Yeah. And so what are you doing now to prepare yourself for the future of getting a vehicle and where you're at and what you're doing? What are you changing?

00:09:14:03 - 00:09:34:15
DJ
Well, me right now, I'm just. I'm decided that, like, if I do something like that, go to a dealership, it's going to be something that I really, truly like want that I've been, you know? But in the meantime, I've been saving my money and I decided that I'm just going to get a used car, spend about 2500, 3000 on it.

00:09:34:17 - 00:09:58:12
DJ
And this way, if it does break down, then I'm not paying 405 50 a month for a car. That doesn't work. You know, I can let it sit where it sit, save up more money, fix the parts that need to be fixed and then I'll have a car again. But the long term goal while I'm working on my credit and everything, eventually to, you know, get something more reliable, something new, something that I like, something I'm gonna feel good about.

00:09:58:15 - 00:10:16:11
John
Yeah. You know, it's amazing for me sitting here talking with you is the maturity that I hear from you compared to what I saw two years ago when you first got out. It's definitely a huge change. You've really grown and matured over the last two years. Thank you. So I my hat's off to you for your success and where you're at right now.

00:10:16:13 - 00:10:31:14
John
It's an honor to have you working for us, having you in the office estimating jobs. I know you just landed a job the other day. I think it was Harkins Theater repaint. Yeah. You know, which was well over $100,000. Yeah. You know, so that's a great feather in your cap.

00:10:31:14 - 00:11:03:10
DJ
And that was it was exciting, too, because it's different from just landing jobs. The significance of that one is we're going to turn it down like the blueprints were so like contradicting and it was like this expensive paint no one heard of signed eventually call it on and say, Now we're good. I explained it to them. Their boss called me and explained it to him again and I just something told me like, I don't want another option because at the end of the day I've realized like, we know what we're talking about with paint and finishing.

00:11:03:10 - 00:11:21:21
DJ
So it may say one thing, but ultimately they would hope that we give our best entrance if we see like, No, this won't work, that system will fail that, you know. And so I say, you know what? How about if I give you a add alt with typical paint, you know, rather as this expensive paint. So you can see the difference.

00:11:21:21 - 00:11:36:16
DJ
You kind of know. And that led to a relationship. We talked more and just after talking and come, you know, because everyone else was scared to take this this job because he didn't know about the product and they just didn't want to do their research or their homework. And so, yeah, you know, and.

00:11:36:18 - 00:11:57:18
John
So sounds like, you know, what you're talking about when it comes to estimating the paint and the blueprints. And how does that reflect when you go out on the job site now, when you're out there with these superintendents or these general contractors or possibly owners of these properties, and here you are a guy that's been a majority of your time in prison, you've got tattoos on your face.

00:11:57:20 - 00:12:05:10
John
First impressions can be good or bad, depending on how someone looks at you, Right. How do you overcome that? How do you prepare for that when you walk on a job.

00:12:05:10 - 00:12:26:11
DJ
Site just that way? You said, I'm prepared. Like I go home and look up products, like I go home and watch YouTube on things, on the ins and outs. So I'm prepared. And then I've realized that 70% of the time when I call these people, I know more than them about this job.

00:12:26:11 - 00:12:27:10
John
They don't know what they know because.

00:12:27:10 - 00:12:43:06
DJ
They did not read the specs. They didn't take the time to read the specs like I read stuff like because it interests me. So it's like when I walk on these job sites, unlike when I first started and I was a project managers night and day, like I was terrified they're going to know. I don't know what I'm talking about, this and that.

00:12:43:08 - 00:13:01:06
DJ
But now I don't care if they know that I've been working for two years because I guarantee I'll put in a lot more work than half the people that are there right now, you know? And so with that being being said, it's like I'm confident because I really feel that I can win a job faster if I go see you in person rather than the paper.

00:13:01:09 - 00:13:08:20
DJ
Yeah, because you'll get to see me. You'll get to see the person I am. You'll see that I'm determined and I'm going to take my time to make sure that everything is right, you know?

00:13:08:21 - 00:13:24:17
John
And regardless of seeing him face to face, a lot of these people you've already talked to on the phone before, you go out there to them so they know your personality. They've get to meet you verbally on the phone and hear your energetic ness and who you are. And then to get out there, they just look right past everything else.

00:13:24:19 - 00:13:40:02
DJ
I'll tell you what, though, a lot of people do say shocks them. Okay. So give us an example. The way I talk on the phone, like, you know, and my character, my personality, and then when you see me and you see all these face tattoos and tattoos and you're just like, it's not the.

00:13:40:03 - 00:13:40:21
John
Power they expect.

00:13:40:21 - 00:14:01:22
DJ
You know, when you see hear the name, you hear the voice and you're you know, you're not the person that you're like, holy cow, You know, But a lot of people have told me that the way that I carry myself, they would never have known that I went to prison. They would just figure the tattoos or just from like, you know, yeah, my lifestyle being into, you know, skateboarding or whatever the case, maybe so.

00:14:01:23 - 00:14:20:22
John
So you've literally made a complete change out of your life compared to where you came from, what you've done. So you've changed the way you walk, the way you talk, the way you dress, the way you carry yourself. Yeah, it's been a major change. How's your family look at you now? Or do they look at you differently? Or did it take time for them to accept that this really is you?

00:14:21:00 - 00:14:49:12
DJ
Yeah. No, it definitely, like, helped a lot. Like my family. They're involved in my life now. I know when I first got out, it was kind of let's see what happens. We see how he acts before we, like, fully get involved. But like, like this is cool. Like my dad, Like when I first got out, you know, I kind of explained to him like, Hey, man, you'd think I could borrow 1200 dollars because I'm trying to get a car this and that and that in case.

00:14:49:12 - 00:15:05:15
DJ
And he gave me to work and he never gave me 1200 dollars. It was like the first car I got. It wasn't the best car, end up selling it and got it to that mess of what it is. But he's like, Yeah, I'm going to do this for you. Pay me $100 every month for 12 months. I said, Cool.

00:15:05:17 - 00:15:09:22
DJ
Well, six months into it, he said, You don't even got to pay him back no more. You know.

00:15:10:03 - 00:15:11:13
John
He saw that you were just trying to, you.

00:15:11:13 - 00:15:36:06
DJ
Know, and that meant a lot like and just the super excited and super proud of me because I always think like I was here. And before I got locked up, people asked my parents, how's D.J., How's your other brothers? he's doing this right now. Or he's playing basketball. He's playing that, you know, good things. So I always thought to myself, like when I got locked up, what were those stories like?

00:15:36:08 - 00:15:56:19
DJ
Like when people ask, because I'm not here anymore, but those same people need to ask about me. So now you got to say, he's locked up. And I know that's not a great feeling probably for a parent. So like, I know they're super ecstatic and I'm super excited just to give them that feeling to like when people ask about me, he's a project estimated all the same one that just did all that time.

00:15:56:22 - 00:16:09:03
DJ
Yeah. he's this like and so, like, that brings me joy to know that like once I was a failure, you know, and like, now people are excited to, like, talk about me, you know, and, and just be involved with me. Yeah.

00:16:09:05 - 00:16:25:01
John
So what do you do on a day to day basis to prepare yourself for the next day for success? Like today's Monday, for example. You got tomorrow. I know you guys got a ton of work to bed today. What are you doing to set yourself up for tomorrow? How do you prepare me?

00:16:25:01 - 00:16:44:02
DJ
So I like to towards the end of the day, usually unless. Unless we're like, super, like, busy. But I say about like 215. I like to look at the jobs for tomorrow and then I'll get a feel for them. And after doing this for a while, I'll know which jobs are going to be bigger, which job is going to be harder based on like a tie or shale or, you know.

00:16:44:04 - 00:17:13:23
DJ
And so then I kind of get familiar with them. And then from there, like if we have time, we'll try to like ahead of time just to kind of set us ourselves up. But going home to prepare myself for the next day, getting some good sleep, a great make sure that I make sure that I eat because I one thing I've noticed is I have a tendency of working hard and I'll forget to eat, you know, like and it'll be to the point to where I'll, I get super hungry and then it's like I'm forcing myself to eat.

00:17:13:23 - 00:17:31:02
DJ
At that point because like, my stomach hurts. So, but like, I've also noticed that that plays a big role in how my day goes, you know, my, you know, my diet. So it goes with that. Make sure I give me a good meal. You know, I make sure I set myself up. Like when I wake up in the morning, everything's lined up.

00:17:31:04 - 00:17:50:11
DJ
I pick out my clothes the night before, you know, everything. I have everything because I have a tendency to wake up in the morning and, you know, to do a thousand things, wake up in the morning, everything's on my mind. So to make sure my key things I don't forget. I'll have them by the door. Yeah. Wallet, phone key, you know, clothes lined out.

00:17:50:12 - 00:17:51:21
DJ
Good to go. You know.

00:17:51:23 - 00:18:08:18
John
It's interesting because we teach in our class about being prepared for the next day. And I talk about setting your clothes out for the next day. And it's interesting. And some of the guys and gals going through our program, how they say that after a period of time, they realize they start doing this even while they're in the program for those 90 days.

00:18:08:18 - 00:18:23:11
John
They start setting their clothes up for the next day, what they're going to wear. You know, I didn't realize it, but over the years, what I've done is everything I have hanging in my closet, all my jeans, all my slacks, all my shirts are hung a certain way. And I have a pattern as I rotate them.

00:18:23:11 - 00:18:24:00
DJ
Okay.

00:18:24:02 - 00:18:38:05
John
And I know what I'm wearing. I can look at my closet, know what I'm wearing three or four days down the road because of where my shirts are lined up. Right? And I used to think my wife never knew this until she came to one of my classes and she was sitting in her list and I was talking about she goes, I've known for years you've done that.

00:18:38:05 - 00:18:53:20
John
And I didn't realize it, but it's just it's funny. The little things, the smallest things are going to set you up for the biggest success out there for the next day, the next project, whatever it is. And we don't realize it, whether it's making your lunch the night before or that morning early, get up early in doing it.

00:18:53:22 - 00:19:12:01
John
You know everything from leaving the house on time. You know, I've always preached you're only on time if you're 10 minutes early or what are you going to do to get there and be early and be on time? You know, it's leaving the house early enough knowing that, okay, I'm stopping for a cup of coffee. What if there's extra five people in line ahead of you?

00:19:12:01 - 00:19:27:23
John
And so I'm just trying to come up with change and it takes you 10 minutes in order to get a cup of coffee. Right? Or you get a flat tire. We hear every excuse in the book from our guys that work for us. A flat tire or my transmission or this. My truck won't start. It gets old. It really does.

00:19:28:01 - 00:19:32:15
John
And it's we can almost write a book on a million different ways why people call out sick.

00:19:32:21 - 00:19:33:09
DJ
Right.

00:19:33:11 - 00:19:52:07
John
And it's just getting up early enough to make sure you're ready. You know, it's amazing how many guys are late every single day. Well, what do you do to yourself? What? When it comes to the next promotion at work or the next position to move up and they wonder, well, why don't I get chosen? Well, you're never on time, right?

00:19:52:08 - 00:20:08:19
John
You've got excuse after excuse. I said, you know, we sit in the office and right now I know we're looking at another estimate her in to work with you guys. And part of it is you guys are going to help decide who that person is going to be. Well, as we pick this person, well, do they show up to work every day?

00:20:08:23 - 00:20:27:12
John
Do they call out sick every day? I mean, what I'm not looking for the best painter. I'm looking for the best employee. Right? That's what we're looking for. You can teach anybody to paint. You can teach anybody to read blueprints if they're willing to learn. Yeah, but can you teach someone to show up on time every day to be there?

00:20:27:14 - 00:20:44:13
John
And that work ethic that we're looking for, you know, it's you either want it or you don't. Absolutely. You know, I can't make you show up to work today. Yeah, but you showed up on your own. You made yourself do it right, you know, And that that's what we need out there with these guys that are coming out of here.

00:20:44:15 - 00:21:07:07
John
And when they do get out, what are their expectations for themselves? It's not just us, right? You know, I'm sure you had expectations for yourself, You know, what were you expecting? I mean, were you thinking you're going to come out, you're going to make 50 bucks an hour right off the bat. It's not going to happen. But what were your expectations and how did you deal with the ones that didn't come to fruition?

00:21:07:09 - 00:21:13:05
DJ
See me? I told myself, okay, I lied. Someone told me,

00:21:13:07 - 00:21:14:16
John
Busted.

00:21:14:18 - 00:21:33:02
DJ
He said, When you get out there because I told him it didn't matter if it was McDonald's or whatever or whatever opportunity I have to work, I know I'm going to just work my butt off and I'm a learn what I can and I'm going to be at the top of that position to where I can make that money, to where, you know, I'm living comfortable.

00:21:33:04 - 00:21:51:03
DJ
And he told me, he said, Don't be an eight hour man. You know, don't be that eight hour guy that guy that comes to work does this eight hour goes home. You know, you want to be more than that. You want to be the guy that's relied on. You want to be the guy that goes the extra mile because those are the guys that get ahead.

00:21:51:03 - 00:22:08:19
DJ
You know, he told me, he told me the guys that complain, they don't pay me enough to do that. Don't be that guy. Be the guy that's doing that stuff that they don't pay you enough to do because eventually they'll pay you more than what you know. And so that's just the way I think. Like, I know that this is not it.

00:22:08:20 - 00:22:24:16
DJ
You know, like I'm 32 years old. I know I got to at least if I'm healthy, another 32 years, that's a long time, you know? And so it's like it goes back with that making up for lost time. I don't have to because I still have a whole lot of time, you know, a.

00:22:24:16 - 00:22:25:15
John
Whole lifetime in front of you.

00:22:25:15 - 00:22:46:13
DJ
Right. You know, and then looking at also in the aspect for me personally, from where I came from, right, I'm going on three years and I'm estimated right now, you know, this doesn't happen. You know, you know, since I look at it like I'm putting in my dues, I'm putting in my time, like I may be better than the guy painting that's been painting for 20 years, but that's the difference.

00:22:46:13 - 00:23:04:03
DJ
He did 20 years. He put in his time, you know, And so I just I just want to be there because when I make it fully make it there, I don't want to be any excuses. he didn't put his time. He didn't do that. And then when you're in those trenches and you're going through that, you respect it more, you know, And it's just it means a lot more.

00:23:04:03 - 00:23:04:18
John
You've earned it.

00:23:04:18 - 00:23:06:10
DJ
Absolutely. You know.

00:23:06:12 - 00:23:25:18
John
Now it's interesting, you know, with the guys what you mentioned, the hourly guys and I'm only putting in their hours or I only get paid to do this. Right. It's what are you doing to go the extra mile? What are you doing to make yourself stand out more than anybody else? I tell you what, with me, when it comes to work, I want to shine more than anybody else.

00:23:25:22 - 00:23:39:00
John
Right? I want to be at the top of my game. But I also know to be at the top of my game, I got to lift everybody else up with me and we grow together. You know, the guys that have done the best with us in the company or get the most money are the ones that never ask for it.

00:23:39:02 - 00:23:53:09
John
You're just the ones that show up and put out, you know, I'm going to show up and do whatever I have to do to get my job done today. Right? There's no time. Frame it. There's 24 hours in a day. What am I going to do with those 24 hours? I know I got to sleep a certain amount of time.

00:23:53:11 - 00:24:07:19
John
I know I got to work a certain amount of time, but what am I doing after work or when I'm not at the job site when I go home? Am I sit in front of TV just watching TV? Right? Or am I trying to educate myself and better myself? Yeah, you know, right now I'm reading a book, you know, I'm trying to read more, right?

00:24:07:20 - 00:24:23:22
John
And I struggle with that and where I struggle with reading. I've also do an audio book in my truck when I'm driving, when I'm by myself. I put that on so it's trying to educate yourself and better yourself at all the time, right? You know, I'm never going to make an excuse. I don't have this because of somebody else.

00:24:24:00 - 00:24:41:05
John
It's if I don't have something, it's because of me. Right? You know, I think the biggest thing that I've seen with a lot of guys that come through the program with you is they're so easy to blame everybody else. this isn't working out because of this. It's because of this person or because of this situation. How many guys got locked up and, I didn't do it.

00:24:41:05 - 00:24:44:08
John
It was someone else's fault. I got busted because of this guy.

00:24:44:09 - 00:24:45:01
DJ
Everyone innocent.

00:24:45:02 - 00:25:05:19
John
Everybody. He says it. But what you got to look at is when you can look yourself in the mirror and stare yourself dead square in the eyes and say, You know what? Everything I have done that's gone wrong or good is because of me. Yeah, that's when you start to change. Yeah, that's what I think. We all see a change within ourselves, you know, That's when you can start preparing for something better, right?

00:25:05:21 - 00:25:23:23
John
Because anything I have done wrong, it's because of me. It's because my choices. Right? No one made me do it. No one made you do something to get locked up. Yeah, You did it on your own. You know, now no one's making you do the right thing. Yeah, you're doing it on your own. You're making that conscious choice to make that change in your life.

00:25:24:00 - 00:25:46:11
John
Right? And that's what it takes. So what am I going to do today to change my life? To make my life better for tomorrow? What am I going to do to have a better life, right? To have more money or be better spiritually or mentally, emotionally, financially, physically, whatever it takes. Right. You know, you mentioned today on the ride over here that you're going to start working out.

00:25:46:15 - 00:26:03:09
John
You know, you're trying to better yourself. Yeah. You know, what are you going to do to better yourself down the road? Right. You know, how are you going to take care of yourself? You know that That's what we have to look at. And the change for me is how can I help you? You know, because helping you makes me a better person, right?

00:26:03:10 - 00:26:20:10
John
And how can I help myself to be better equipped to help you in your life journey and what you're going through? You know, the way I look at it with our program and with our our business, for me, it's not how much money the business makes, it's how many more jobs can I add? How many more people can I help?

00:26:20:12 - 00:26:38:11
John
How many more people can we add to our company to build a bigger And even if our company breaks even and I'm able to have another 100 employees this year, it's a win for me because that's 100 guys that we kept from going back to prison or get off the streets or help them educate themselves better to get somewhere further in life.

00:26:38:11 - 00:26:47:04
John
Yeah, you know, I know you mentioned to me that you want to start giving back and doing this. You know what? What makes you want to help others? Now, what's changed.

00:26:47:04 - 00:27:09:18
DJ
Is you just being in there and like. Like I know my whole life I've been hearing, like, I got so much potential. I got so much potential, but I never used to see it because like, I would always, like, be into dumb things, you know? And I got whatever they tell everyone that. But like, now I'm able to see, like all the potential that people said that I had.

00:27:09:18 - 00:27:30:02
DJ
Like I see what they were seeing. Like maybe they're seeing that I learned fast or this in a case like I could see that now. And there's so many guys like me in there that have so many potential, you know, like looking at me right after listening to this, you wouldn't think that I'm a bad guy. Maybe you'd be like, okay, he's actually a he has he has a good heart.

00:27:30:02 - 00:27:47:15
DJ
And a lot of us do. You know, we just went down the wrong paths. But it sucks though, because when we go down that wrong path, the reason why it's harder for us to get back is not because we don't want to is because we don't have opportunities to get get back on the right path. So there's no schooling, there's no nothing.

00:27:47:16 - 00:28:08:08
DJ
All there is, is negativity in there, you know, And I and I've I really believe that if we can start in there, then it's gonna expand the work force. Guys are going to come out, the recidivism rate, go down, lower because it's starting in there rather it we have to get out, try to find the help now you know they actually have help like the new freedoms and stuff.

00:28:08:08 - 00:28:28:16
DJ
But back then we had to try to find the help. And when you're trying to change and it's difficult, just even find help to change, why would you want to change, right? Yeah, like easier is difficult. Just even get help to change. But now it's like there's open arms for help. And like me going to New freedom showed it.

00:28:28:16 - 00:28:34:10
DJ
There's, there's, there's, there's able to make this work to where we went And so I just want to be a part of it.

00:28:34:10 - 00:29:00:11
John
You know for me, my whole life, I've never seen anything like this program. There's never been anything comparable to this to help guys like you. And it all started with us starting just a painting class. Yeah. You know, And then now there's electric, now there's welding, now there's tile, there's framing, there's drywall, there's culinary. They offer CDL. I mean, and this is all for guys coming out of prison that never had that opportunity before to make a change in their lives.

00:29:00:13 - 00:29:10:13
John
I think what it takes to is first it takes you wanting a change. That's my first and utmost thing that I think has to happen. Yeah, but you need someone to believe in you.

00:29:10:17 - 00:29:11:09
DJ
Absolutely.

00:29:11:09 - 00:29:28:09
John
You need someone that's going to be sincere. And I think the biggest thing for guys who've been locked up for a period of time, you know, when someone's lying to you, you know, when someone's using drugs, no one's going to for you. Yeah, you can't B.S. you, you know, because you can see right through it. Right. And that's a difference.

00:29:28:11 - 00:29:45:20
John
And I think that's why this program is so phenomenal, because everybody invested in it is in it to help. Right. You know, it's I look at the investment I put in and what it took to get this going and where we're at now. It's amazing the amount of people we've helped. But at the same time, it doesn't work unless you want it to work.

00:29:45:20 - 00:29:46:09
DJ
Absolutely.

00:29:46:09 - 00:29:59:15
John
There's a lot of guys I've seen come out and say, I want this. I'm going to do this. I'm going to be a rock star. And man, they fall flat on their face when they get out of the program and they fail. And I think the other thing is they've got to learn to be able to pick themselves up again.

00:29:59:16 - 00:30:08:16
John
Right. You know, where would you be if you didn't have the program and gone through the vacation with us? Have you ever thought about that? Because you're doing so well right now?

00:30:08:22 - 00:30:30:03
DJ
I have. And I'd like to think to tell myself that I'd be right here in the same position because I just know me. But to be to be honest, I don't I don't think I would be to this position because I had that opportunity, you know, But I think I definitely would be fighting to do the right things and make the right decisions.

00:30:30:09 - 00:30:40:13
DJ
I just it would have been a lot more challenging, I think. But having people in my corner and people who got my back in those opportunities helped out tremendously.

00:30:40:17 - 00:30:46:01
John
So there is a chance if you didn't go through this program, you didn't take the vacation that you could ended up at right back where you were.

00:30:46:02 - 00:30:46:17
DJ
Absolutely.

00:30:46:17 - 00:30:48:10
John
You know, making those same mistakes again.

00:30:48:10 - 00:31:13:23
DJ
Yeah, because I'm headspace really, I just you know, I had I had a lot more of my headspace in a negative direction. Like, of course, I had some goals I wanted to get out and do. But also there was other negative things like I, I see no hope for myself, like when I got out because like, I had nowhere to go or nothing, I guess how I found new freedom, you know, I was like getting ready to get out.

00:31:13:23 - 00:31:23:23
DJ
And it was just like I was I figure it out, you know? But like, finding new freedom I just gave me like that, you know, that that extra.

00:31:24:01 - 00:31:25:16
John
Push that you needed.

00:31:25:18 - 00:31:39:06
DJ
You know, to go. And I and I think it's like that with a lot of guys now because you guys are getting those newsletters now or they're seeing people like me, you know, you know, anyone that knows me, you know, I've had my share of things, you know, like and.

00:31:39:07 - 00:31:57:19
John
Yeah, I think in the state of Arizona here, they actually sent out 7000 newsletters to the prison yards with the program that we've done. And I remember the very first one that had our vocational program in there, and I think it was the second or third class that we started there. We actually had a guy come in. He said, he's there because that newsletter, yeah, that's what brought him there.

00:31:57:21 - 00:32:17:07
John
And he actually went through the our class. He ended up working for another painting contractor, but due to some different life changes. He now works for us, which is interesting. It's amazing how many guys it goes full circle. There's been certain people that come out and they work for us and it's not a good fit. Yeah, you know, we do mostly commercial industrial painting.

00:32:17:09 - 00:32:33:15
John
Some people aren't equipped for that mentally or physically, and they need do something more and sides of residential or only interiors, you know. So finding the right space for them is what we try to do. So it's being able to know that, okay, I tried this, it's not working. What do I do now? It's not the end of the road.

00:32:33:20 - 00:32:51:16
John
They have a whole support system now that they can rely on that, Hey, this didn't work out. They can always go back to the vocational program and talk to the people that are in charge and help and get jobs and say, Hey, this isn't working out. Can you help me find someone else? And they're there to help. Yeah, that's what we do.

00:32:51:16 - 00:33:13:20
DJ
Now, for sure. I had someone I was locked up with. He has seen the newsletter and he'd seen me on it, you know, and he's like, Holy cow, I know it. And so he read it and that's when he got more familiar with it, eventually end up getting in contact with me through somebody else. And then so we rewrote the whole time that he was he was locked up, you know, and I gave him encouragement and I just kept him on the right path.

00:33:13:20 - 00:33:31:06
DJ
And now he works for us and he's loving it. It's like, yeah, he's loving it. He calls me all the time and he's like, man, like, I just learned this and he always like, thank you for the opportunity. And it's crazy to like, he's like the amount of money that he's making right now. You know what we started him off on?

00:33:31:06 - 00:33:51:09
DJ
It's just like $1,000,000 to him, you know? And it's like I remember I felt like that, you know, when I first got out, like just that number, just like, because I've never made anything close like that legally, you know? And so but now he's excited. But it was the same thing, you know, who knows if he would had even thought about changing his life around, had he not seen me on there because he knew where I came from.

00:33:51:11 - 00:33:55:05
DJ
So to see me was like you could visually see it. Now, you know.

00:33:55:07 - 00:34:11:19
John
For our viewers and listeners out there, you know, what we do with this program is if you go through a vocational program, we hire you. You start at 18 bucks an hour, and that's pretty good wage to start off with. And for some people that have never had a job in their whole lives are, you know, I mean, when you're locked up, I mean, what do you make?

00:34:12:01 - 00:34:17:12
John
You work, you have a job. And there I mean you're yeah, given opportunities but what do they pay you when you're locked up?

00:34:17:14 - 00:34:21:10
DJ
I think the most I've ever made was $0.35 an hour.

00:34:21:12 - 00:34:23:11
John
my God. Seriously? 35.

00:34:23:11 - 00:34:24:02
DJ
$0.35.

00:34:24:02 - 00:34:25:23
John
And then what were you doing for that? 34.

00:34:25:23 - 00:34:44:18
DJ
I was managing the warehouse in the kitchen. Okay, but like, before then, like, I think you average around 20, $0.25. You know, if you have, like, the regular jobs, about $0.15, like you're getting $5 every two weeks and it's just literally enough just to buy like a couple bars of soap.

00:34:44:20 - 00:34:45:21
John
my God.

00:34:45:23 - 00:35:04:11
DJ
So, but it, but it get what I can say is my work ethic is is part of that okay. Like is it ain't all. You just got a job. No, you got to work. Especially like to do the position that I got warehouse. It was the highest, best paid position, you know, And so it was like they make you work, you know.

00:35:04:11 - 00:35:15:04
DJ
And so it's like it when you work for $0.35 an hour in two weeks come up your paycheck is $23 like you are for $18 an hour. Are you? You know.

00:35:15:04 - 00:35:19:15
John
So you're in heaven working for us. We first started because I know you're taking all the overtime to.

00:35:19:17 - 00:35:22:01
DJ
every little bit of it, you know, for sure.

00:35:22:02 - 00:35:41:20
John
You know, it's it's interesting because, I mean, you worked a lot of overtime for us, so you never said no to overtime. I don't think. What would you say to guys out there when they do get out and they do start that job? Because we I know we use the term up in your head right? You get that downtime, right?

00:35:41:22 - 00:35:59:22
John
You're not working, you're sitting at home or you're sitting at your halfway house wherever you're living and you have that downtime and you started thinking what would you say to those guys? Because you probably struggled a little bit with it two at one time or another, and you've seen other guys struggle with it, right? How do you deal with that downtime and what would you recommend to others?

00:36:00:00 - 00:36:10:07
John
So because my biggest fear is if you have that idle time, if you have nothing to do, that's when you're going to get in trouble the most. Yeah. So what would you say to help?

00:36:10:09 - 00:36:28:16
DJ
I really say just try to get to know yourself, try to find what you like, what interests you, you know? it's pretty cool because like today we live in the age of information, so it's like you can learn anything or do anything with a click of your phone, you know? And so it's like that that that's what helped me.

00:36:28:18 - 00:36:53:22
DJ
I watched a lot of YouTube video and things on how to start businesses and how things work. Just try to stimulate my mind. And then, you know, ultimately I picked up golf, snowboard. So I found some, you know, some hobbies. But working out, you know, it didn't even have to be a spending money learn something, you know, like you would be shocked like maybe you always thought it was cool when you got seeing guys painter draw learn it.

00:36:53:22 - 00:37:15:07
DJ
You know like right now I'm learning since my name comes is Hungarian. You know, I was adopted so my last name is since handwriting is Hungarian so I'm learning Hungary Hungarian right now and I'm also learning Spanish because I'm in construction. So I'm using Duolingo right now. And so I, you know, I practice for 30 minutes every day on both of them.

00:37:15:07 - 00:37:22:04
DJ
You know, that's pretty cool. So I'm hoping within six months I could be fluent enough, you know, So it's just challenging myself. And something new about you today.

00:37:22:04 - 00:37:43:19
John
And I see you every day in the office, that that's amazing. That's pretty cool. No, it's you definitely have to keep yourself busy. You do. You know, the downtime is what I think kills people and that's where they get in trouble, you know? And I know it's a struggle for guys coming out of our program because one of the things we prefer them to do is live in one of the halfway houses with the other guys that have come through the program.

00:37:43:21 - 00:38:00:13
John
I do believe it makes them more successful. Right. And one of my theories is after your you get out of prison, you're in the program for 90 days. You're going through the vocational and you learn how to paint, Right? You don't have anything to worry about. And then you move into the house. And one thing we provide is transportation.

00:38:00:15 - 00:38:17:07
John
You know, you got a house, you got to pay your rent each week, you know, but you have transportation to work. We take care of that for you. The biggest thing that I recommend to these guys and gals is six months. Yes. Stay in a halfway house for six months. Focus on you and your job and nothing else.

00:38:17:07 - 00:38:34:20
John
Don't go trying to find a girlfriend. Don't go out and do anything stupid. And sometimes you got to leave your family behind. You got to leave your old neighborhood behind your friends. Right. Has that been a struggle for you because you're not the same person you were? Have you had to turn your back on? People used to hang out with.

00:38:34:22 - 00:38:57:23
DJ
A few people, mainly just like it was just mainly strictly for just the crowd preferences like your lifestyle and the way that you're living doesn't coincide with my lifestyle, you know? And so how to cut a few people off and I don't know, Hey, you're not good for me type, but awesome. Hey, man, I'm so wrapped up in work right now, you know?

00:38:57:23 - 00:39:21:04
DJ
So but what I will say for guys getting out unless, like, maybe like you're going to go live with, like, your mom and she's going to make sure 100% that her job is to make sure you stay out of the mix in that solely focus on getting you transitioned to life. I would I would say go to a sober living house.

00:39:21:04 - 00:39:40:09
DJ
Even if you have a place to stay, you got a girlfriend because like, it really lets you hone in, you know, is like because in a sense you still have rules. And so it's like you now you're transitioning from new freedom or that to now sober living rather as me. Like I got up and I didn't go to a sober living house.

00:39:40:09 - 00:39:57:09
DJ
So I just no rules, no nothing. You know, I can be home whenever I want. I can stay out late. And so I think that like, helped with me, like spending of the money, not spending, not, you know, being in control of my finances, you know, But with that, like you said, like, we got it set up. You go, you got a house, you got transportation.

00:39:57:09 - 00:40:12:01
DJ
So that's extra money. You can say imagine in six months how much money you'd save, how the car you can get or in six months you can save enough money to have a car put down to a third apartment and have money in your savings, you know? Yeah.

00:40:12:03 - 00:40:37:06
John
I think you were at a disadvantage going through our first class because we were still learning as we're teaching and growing the program. You know, as time went on, we ended up with the halfway houses. We ended up creating the transportation, different things. And I think as we learned, we learn from a lot of the guys, their mistakes, what they were doing, why were not successful going through our program, what did we need to change to make them more successful?

00:40:37:08 - 00:40:55:06
John
I know at one point you came to me and you actually did move into a halfway house for a while because you said you needed some more structure to help yourself. Yeah. So that in itself shows maturity and growth in you. You know, that's a change. That's not the D.J. that came out of prison, right? That's not the D.J. that was running the streets.

00:40:55:10 - 00:40:57:09
John
Right. You know, that that that was maturity.

00:40:57:09 - 00:41:16:10
DJ
It's about being real with yourself, you know, like that old person actually seeing me. I wasn't being real with myself, you know, I was faking a funk to, you know, to appease people to fit in, if you will, you know? But like, I'm finally able to, like, be myself because there's not a big crowd I'm trying to please, you know, like the crowd that I'm trying to please.

00:41:16:10 - 00:41:31:23
DJ
As long as I do the right thing, I stay out of trouble. You know, I take care of my responsibilities. They're going to be there and they're going to support me and they're going to be rooting me on, you know? And so, like, it's is cool because, like, I can really, like, be myself. Like I could laugh at, like, a joke and I could be that funny guy.

00:41:31:23 - 00:41:37:01
DJ
I don't have to put on this bravado about, you know, being tough or if you will. And so, yeah.

00:41:37:01 - 00:41:39:07
John
And I bet your family's really proud of you right now, are they?

00:41:39:08 - 00:42:14:09
DJ
Absolutely. No, no, they're ecstatic, you know, And it means a lot. It really does, you know, because I was a foster child, you know, So I've been with different families before and so is like me, I've always yearned to, like, have someone I call mom or dad or like uncle or like family, you know? And so, like, I, I easily attract to people, like when I get around people when they show me some like love, like it's easy for me to like, you know, And so but now it's really it's a really good thing to know that, like, they're proud of me, you know, like it really good and even feels good to know

00:42:14:09 - 00:42:24:09
DJ
that, like, eventually, like, I'll be able to take care of them. And, you know, as they get older, you know like, I'll financially be able to take care of them. Like, you know, it's like, feels good.

00:42:24:10 - 00:42:45:00
John
I want, you know, from the bottom of my heart, you are part of my family now. And I mean that sincerely and it's there's a connection with you for the rest of my life now. We'll always be connected just because of this passing of what we've done together, what we've been together through with the program. Even if you decide to go on and do your own thing, start your own company, or go work somewhere else, there's always going to be that connection.

00:42:45:00 - 00:43:01:22
John
I'm always going to be there for you. And I want you to know that I sincerely mean that. Thank you. I appreciate it. I'm proud of you, of what you've accomplished. Thank you. Because I've watched, even not knowing you prior to the program, You know, I don't know your past. I don't need to know your past. It's what you do today.

00:43:01:22 - 00:43:18:13
John
Moving forward. That's all that matters to me. And each day watching you grow, watching you go through the struggles you've been through, you know I've helped you through some of those. Yeah. You know, I don't know how many times we sat in my office and just talked for sure, you know? Absolutely. I've tried to mentor you and help you go down that right path.

00:43:18:15 - 00:43:38:08
John
Yeah. At the end of the day, though, we can prepare ourselves as much as we can for a situation. But you have to be the one to make that final decision on what you're going to do with yourself and with your life. And hopefully you make the right decision. Right. You know, I look at what I'm going through every day in life and I'm trying to make the best decision with the information I have at that moment.

00:43:38:10 - 00:43:50:20
John
Right now, a year from now, that decision might change because the information has changed or the situation has changed a little bit differently. But I'm still going to try to make the best decision I can at that moment from what's in front of me.

00:43:52:06 - 00:44:09:12
John
I love the fact that you've you've come this far. You've grown so much. You're in the position you're in, you know, it's What are your goals down the road? Is it to own your own? I know when I first met you, your goal was five years. I'm going to have my own business. You know what's changed or what do you see for your future now?

00:44:09:14 - 00:44:16:21
DJ
I think sample is just not that easy, you know, It's so much that goes into running a business.

00:44:16:21 - 00:44:18:12
John
You see, now there's more.

00:44:18:14 - 00:44:39:20
DJ
There's a lot, you know, and but ultimately too is like it's a goes apart a thing being real with yourself, you know, like turning that switch on like me being real myself. I know. Like if I was to leave and to go start my own business, it would fail because I fully don't have 100% of the tools that I need or I don't I don't have enough of the experience yet.

00:44:39:20 - 00:44:48:01
DJ
Like, you know, like even with learning these jobs, like when I be in an office, I ask them, give me the big ones, give me some different like, give me the stuff that you force.

00:44:48:01 - 00:44:48:11
John
Yourself to.

00:44:48:11 - 00:45:04:15
DJ
Learn. Yeah, the read the specs for three days before you even get into the blueprints. Like I want those because when you do it, those you everything you know, you know and so like I five years sounded good you know. But I should have said 7 to 10.

00:45:04:17 - 00:45:25:05
John
And who knows, maybe 24. You don't know for sure. Go with what's fresh out of you and what you what you can do. Yeah. So now, one last thing here before we cut off. Is there any last message you want to give to anybody out there that they're sitting on Iraq right now? Listen to this. Or they're on the streets or they're driving in their car, going to work and they're struggling.

00:45:25:07 - 00:45:37:20
John
What is a message that you would give them to give them hope and to know that health you can make it. Anybody can make it. I mean, what would you tell somebody out there that's going through the OR been through the same stuff that you've been through?

00:45:37:21 - 00:45:57:07
DJ
I would say I got two things, at least for me going through it in these two and a half years to be successful is decision making. And time management, I think is I think it's that simple. I think ultimately your decisions is going to predict where you're going to be. You know, for as simple fact that you're good.

00:45:57:09 - 00:46:19:21
DJ
You've already told your boys that you're going to go with them to the club on Friday or excuse me on Saturday, but then it takes comes out at work and they say, hey, we need guys for overtime, You know, you know, you got your bill due next week and you and you're already paycheck to paycheck. So do I go out with my buddies on Saturday, spend money, or do I go to work?

00:46:20:01 - 00:46:45:21
DJ
And then that way is like, I know my bills are covered and I have extra money, you know, And so that's what it decision making and ultimately what time management it's all about. Like you can overload your plate too much. And I've done it a couple of times and it can also it be a disaster, you know, So like with time management, knowing, putting things on your plate in a lot of time to get them done, and then what you do with your time, you know, is like people say that, man, I'm so busy.

00:46:45:21 - 00:46:52:22
DJ
I never have enough time in the day to do such and such. But you spent an hour and a half on YouTube looking at shorts or you want to.

00:46:52:22 - 00:46:54:01
John
Talk whatever like.

00:46:54:02 - 00:46:59:09
DJ
Story, right? You know, So there is time. It's time management decision making. Yeah.

00:46:59:11 - 00:47:23:15
John
That's good advice. Now I want to thank everybody. That's out there listening to us, watching us on YouTube or our shorts. This message is for anybody out there that's struggling, that needs help. There are places that will help you there, a change that can happen. And each week we're going to have someone else like John on here telling his story, talking about where he's been, what he's been through, what's made him successful.

00:47:23:19 - 00:47:42:08
John
Right. You know, everybody's story's not the same. But if there's something out there that can resonate with you that you say, man, that's me. You know, I can make a difference. Feel free to reach out to us through our website. Reach out to us. If you need help, we can direct you the right direction and get you that help that you need.

00:47:42:10 - 00:47:45:08
John
So thank you, everyone, for listening. And thank you again.

00:47:45:08 - 00:47:48:05
John
You bet.