We are the first felon-only employment company in the world. When I first launched, I would drive our family minivan to the jail each day, bring inmates to their job sites, and drive them back at the end of the day. Then I recruited my teenage son to drive them. Those rides are where the connection and conversation happen.

My own recovery story was filled with guilt, shame, and remorse, on repeat. On the outside, I had it all: I was working at a big investment bank as a recruiter. I was living in New York City. But I was empty inside. The rubber hit the road and I moved back to Maine. As part of my 12-step recovery, I began volunteering at a jail. That's when I got the idea. I took all the inmates at the pre-release dorm, and got them gigs working at a construction company.

80% of inmates are arrested for behaviors derivative of drugs and alcohol. The process of reintegration and recovery are inseparable. Many inmates can't afford a personal attorney or bail, so poverty plays a big role in the jail system. Without a job, these felons will continue going through the revolving door of incarceration. Felons need housing and the tools to get back on their feet and find structure after their release, so they don't re-offend and don't relapse. And let me tell you: These guys are the hardest and most dedicated workers I've ever known.