‘I began my enterprise whereas in jail – everybody deserves a second likelihood’

A lady shared how she began her enterprise whereas serving a four-year sentence in jail.

Emily O’Brien, from Canada, discovered herself convicted of drug smuggling and serving a four-year sentence in a Hamilton jail on the age of 26. During this time, she got here up with the thought for a brand new enterprise, pushed by her mission to show that everybody deserves a second likelihood.

She now opened up about altering her life round whereas behind bars. Talking about her childhood, Emily stated: “Growing up in Westdale, I used to be the second of three daughters.

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“My household lived a frugal life-style. My dad labored for the Catholic church, and my mum was a homemaker. Despite restricted sources, I excelled academically, and my mother and father emphasised the significance of a post-secondary training. I graduated with a bachelor’s diploma in worldwide growth.

In 2013, on the age of 23, Emily launched a social media firm whereas renting a condominium in Liberty Village. She shortly gained purchasers and constructed a profitable enterprise. However, her private life was troubled by household points and her growing reliance on alcohol as a coping mechanism. Occasionally, she turned to cocaine at events to stability out her consuming.

Amid these struggles, Emily linked with a consumer, who initially appeared secure and supportive. However, his intentions took a darkish flip when he advised smuggling medicine throughout the border throughout a visit to St. Lucia. Feeling coerced, Emily agreed, not totally comprehending the gravity of the state of affairs.

“During the first two days of the trip, we had a blast jet-skiing at an all-inclusive resort,” she stated.” However, on the third morning, he drove me down a quiet road to a rundown bed and breakfast. It soon became clear he had used my passport photo to notify drug dealers that we were couriers.

“A lady on the B&B handed us 4 kgs (simply over eight kilos) of cocaine. At the airport, I hid a kilogram at the back of my bike shorts and one other loosely mounted to my entrance. It seemed as if I used to be hoarding a field of tissues. All the whereas, he reassured me every part could be okay, and legislation officers would not suspect a factor.”

Upon landing in Canada, as Emily navigated customs and collected her bags, she was approached by an immigration officer.

What followed was unexpected – a physical search was ordered, accompanied by a question that would change everything: Did Emily have drugs in her possession? For 10 agonising seconds, Emily’s heart raced.

Finally, she admitted she was carrying cocaine.

“I spent the weekend in jail,” she stated. “My parents, who were in the middle of a divorce at the time, posted $50,000 (£36,500) bail. Aware of my growing substance abuse issues, they moved me into their home, where I remained under house arrest before my court date. I severed ties with the guy. After two and a half years of house arrest, my hearing finally arrived in January 2018. Acting on legal counsel, I pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years, with the possibility of parole.”

Emily was incarcerated in a medium-security jail in Hamilton, the place she discovered it straightforward to type connections with the opposite inmates. Despite their ages starting from early 20s to late 70s, all of them shared the widespread expertise of being unfairly judged regardless of individuals figuring out little or no about them. Among them had been cooks, artists, and moms, every bracing themselves for all times’s challenges after jail.

“We were restricted to spending our $36 (£26) weekly allowance on items listed in Canada’s Food Guide, pooling resources to create communal dishes and indulging in occasional treats,” defined Emily. “Popcorn emerged as a crowd favourite.”

One day, Emily experimented with seasonings, utilizing the one accessible choices: lemon pepper and dill. The end result was “delicious”, sparking an thought – she would begin a popcorn enterprise.

In December 2018, Emily was launched on parole and transferred to a midway home, granting her the liberty to safe employment and transfer round Hamilton, so long as she complied together with her parole officer’s reporting necessities. She discovered work at a fitness center, utilizing her earnings to rebuild her life and get monetary savings for her enterprise.

In 2020, she launched Comeback Snacks, a popcorn firm geared toward difficult the jail stigma by using previously incarcerated people and advocating for his or her honest therapy in society after serving their sentences. Her purpose was to humanise the jail expertise and show that everybody deserves a second likelihood.

Emily started by sourcing kernels and spices from Bulk Barn and renting a industrial kitchen to experiment with varied flavours, together with salted chocolate caramel and peanut butter jelly. She employed a person who had spent six months at Kingston Penitentiary. Their merchandise discovered their means into native comfort shops, gaining widespread assist for the idea of second possibilities for previously incarcerated people.

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They promoted their message by means of their web site and social media, with the cheeky slogan on their packaging – “Popcorn so good, it’s criminal” – serving to to inform their story. Soon, different companies, resembling wineries and bars, expressed curiosity of their merchandise, resulting in collaborations with co-packers and distributors to develop their operations.

They now make use of 5 people, all of whom have served time in jail, and distribute Comeback Snacks to 800 areas throughout Canada and the US.

“Comeback Snacks is not just about the popcorn,” insisted Emily. “While a percentage of sales have gone to Elizabeth Fry Society, which offers services for women as they go through the court process, incarceration and reintegration, the business also shines a light on an issue that most Canadians do not want to confront — what happens to people when they go to prison, and how can communities support them when they are released.

“I served time in jail, and I’m on a mission to vary views about rehabilitation and the significance of second possibilities.”