When I walked out of prison in 2018, I carried with me more than just a record—I carried the weight of regret, uncertainty, and fear. But I also carried something else: a fire that had been slowly building during my incarceration. A desire to prove that the worst chapter of my life didn’t have to be the final one. A belief that even from the lowest place, you can rebuild. Not just a life—but a business, a mission, and a movement.
It’s been 10 years of making a comeback. On July 4th, 2015. I was arrested. I wrote this article for anyone who has spent time inside a federal penitentiary or any other form of prison. Or for anyone that has needed to make a comeback in their lives.
My time inside wasn’t easy. Like many of you reading this, I had to come to terms with who I was, how I got there, and what I was going to do next. For a while, I didn’t have the answers. But the moment I decided to stop letting shame control me, things began to shift. I started to see prison as not just confinement, but as a place of preparation. I read every book I could find on business, psychology, personal development. I talked to people. I listened. I imagined. And I started writing things down—scraps of ideas, slogans, product names, business plans. It seemed impossible at the time, but that’s where Comeback Snacks was born: in a place where most people would never think to look.
The idea was simple, but meaningful. I had always loved popcorn, and it had comforted me during hard times. I began to think: what if popcorn could become more than just a snack? What if it could tell a story? What if it could stand for second chances?
When I was released, I didn’t have investors, a storefront, or a team. I had my idea, and I had my story—and I leaned into both. I started making small batches in a rented kitchen. I sold popcorn at local markets and events. I showed up wherever people would have me. And slowly, people started listening. They didn’t just buy the popcorn; they bought into the message. That no one should be defined forever by their worst mistake. That people deserve the chance to rebuild. That redemption isn’t just possible—it’s powerful.
It wasn’t glamorous. There were setbacks, failed batches, nights I didn’t sleep, moments where I wanted to give up. But every time I hit a wall, I remembered how many I’d already climbed over. Prison taught me how to survive with nothing but grit, creativity, and drive—and those three qualities have been my greatest business assets.
I believe deeply that people who’ve been incarcerated have an edge that many business owners don’t. We know how to adapt. We know how to find solutions when our resources are limited. We know how to bounce back from failure, because we’ve done it before—over and over. And maybe most importantly, we’ve had to sit with ourselves in silence. That kind of reflection creates strong leadership. We understand people. We understand pain. And if we choose to, we can turn that pain into purpose.
That’s what I’ve seen not just in my own journey, but in the journeys of others, too. There are so many of us out here proving that second chances work.
People like Coss Marte, who turned his time in prison into fuel for something incredible. After his release, he founded a fitness business called CONBODY, based on the workout routine he developed in his cell. Today, he employs formerly incarcerated trainers, and his programs have helped thousands transform their lives. His discipline, focus, and story all became part of his brand—and that’s what sets it apart.
Then there’s Cheri Garcia, who started Cornbread Hustle, a staffing agency and business incubator for people with criminal records and those in recovery. She knew the barriers we face firsthand, and she created a company that turns those barriers into bridges. Her journey shows how entrepreneurship can be more than self-employment—it can be a platform for real change.
And I think of Queen Coffee Bean, who after serving time, opened her own café—a place that’s as much about community healing as it is about caffeine. She didn’t just build a business; she built a gathering space where people could reconnect with themselves and each other.
These stories—and so many more—prove what I’ve come to believe with all my heart: formerly incarcerated people make incredible business leaders. We are underestimated, but that’s our advantage. When no one expects you to succeed, your success becomes even more powerful.
That’s part of the reason Lucy Cullen and I launched the Comeback Catalyst Program, a post-release business support initiative for individuals who want to pursue entrepreneurship after incarceration. We provide mentorship, hands-on workshops, guidance on financial literacy, marketing, and branding—and even help participants access seed funding and business networks. But most importantly, we offer something that’s often missing after release: belief.
We believe in your potential. We believe your ideas are worth investing in. And we believe that your past does not disqualify you—it actually equips you.
You can learn more and apply at www.comebackcatalyst.ca. If you’ve got an idea—or even just the spark of one—this program can help you grow it into something real. We know the road isn’t easy, but we also know it’s possible.
Looking back now, I can honestly say that prison gave me the time and space to become who I was always meant to be. I wish I didn’t have to go through it to learn what I did, but I also know I wouldn’t be who I am without it. There’s a certain clarity that comes from losing everything. And there’s a fierce kind of joy that comes from building it back, brick by brick.
So to those of you reading this inside: hold on to that spark inside you, even if it feels dim. That idea you keep circling back to? Write it down. That passion you’ve been ignoring? Explore it. That business you think you could one day start? Start building it in your head—and then on paper. It doesn’t matter where you are right now. What matters is where you’re going next.
I won’t lie to you: reintegration is hard. Building a business is harder. But if you’ve made it this far, you already know how to do hard things.
Your comeback can start now. You just have to choose it.
With determination and belief,
Emily O’Brien
Founder, Comeback Snacks