Prison Made My Business Successful
Prison Made My Business Successful
How can letting go of harmful habits lead to personal and professional growth?
Letting go is crucial. It's not about what you're doing, but what you choose not to do anymore. A significant example for me was deciding to become sober 18 months ago, which transformed my life. I didn't know what life would be like without alcohol; it had been the catalyst that made me more outgoing, especially in social and business settings. I feared the unknown aspects of sobriety, worried about losing a familiar part of my identity. Yet, overcoming this fear was one of the best decisions I've made. It took me 15 to 20 years to confront this issue after many nights convincing myself I'd only have one drink, only to fail repeatedly. Becoming sober finally broke this cycle.
How can goal-setting and visualization shape the future of business and personal success?
At the age of twenty-nine, I found myself serving a two-year prison sentence. Despite making six figures and having the ability to connect with people and market products legitimately, I was still hustling on the streets, whether it was clothing or drugs, to make extra money. Eventually, I got caught and ended up doing two years in prison. That experience was life-changing—a real eye-opener. My judgment was clouded by substance abuse, alcohol, and partying. Growing up in the Bronx was both a blessing and a curse, which influenced my value system.
For whatever reason, God or the universe decided to put me on pause and give me a wake-up call. I viewed my time in prison as a two-year time-out, and honestly, it was the best thing that ever happened to me. It forced me to reflect on how I ended up there. Most people kill time, but I took the opportunity to dive deep into myself. I had a good upbringing with a lot of love and education, so I looked at prison as a type of school. For the first time in my life, I was sober for two years. I also learned who my true friends were—those who wrote me, visited, or sent me money—and who weren’t, as many disappeared.
In prison, I redefined myself and changed my identity. I filled notebooks with plans for the next 10 years of my life, and I hit almost all those targets—financially, spiritually, emotionally, and in my relationships. The house, the family, the life I have now were all created in a prison cell.
I read over 200 books during that time. Tony Robbins’ Unleash the Power Within was one of the most life-changing books for me. When I met Tony, I told him how I had written the goal of attending one of his events in that prison cell 13 years earlier, and there I was, talking to him face-to-face. It was overwhelming, to say the least.
Life is a far better teacher than any school book. People, conversations, and life lessons are the most valuable things we can learn from.
What is one key strategy for business growth?
My main business revolves around durable medical equipment and supplies, including post-orthopedic surgical bracing and home rehabilitation equipment like cryo heat therapy and continuous passive motion. I work closely with physicians who prescribe these items. The key to my success in this field has been building strong relationships. I wasn't always in this industry. I previously worked in corporate environments, even selling Yellow Page advertising before moving into medical marketing. Initially, my role was to establish connections at medical offices to secure referrals for radiology scans. Over a decade, I progressed from that initial role to having strategic discussions with office managers and practice owners, which eventually led me to specialize in orthopedic bracing in the New York and New Jersey areas. State regulations restrict our operations to specific regions, but I am well-acquainted with this market.
My approach has always been about adding value. For example, I assist doctors with marketing their practices as an additional benefit of working with me. This strategy has helped me grow my business into a successful seven to nearly eight-figure operation. My journey has also led me into commercial real estate investing, which has significantly impacted my financial goals. At 45, I ventured into real estate through connections made at a Tony Robbins event, where I met my current business partner. Together, we now own multiple commercial properties in the Midwest. Relationships have been the cornerstone of my success, allowing me to build generational wealth and share knowledge with others interested in similar paths.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.*
