Determination, Incorporated came out of 2020 in a stronger position than we have ever been before. The second chance entrepreneurs we’ve been working with in our Rise Up, Get Started program this year have grown their businesses and created jobs in the community, we’ve received financial support from local businesses like C2FO and grown the group of community investors who believe in our mission, and we have rebuilt our board of directors with an eye toward diversity and by recruiting folks with lived experience in the criminal justice system and as second chance entrepreneurs.
Kia Cannon 
Roxana Shaffe
Kia Cannon and Roxana Shaffe bring deep experience in nonprofits and reentry that will be hugely beneficial to our organization. And Ron Brown and Sarah Muntean are both such inspiring second chance entrepreneurs. Both Ron and Sarah have opened new chapters in their lives after prison through entrepreneurship and are examples of our vision come to life: that formerly incarcerated people, by starting viable, hiring businesses, help to solve the problem of recidivism and ultimately end mass incarceration.
We’re in a wonderful spot going into 2022 to help even more formerly incarcerated people find financial freedom and economic opportunity through entrepreneurship. Keep an eye on this community & keep reading to get to know Ron & Sarah and to hear their stories of starting a business after incarceration:
Meet Ron Brown, second chance entrepreneur and new board member of Determination, Incorporated:
Tell us a little about your business and your accomplishments as an entrepreneur?
I started Pro Risk Service Group, Inc and Pro Risk Security LLC in June 2021. Pro Risk Service Group, Inc is a full service risk management consulting firm, assisting child care facilities with their risk and compliance issues and other business related services. Pro Risk Security LLC, is a full service security & automation company that’s strategically partnered with ADT Security. One of my accomplishments as an entrepreneur is consulting two of the largest child care providers here locally on their risk management and compliance issues, then bringing them on as clients. The second accomplishment was to successfully form a strategic partnership with the largest home automation company in the nation.
How long have you been home from prison?
I’ve been home 3 years now.
What difficulties did you experience starting a business after incarceration?
One of the difficulties I experienced was raising startup capital, and secondly receiving a lot of no’s coming home and people second guessing me.
Did you learn anything in prison or from other formerly incarcerated people that you feel makes you a better business owner?
I learned from other formerly incarcerated people a full spectrum of risk & financial management, that made me a better business owner. Also how to assess risk to make strategic decisions and how to interpret financial statements. These are two areas that will serve me well this time around as a second time entrepreneur.
Why did you join the board of Determination, Incorporated ?
I joined the board of Determination Inc. because I want to be a part of the solution in the second half of my life, and I truly believe in the vision and direction of the organization. I wanted to invest and be involved in the organization’s success and to be an active member.
What do you hope to accomplish as a board member?
What I hope to accomplish as a board member is to first be an example and secondly to be a great spokesman for the organization.
Meet Sarah Muntean, second chance entrepreneur and new board member of Determination, Incorporated:
Tell us a little about your business and your accomplishments as an entrepreneur?
All American Construction Contractors is a startup I founded in 2013. It was originally solely operated as a commercial construction cleaning service but quickly evolved to general labor, concrete polishing and floor finishing services. The business is listed on Kansas City’s WBE and SLBE list.
I have also invented and developed a smart lock for cabinets that I recently launched. That business was been funded by my salary from All American.
How long have you been home from prison? What difficulties did you experience starting a business after incarceration?
I have been released for 11 years now. The difficulties I experienced included not feeling qualified, lack of confidence in communication skills, a bit of imposter syndrome, lack of connections and a network, minimal startup cash or knowledge of where to get it, lack of education and knowledge of business, and not knowing the right people in general. Really just a general lack of support and lots of feelings of not being good enough to succeed.
Did you learn anything in prison or from other formerly incarcerated people that you feel makes you a better business owner?
I did not learn anything about my trade in prison. I did learn that I had an above average IQ after given state administered tests, and that I had a great memory as well. I had no never known either of those things before. In prison, I was granted the gift of desperation, which led to the gift of motivation and then determination leading to the trait of grit, which every entrepreneur must possess. I wouldn’t have had grit if it wasn’t for my incarceration.
When I decided to start my business, after seeing an ad in the paper requesting my now trade, I contacted a couple formerly incarcerated business owners in construction that walked me through the steps.
Why did you join the board of Determination, Incorporated?
I believe it was fate that I joined the board of Determination, Incorporated. My intention in reaching out to DNI was to help a formerly incarcerated person get help with their business idea. It turned into me sharing my story and gaining an interest in the group. I want to see other struggling people transform into success stories. We, those who have been at the bottom, not only appreciate a good life but will stop at nothing to get there. I believe in formerly incarcerated people and want to help.
What do you hope to accomplish as a board member?
I hope to raise awareness of the group to the public. I hope to raise capital to support the entrepreneurs. And give encouragement and support to the entrepreneurs.
Determination, Incorporated Board of Directors
- Ron Brown: Second chance entrepreneur, founder of Pro Risk Service Group, Inc and Pro Risk Security, LLC (New in 2021)
- Sarah Muntean: Second chance entrepreneur, founder of All American Construction Contractors (New in 2021)
- Brittany Peterson: Sr. Resource Specialist at Second Chance Risk Reduction Center
- Kia Cannon: Supplier Support Specialist at C2FO and Licensed Social Worker (New in 2021)
- Jordan Bergsten: Lawyer at Shook, Hardy & Bacon
- Roxana Shaffe: Project Manager- Grants at Restart, Inc. (New in 2021)
- Kyle J Benson-Smith: Founder of Determination, Incorporated
