Faith Driven Entrepreneur

Episode 324 - From Criminal Record to CEO: Cheri Garcia's Journey of Redemption and Second Chances

Mar 25, 2025

Cheri Garcia, Founder of Cornbread Hustle, shares her inspiring journey from being a teen drug dealer to becoming CEO of a multi-million-dollar staffing agency. She discusses the transformative power of employment for individuals with criminal records, emphasizing how hiring for second chances can reshape lives. Cheri highlights her personal story of hitting rock bottom and finding sobriety, and reflects on the dangers of control as an addiction. Her insights on resilience, community support, and the importance of vulnerability draw listeners into a narrative of hope and redemption.

53:06

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Episode guests

Cheri Garcia

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Cheri Garcia's journey from addiction to entrepreneurship illustrates the transformative power of personal struggles in realizing one's higher purpose.

The success of Cornbread Hustle highlights how second-chance hiring can significantly impact the lives of formerly incarcerated individuals and challenge societal biases.

Deep dives

God's Presence in Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurs often encounter God during unexpected moments, whether in times of joy or struggle. The narrative highlights Sherry's journey, showcasing that despite her challenges, she was able to recognize a higher calling and purpose beyond her setbacks. This theme emphasizes that God supports individuals through their darkest times and pushes them towards realizing their true potential. Ultimately, it stresses the importance of facing personal demons while maintaining faith in a greater plan for one's life.

Intro

2min

From Perfectionism to Resilience: A Journey Through Challenges

5min

Journey of Redemption and Entrepreneurship

25min

Second Chances: Redefining Employment for All

14min

The Power of Vulnerability: Sharing Journeys Through Pain and Healing

4min

Empowering Change Through Entrepreneurship and Second Chances

3min

In this powerful episode of the Faith Driven Entrepreneur podcast, host Justin Forman sits down with Cheri Garcia, founder of Cornbread Hustle, a staffing agency that has placed nearly 3,000 people with criminal records into jobs over the past decade.

Cheri shares her remarkable journey from selling drugs (including becoming her father's meth dealer as a teenager) to getting sober, founding a multi-million-dollar company, and helping thousands of formerly incarcerated individuals find meaningful employment and rebuild their lives.

Key Highlights:

Cheri's early entrepreneurial ventures and her descent into drug addiction and dealing
How hitting rock bottom (living out of her car, multiple arrests) led to her eventual path to sobriety
The unexpected pivot during COVID that transformed her business from struggling to multi-million dollar success
Why achievement and control can be more dangerous addictions than drugs or alcohol
The transformative impact of employment stability on former inmates' lives
Practical insights for employers considering second-chance hiring
How Cheri's painful experiences equipped her to connect authentically with others in their brokenness

Quotable Moments:

"I was pouring into other people while filling myself back up with alcohol... I was broken."
"Control is worse than drugs or alcohol because the triggers are more. The triggers are anything from needing to pee while you're in the middle of talking to somebody at a networking event... It's all day, every day."
"One in four adults have a criminal record. That's over 70 million people... and only 5% of HR managers say they actively choose people with criminal records as part of their talent pool."

Watch the full episode on YouTube or continue to stream audio on your favorite podcast platform.