Why We Use Real-World Business Terms in Prison
Why Language Matters Words shape how people think. They also shape how people see themselves. In the Prison Entrepreneurship Program, participants aren’t taught simplified or “watered down” concepts.…
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Month: October 2025
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Financial Literacy Inside: Why Budgeting Matters Before Release
Why Money Habits Start Inside For many people leaving prison, finances are one of the biggest stressors. Bills, fees, job changes, housing deposits; it adds up quickly. That’s…
Why We Call It a Brotherhood
More Than a Program PEP doesn’t operate like a traditional class or workshop; it feels like family. That’s intentional. The men who join PEP aren’t just students; they…
What It Means to Lead Yourself First
Leadership Starts from Within PEP teaches business, but leadership is the heart of the program. Before participants are ready to manage a team, build a company, or serve…
Learning Is Hot: A First-Time Volunteer’s Reflection on PEP
When Rice University student Juliana accepted an invitation to visit the Prison Entrepreneurship Program, they didn’t expect to spend the day dancing, laughing, and judging business pitches inside…
The Discipline of Entrepreneurship Inside Prison
Why Discipline Comes First Before a business plan is drafted or a pitch is delivered, PEP participants focus on something far less flashy; discipline. That’s because successful entrepreneurship…
What Second-Chance Hiring Really Looks Like
Beyond the Label: Hiring for Potential Second-chance hiring isn’t just a trend. It’s a movement built on the belief that people are more than their past, and that…
How PEP Participants Learn to Handle Conflict
Turning Conflict Into Growth Conflict is a part of life; at home, at work, and in community. But most people aren’t taught how to navigate it productively. For…
What PEP Volunteers Learn from the Experience
Transformation Is a Two-Way Street While PEP is focused on equipping incarcerated men for life after prison, many volunteers will tell you the program has changed their lives,…
Accountability: The Value That Anchors Transformation
As the Estes Fall 2025 class prepares for their Business Plan Competition and Graduation this Friday, one theme has emerged as their most impactful Driving Value: accountability. This isn’t just a…