“I was told that there are way too many popcorn companies, that I’d never be able to stand out, and that no one would buy popcorn from a former inmate,” she says. “Well, look where we are now.”

Where O’Brien is now is fulfilling her mission to employ and empower the formerly incarcerated, using all of her success to help others who faced similar hardships. And she’s carried a lot of the lessons she learned while incarcerated into entrepreneurship.

“I think an entrepreneur needs to have sass, have grit, and creativity,” she says. “An entrepreneur needs to be able to solve problems that are important, have a sense of resilience, having that focus. They need that thirst for change and a desire to build a life and a job for yourself that makes you and others happy.”

As her company grew, so did her appreciation for her circle, the people who always powered her through the dark times.  “Whether it’s a day’s setback or a longer-term setback, it’s just about having the right support around you to help you navigate the the difficult times,” O’Brien says. “Obviously, it can be very isolating, but if you have the right people in your life, it’ll help you through it.” 

Even with a strong support system, success doesn’t come without challenges. Patience, she says, is vital to success, and asking for help is crucial to growth. O’Brien believes that learning when to ask experts for insight and advice is invaluable and a key driver in success. But its also important to enjoy every moment of the journey.

“If I was giving advice to my younger self, I’d say ‘Buckle up, baby. It’s going to be a hell of a ride.’”