Prison Professors

Abstract

This lesson explores how discipline, resourcefulness, and self-directed learning can transform your life, no matter your starting point. Through the story of Brian, a self-made entrepreneur who built a $200 million business from humble beginnings, students will gain actionable insights to create opportunities and achieve their goals. This lesson challenges students to reflect on their own journeys and take the practical steps required to define success, establish goals, and persevere in the face of adversity.

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Narrative

Brian’s story begins with a childhood shaped by discipline, responsibilities, and adaptability. The son of a career military officer, Brian moved every four years, experiencing diverse environments, from Alaska to Massachusetts to Southern California. These frequent relocations required him to adapt quickly to new surroundings, laying the groundwork for his future success.

Although Brian grew up with a structured household, his academic performance lagged. “I was not a good student in school,” he admitted. However, he loved to read, consuming books voraciously—even entire series like Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys during snowy winters in Massachusetts. He credits this habit with strengthening his communication skills and feeding his curiosity. These early traits would serve him well later in life when he became a self-directed learner.

Upon graduating from high school in Southern California, Brian faced obstacles. His academic deficiencies meant he couldn’t attend a four-year university straight away, so he enrolled in junior college to catch up. After three years, he transitioned to Cal State to study political science. However, as the recession of the 1990s deepened, Brian realized that a college degree alone wouldn’t guarantee a stable career. Seeing college graduates work retail jobs reinforced this realization.

Brian took a bold step by leaving school before completing his degree and jumping into the workforce. Real estate became his first career pursuit. “Real estate has almost a zero barrier to entry,” Brian revealed during our interview. So long as a person could present himself professionally and speak with confidence, he could find opportunities.

Brian began working in asset management, learning how to manage income-producing properties and deal with legal and logistical challenges. This position exposed him to the complexities of the real estate market and gave him essential experience in managing systems, vendors, and people.

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Gaining Expertise in Asset Management

For anyone managing income-producing properties, the role entails a broad range of responsibilities that demand both strategic and operational expertise. At its core, the primary goal is to maximize the property's financial performance while maintaining its long-term value. This requires a deep understanding of budgeting, rent collection, and cost management. Ensuring that expenses such as maintenance, utilities, and property taxes remain within projections is key to sustaining profitability.

Property managers must also focus on tenant relations, as maintaining high tenant satisfaction helps ensure occupancy rates remain stable or grow. This means responding promptly to tenant concerns, enforcing lease agreements fairly, and fostering a sense of community among occupants. Furthermore, asset management encompasses a vital legal component—adhering to laws and regulations regarding property compliance, zoning, and fair housing practices.

Another key responsibility is overseeing maintenance and improvements to preserve the property’s physical condition and appeal. This involves working closely with vendors and contractors and scheduling regular inspections to address issues proactively. Strategic leadership is equally important, as asset managers often evaluate market trends and recommend decisions such as rent adjustments, renovations, or even property sales to optimize the portfolio's performance.

Ultimately, success in this role requires adaptability, interpersonal skills, and an analytical mindset to balance the complexities of operational management with the bigger picture of investment growth. Although a person may not be able to build a career as an asset manager while serving a prison term, had I worked through this lesson while I was in prison, I would have realized the potential in this career. I could work on developing skills that would position me for such a role, just as Brian did. For example, I could work on:

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Developing better writing skills to communicate ideas.
Develop better math skills, to track budgets.
Develop better understanding of business, to communicate risk-reward opportunities.

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Brian became successful because he routinely invested in personal development, which anyone can do.

By the late 1990s, Brian transitioned to the mortgage industry, where he thrived during a booming housing market. His discipline and willingness to learn allowed him to excel, even without formal experience. When discussing his early roles, Brian said, “What I learned is everybody else gets paid before you do—so you better be ready!” His first significant financial success was met with a sobering reality when taxes slashed his commissions by half. “I thought I was getting $10,000, but my paycheck was $5,500,” he recounted. This moment taught him the importance of accounting for real-world variables like taxes and cash flow.

Motivated by ambition and armed with lessons from his early career, Brian eventually started his own mortgage company in multiple states. However, the Great Recession of 2008 hit the housing market hard. Many of his peers in the industry were wiped out, but Brian positioned himself to bounce back by maintaining his network and tapping into his adaptability. Recalling this tough period, he remarked, “I kept in contact with everyone. And I’m proud of that because I’m not naturally someone who relies on a network. But it paid off.”

This lesson in personal networking is essential for anyone going through the judicial system. It's the reason we developed Prison Professors Talent. We urge members of our community to memorialize all that they're learning, showing how they can bring value to the marketplace. Essentially, it's the same principles that Brian used to develop his career, overcoming challenges that followed the recession.

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What steps are you taking to overcome the challenges of a felony conviction?

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Through connections, Brian learned about opportunities to buy foreclosed properties at auction. He leveraged his skills from asset management and built a business flipping and managing distressed properties. His approach was methodical and pragmatic. “Even if I only made $2,000 a deal, I stayed in the game,” Brian shared. The small wins added up over time, enabling him to scale into managing multi-million-dollar high-rise projects. Eventually, Brian’s business grew to $200 million in total assets, a testament to his grit, adaptability, and belief in continuous learning.

At the core of Brian’s story is a lesson in self-reliance. He cultivated his own opportunities through perseverance and preparation. Even as he reached new heights, he continually refined his skills and tackled challenges head-on. “The harder you work, the luckier you get,” Brian emphasized. His ability to seize opportunities wasn’t accidental; it was the result of intentional effort and planning.

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The Straight-A Guide Reflected in Brian’s Journey

Brian’s story serves as a living testament to the principles we teach in all of our introductory courses, including:

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Preparing for Success after Prison
Triumph: Building Bridges to Success
The Straight-A Guide.

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Our courses introduce students to foundational concepts such as goal-setting, consistent effort, and self-discipline—qualities that Brian embodied throughout his career. His unwavering focus on building assets and seizing opportunities echoes the course's emphasis on aligning daily actions with long-term objectives.

We want members of our community to understand how to anticipate obstacles and prepare for inevitable challenges, a skill Brian mastered as he navigated uncertain times with determination. His belief in continuous learning reflects the Straight-A Guide’s stress on self-improvement and adaptability, showcasing how success isn’t about avoiding failure, but rather about growing through it.

Brian didn't only spend time sharing his story in the video interview, he also worked closely with me in developing this lesson plan and volunteering with our nonprofit. Ultimately, we want members of our community to learn from Brian’s achievements. They are lessons in mastery, highlighting that success arises from deliberate and persistent steps, a message that reinforces the invaluable lessons we offer in all our introductory courses, including the Straight-A Guide.

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Recapping the 10 Lessons in The Straight-A Guide

The Straight-A Guide distills success into ten actionable lessons, each offering a roadmap for personal and professional growth. These lessons align closely with Brian's inspiring story, illustrating how deliberate application of principles can lead to extraordinary outcomes. It shows that I did not create the lessons out of think air. Rather, I learned them from master's like Brian. His story, in my view, is a powerful reminder that success is a process crafted by intentional choices and perseverance.

The ten lessons in The Straight-A Guide provide a roadmap for anyone striving to create a life of purpose and fulfillment, and Brian’s story reflects each of these principles in action.

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Define Success - Brian began by visualizing what success meant to him. It wasn’t only about material achievements but about leading a life of impact and integrity. This clarity became his compass, guiding every decision he made.
Set Clear Goals - Once his vision was clear, Brian broke it into tangible, measurable goals. These goals gave him a sense of direction and purpose, ensuring every step he took aligned with his greater vision.
Proceed with the Right Attitude - Challenges came his way, but Brian’s unwavering faith in his ability to overcome them shaped his positive and resilient mindset. He learned that attitude, more than circumstances, determines the outcome.
Aspire to Something More - For Brian, aspiration was about dreaming beyond his current circumstances. He sought growth, not just for himself, but to create a legacy that would inspire others.
Take Incremental Action Steps - He understood the importance of building momentum through small, consistent actions. Progress wasn’t about immediate leaps forward but about daily efforts that compounded over time.
Hold Yourself Accountable - Brian took ownership of his choices and outcomes. He viewed accountability as a strength, not a limitation, and this sense of responsibility became a foundation for his progress.
Stay Aware of Opportunities and Make Others Aware of You - By staying vigilant and proactive, Brian recognized opportunities others might miss. At the same time, he shared his mission openly, building connections and inviting the right people into his story.
Be Authentic - Authenticity defined Brian’s character. By staying true to himself and his values, he built trust and respect among those he worked with and inspired.
Celebrate Incremental Achievements - Rather than waiting for a perfect finish line, Brian celebrated every small milestone along the way. These celebrations fueled his motivation and reminded him of how far he had come.
Live in Gratitude - Finally, Brian embraced gratitude as a daily practice. Whether for the support of loved ones, the lessons learned from hardships, or the joy found in simple moments, his attitude of thankfulness infused his life with meaning.

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Through these lessons, Brian exemplifies the results of those who live in accordance with the principles we teach in The Straight-A Guide. His story offers evidence that success does not come by accident. It requires deliberate and intentional actions. By adopting these principles, we too can shape our lives with intention, resilience, and gratitude.

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Vocabulary Development

Resilience – The ability to recover quickly from adversity.
Pragmatic – Dealing with situations in a practical, results-oriented way.
Adaptability – The capacity to adjust to new conditions or challenges.
Sobering – Having the effect of making you more serious or aware.
Ambition – A strong desire to achieve something, typically requiring grit and effort.
Asset Management – Managing financial investments or property for profit.
Cash Flow – The total amount of money being transferred into and out of a business.
Intentional – Deliberate or purposeful actions.
Self-Reliance – Reliance on one’s own efforts and abilities.
Scalability – The ability of a business model to grow and handle increased demand.

‍Self-Directed Reflection Questions

What specific skills or habits can you work on developing to become a self-reliant individual?
How can you practice resilience when faced with a significant setback?
Brian repeatedly emphasized the importance of networks. How can you strengthen your relationships today?
What small steps can you take now to align your goals with your definition of success?
Reflect on a time when you turned a challenge into an opportunity. What can you learn from that experience?
How do you handle frustration or disappointment when things don’t go as planned?
Brian spoke about being in the game, even if it meant small wins. How can this mindset help you stay motivated in challenging circumstances?
Which area of your life could benefit from better planning or goal-setting?
How can the principle of adaptability help you prepare for future opportunities?
What steps can you take today to hold yourself accountable for your actions and progress?

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Regardless of where we are, we can always work on personal development. If I had the opportunity to listen to Brian's interview while I was in prison, and work through the lesson that he helped me create, I would have used the ten questions above as a prompt. By writing a response, I would create evidence of showing how I was working to prepare for success, and I would have published my response on the profile I build at Prison Professors Talent.

Consider the following as a sample response to one of the reflection questions above:

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Sample Response to Reflection Question

Question: What small steps can you take now to align your goals with your definition of success?

Sample Response: My goal is to become a better communicator because I know it’s essential for my future success. To align with this goal, I will dedicate 30 minutes daily to reading books about communication and practicing writing clearly. I’ll also ask one person each week for feedback on how I come across when I speak. These small steps will help me build confidence and competency while ensuring I’m making consistent progress.

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The Power of Consistency

Brian’s experiences highlight an essential truth about success—consistency is often more powerful than bursts of effort. Small, deliberate actions, repeated over time, pave the way for lasting achievements. Whether it was staying engaged with his network or methodically working through property deals, Brian demonstrated that success doesn't require perfection, but persistence. “Consistency compounds,” he said, reflecting on his incremental progress. “You don’t have to hit a home run every time—just keep showing up.”

This principle applies beyond business. Consistency builds habits, strengthens skills, and fosters relationships. It’s the foundation upon which personal and professional growth is built. By approaching goals with discipline and steady effort, even daunting challenges can be broken into manageable steps. Each small win becomes a building block, moving the needle closer to long-term success.

At its core, consistency is about trust—trusting the process, trusting your abilities, and trusting that your efforts will eventually lead to results. Brian’s story serves as an inspiring reminder that perseverance, combined with a commitment to continual improvement, can open doors to opportunities you never imagined possible.

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The Role of Mindset in Achieving Success

A key element of Brian’s approach to success lies in his mindset. He understood early on that external circumstances often fluctuate beyond our control, but the way we think and respond is entirely within our power. This growth-oriented perspective allowed him to view failures not as endpoints, but as opportunities to learn and grow. Brian’s mindset was rooted in optimism, resilience, and a belief in his own ability to adapt. “Success starts in your mind,” he would often say, emphasizing that self-doubt was the greatest barrier to achievement.

Cultivating a strong, success-oriented mindset requires intentional effort. It begins with self-awareness—actively identifying limiting beliefs and replacing them with empowering ones. It involves staying focused on one’s goals while remaining open to change, a balance between discipline and flexibility. Brian’s story reminds us that even in the face of adversity, maintaining a constructive and determined attitude can transform the path forward.

Ultimately, mindset shapes not only how we pursue our goals but also how we handle the inevitable roadblocks along the way. With the right perspective, challenges become stepping stones, and persistence becomes second nature. By committing to growth, both mentally and emotionally, anyone can tap into their full potential and move closer to their aspirations.

This lesson plan empowers learners to apply Brian’s insights to their own self-transformation, fostering discipline, adaptability, and long-term success.

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The Importance of Building a Supportive Network

Success is rarely a solo endeavor. One of Brian’s most valuable lessons lies in the power of cultivating and maintaining a strong, supportive network. He often credited much of his progress to the relationships he built over time—whether they were mentors who offered guidance, peers who collaborated on projects, or friends who provided encouragement during challenging times. “Your network is your net worth,” Brian would say, underscoring the idea that surrounding yourself with the right people can amplify your efforts and open doors to opportunities you might not find on your own.

Building a network takes intentionality. It starts with finding shared values and offering value to others first. Rather than focusing solely on what others can do for him, Brian prioritized being helpful, trustworthy, and reliable. This approach fostered genuine connections based on mutual respect and understanding. Over time, these relationships developed into a foundation of trust and support, where both parties could grow and succeed together.

A supportive network also serves as a vital resource during times of uncertainty. Brian leaned on his relationships for advice, inspiration, and perspective, especially when faced with difficult decisions. These connections became an anchor, reminding him that he was never truly alone in his pursuits.

The lesson here is clear: success doesn’t exist in isolation. By investing in relationships, offering value, and nurturing connections with care, you create a community that empowers you to achieve more than you could on your own. Whether through mentorship, collaboration, or simply mutual encouragement, your network becomes a key component in unlocking your potential.

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Final Takeaway

The response provided above is only a sample and serves as a guide for thoughtful reflection. Students should take the time to engage in self-directed learning by considering the questions and themes presented. Use this opportunity to develop your own insights, respond to any of the questions, or address all of them. Once completed, publish your responses on your personal profile at PrisonProfessorsTalent.com to share your growth and perspective with a broader community.

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Lessons in Discipline, Adaptability, and Grit: Brian's MasterClass