From Background Checks to Cutting Checks with Jay Dan Gumm

Underdog Empowerment

One of the first people to take Zach’s original Podcast Powertrain courses was Jay Dan Gumm. He credits Zach’s guidance with propelling him to where he is today. As the host of Background Check, Jay Dan aims to help people with a past realize their future. Having spent some time in prison himself, Jay Dan knows first hand how hard it can be to not only stay out of prison, but to elevate your life.

Growing up, Jay Dan was raised in the church and went to private school, but he was a rebel. Becoming an alcoholic by age 13, Jay Dan was kicked out of two junior high schools. He straightened up for a little bit since his mother was a teacher at the school, but when he went to college he picked up right where he left off. He can’t count the number of times he was arrested for alcohol related incidents. After his 5th DWI, Jay Dan was facing prison. He had a court appearance for a bond hearing, and the judge told Jay Dan that he didn’t see a bright future for him, so his bond was denied. He ended up spending 3 years in prison, but it wasn’t all bad. That’s where Jay Dan’s faith journey began. He says he heard a voice tell him that there’s more to life than getting drunk. While in prison, Jay Dan was mentored by two other inmates. When they got out, he thought they’d go change the world, but instead they landed back in prison before Jay Dan even left. That’s when he realized he wanted to help people getting out of jail to not only stay out, but to thrive. That’s how the organization Forgiven Felons came to be.

With his own struggles to get hired as a convicted felon, Jay Dan decided to start his own handyman business. The problem was things would get slow in the fall and winter months. So, when someone asked Jay Dan to hang Christmas lights for them, he realized that’s how he could get through the slow season. He now has as many customers as he can handle alone. Still, he hopes to scale the business into year-round exterior lighting so that he can hire other felons that need work. Forgiven Felons has also grown into transitional housing, and soon a resource center. Often visiting prisons to spread his story, Jay Dan can’t imagine going back to his old ways.

When Covid hit in 2020, Jay Dan could no longer go to the prisons to speak with the inmates. That’s when he says a voice inside told him to start a podcast. He didn’t know the first thing about starting a podcast, and was told he should check out Zack Babcock. Jay Dan took all of Zach’s courses, bought all the equipment he recommended, and hit the ground running. He dove right in, with his first guest being a man that was wrongly convicted for murder, and his second, a lady from the Netflix documentary, I Am A Killer. He’s since interviewed inmates, a retired warden, and soon a current warden. Jay Dan’s success came from implementing the information he received from Zach. After all, effort is not all you need, you need it in the right direction.

Another incentive to succeed that Jay Dan offers anyone that’s worked for him for at least a year and wants to start their own business, is that he’ll help them. He will buy them startup assets, and all he asks in return is that they give back to the Forgiven Felons organization in some way when they’re able. Wherever Jay Dan goes, he asks what his purpose is. He knows that everything happens for a reason, and believes in always doing the next right thing. He stays on the right path through discipline and consistency. He knows that having core values to live by is important. His family’s core values are love, honor, generosity, and curiosity.

If you would like to build a dominant brand like Jay Dan with a podcast, you can check out Underdog Empowerment. They’ve helped hundreds of entrepreneurs to get launched, ranked, and to grow their audience. Simply head to UnderdogEmpowerment.com/Apply. You can jump on a call with Zach to see if it’s a good fit for you. In addition, you’re going to want to be at the next Dog Pound Live event. Happening July 14th, tickets are available now over at UnderdogEmpowerment.com/Events.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Jay Dan found his faith in prison.
• What books have changed Jay Dan’s mindset.
• Why your family should have their own core values.
• And much more!

Favorite Quote:

“We get caught in the land of familiarity and complacency and we don’t go pursue our dream.” -Jay Dan Gumm

Connect With Jay Dan:

Forgiven Felons

Instagram

Facebook

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How to Get Involved:

Get podcasting help here.

For more on how to grow your business, check out this episode.

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