Starting from Less than Zero with the Loftons

Chris and Stephanie Lofton are the people behind Edens Touch Diversified, a landscaping company that serves municipal and commercial entities in the Dallas, Fort Worth area. The company provides complete landscaping services and uses cutting-edge technology to take clients on 3D walk-throughs of their dream projects. What separates Chris and Stephanie from other business owners is how they were both incarcerated and had to work their way up with an X on their backs. Because of the challenges of finding new life after prison, they prioritize hiring employees who are seeking a second chance at everyday life.

Chris and Stephanie join me today to describe what it's like to get back into society after spending time behind bars. They share the challenges of discrimination, especially when looking for work. They explain how they eventually found their way up and started their own companies. They also discuss the people who helped them get back on their feet and why hiring ex-convicts isn't as bad as people think.

"People are never going to be perfect, but teach them to choose—and choose right." - Stephanie Lofton

This week on Priorities Lifestyle:

• The story of how Chris and Stephanie started from less than zero
• How they met in prison and what life was like after being released
• The challenges of living everyday life as ex-prisoners
• How Chris managed to buy a minivan by selling candy bars
• How Chris became a manager despite having an "X" on his back
• Who Judy is and how she helped Chris and Stephanie in their business
• Addressing the stigma around ex-prisoners in the workplace
• What managers and employers don't understand about ex-prisoners
• The challenges involved with hiring ex-convicts
• Teaching people to choose the correct answer all the time

Our Favorite Quotes:

• "What I realized about our business was, when it was more about people and how we could help them be better, the business took off." - Chris Lofton
• "We can't raise our kids exactly to be what we imagine them to be." - Rob Schulz
• "You take care of your people, your people will take care of you." - Rob Schulz

Connect with Chris and Stephanie Lofton:

• Edens Touch Diversified
• Regional Railroad
• Chris Lofton on LinkedIn
• clofton@edenstouchlandscape
• slofton@regionalflaggingdfw.com

About Rob Schulz and P&L Priorities & Lifestyle Podcast

The P&L: Priorities & Lifestyle Podcast is a show for business owners. In each episode, host and financial planner Rob Schulz sits down with business owners and the professionals that serve them to talk about business building, life, money — and the all-important transition out of the business, which inevitably happens to everyone who has ever founded a company.

Email Rob at rob.schulz@schulzwealth.com with questions and comments, or to schedule a one-on-one conversation.

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*You're listening to P&L: Priorities & Lifestyle with your host Rob Schulz. Rob is the Founder and President of Schulz Wealth. All opinions expressed by Rob and his guests are solely their own opinions and do not reflect the opinions of Schulz Wealth. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions. Please refer to our website for more information: schulzwealth.com.