PERC is partnering with Defy Ventures, a nonprofit organization that provides entrepreneurship, employment readiness, and personal development training programs to men and women in correctional facilities across the United States.

PERC recognizes that many incarcerated people can achieve positive well-being, become successfully employed, and launch successful, legal entrepreneurial endeavors. This program will facilitate a 6 to 8 month in custody training that empowers individuals to become the CEO of their new life.

The curriculum, CEO of Your New Life provides entrepreneurial training, employment readiness, and other personal development tools to men and women in correctional facilities across the United States. The in-custody training concludes with a business pitch, where Entrepreneurs in Training (EIT) will be required to present their business idea for an opportunity to compete for grant funds to assist with starting their business.

This PERC track is designed for those entrepreneurially minded individuals that have already transitioned back to their communities yet continue to be plagued with economic barriers that impede on the ability to live a meaningful life.

PERC’s community training is provided by its training partner, Sunshine Enterprises through its Community Business Academy (CBA).   The Community Business Academy is a 12-week course offering hands-on training in business planning and business management.

The course covers topics like budgeting, marketing, bookkeeping, cash flow, pricing strategies, and credit building in a dynamic learning environment. Classes are held once a week in the evenings at various locations throughout Chicago.

The small business lab is a part of CBA that presents a unique environment where participants gain hands-on experience in running a business under real-world conditions.

Each session simulates a month of business activity in the marketplace, where teams compete for business while striving to earn a profit. Teams track sales, expenses and monitor cash flow, all while sharpening essential marketing and finance skills.