A SECOND CHANCE, AND AN EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEE.

The caliber of talent is exceptional. They bring a tremendous amount of effort, capability, and an ability to execute tasks at a high level.

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Prasad Ventures LLC is a diversified, family-owned company that owns and operates several Jimmy John’s restaurants throughout Houston and develops successful real estate projects.

For Mohit Agrawal and the team at Prasad Ventures LLC, becoming a second-chance employer wasn’t simply about hiring someone with a criminal background. It was about recognizing the potential in someone ready for a new beginning.

“Everyone, at some point, looks for a second chance. When you evaluate these individuals, you quickly realize they are fully capable of change, excellent work, and true dedication. It is simply a matter of giving them the opportunity to perform and prove what they can do.”

A partnership that made hiring easier

When Empowering Women Out of Prison connected with Prasad Ventures, EWOP brought something especially valuable to the table: candidates who were prepared, motivated, and actively seeking employment.

For Mohit, EWOP’s proactive approach and ongoing support helped remove much of the uncertainty employers can experience when considering fair-chance hiring.

“Having that structured vetting and support system made the hiring process and considering these candidates incredibly easy for our business,” he shared.

That trust became especially important when it came time to make their first hire.

Mohit recalls that one of his managers initially had reservations about the partnership. His response was simple: “Let’s give EWOP a chance.”

What followed quickly reinforced that decision.

An employee who proved what was possible

Prasad Ventures has hired one EWOP graduate so far, and Mohit describes the experience as “nothing short of wonderful.”

The team was impressed not only by the caliber of the candidate EWOP connected them with, but by the way she showed up each day—as a hardworking, punctual, capable employee and a strong team player.

“I watched so many positive interactions unfold between our EWOP candidate and the rest of our team,” Mohit said. “In the end, it turned out to be a really beautiful, successful partnership that completely reinforced our decision.”

For Mohit, those qualities reflect exactly why businesses should consider expanding the way they think about talent.

“The caliber of talent is exceptional,” he shared. “They bring a tremendous amount of effort, capability, and an ability to execute tasks at a high level.”

For employers who are still hesitant

Mohit understands why some employers may have reservations about hiring someone with a criminal background—his own team experienced some of that uncertainty at first.

But having gone through the process himself, his encouragement to other business owners is straightforward:

“Trust the process and give them a chance. We all look for a second chance at some point in our lives. These candidates are highly capable of change, good work, and deep loyalty. If you give them the platform to perform, they will show you exactly what they are capable of.”

Partnering with EWOP, he says, also means employers aren’t navigating the process alone. EWOP helps connect businesses with women who are prepared to work while providing a support system beyond the initial introduction.

For Prasad Ventures, that has meant access to capable talent—and a partnership that has proven valuable for everyone involved.

“By offering a second lease on life, you aren’t just filling a vacancy—you are building a stronger, more resilient team and fostering a partnership that is incredibly rewarding for everyone involved.”

Mohit Agrawal, Manager, Prasad Ventures LLC.