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Reduced To A Number: Building People Building Dreams
Chris Dreisbach hires people you probably wouldn’t: people with criminal records and past substance use disorders.
And yet, somehow, he has a small empire of 15 businesses.
#EntrepreneurLife #Recovery #Transformation #Forgiveness #SecondChances #ChangeMakers
The Remarkable Transformation of Chris Dreisbach: From Felony to Philanthropy
Once trapped in the vicious cycle of crime and drug addiction, Chris’s journey from a convicted felon to a trusted real estate agent is nothing short of remarkable. In his late teens, Chris used to break into homes to fuel a heroin addiction, which seems almost surreal when juxtaposed with his current life as a successful serial entrepreneur with a portfolio of 15 companies. However, for Chris, this drastic turnaround wasn’t just a matter of changing his ways; it was about building a new identity based on trust and service to others.
This trust extends beyond professional boundaries, resonating on a profoundly personal level. In an almost poetic twist of fate, one of Chris’s former victims reached out to express her pride and a desire for friendship, affirming his hard-won path to recovery and the power of forgiveness.
Bridging Business and Recovery
Chris Dreisbach’s success as an entrepreneur relies on his ability to create and manage effective teams. With businesses ranging from addiction recovery centres to art galleries, food trucks, and real estate ventures, the diversity of his investments showcases an entrepreneurial spirit that thrives in various industries. Central to each endeavour is a focus on nurturing people’s skills and passions, ensuring his partners’ dreams are realised alongside his ambition to help others. This interconnection of personal growth and business acumen drives the ecosystem of his enterprises.
A keystone in this impressive business empire is Blueprints for Addiction Recovery. The treatment centre represents Chris’s commitment to helping others overcome addiction and serves as a testament to his journey. His decision to step back from the day-to-day operations to focus on family and other businesses underscores his confidence in his handpicked teams and his systems’ sustainability. Moreover, sports cards, art collectives, and food services are just a few domains where Chris applies his expertise, revealing how diverse interests can intertwine with sound business savvy.
Cultivating Passion and Purpose
The crux of Chris Dreisbach’s hiring philosophy is a search for passion and heart—qualities he considers unteachable but critical for weathering the storms of both life and business. This approach has seen his companies retain employees committed to their roles and the shared vision of enhancing lives. Whether discussing tax policy or assessing potential hires, Chris maintains that care, proper remuneration, and alignment with their strengths are fundamental to a prosperous workforce.
While diverse in operation, his vast array of businesses share a common thread: the elevation of individuals, whether in recovery or beyond. Chris recognises his talent for helping others achieve their dreams and building successful ventures, a synergy he relishes. His focus on recovery isn’t limited to businesses; it extends to his interaction with subcultures, as seen in his efforts with the mini docuseries ‘Repurposed’. The series vividly illustrates the life-changing power of rediscovering one’s passion and purpose. In his own words, without purpose, one must question if they are truly living.
Chris Dreisbach’s journey is a beacon for anyone struggling with addiction or searching for a meaningful life post-recovery. His story reveals that while the past may shape us, it does not define us. With passion, purpose, and the right support, transformation is not just possible but can be profound and far-reaching.
Overcoming Stigma and Reforming the System
The transformational tale of Chris Dreisbach is not just an individual success story but also a clarion call for a societal shift in how we perceive and handle addiction and incarceration. The daunting experience of trading one’s name for a number—becoming 013164—is a powerful symbol of the dehumanisation that often occurs within the criminal justice system. Chris’s reflections on this practice elucidate the deep-seated stigma attached to the label of “felon” and how such labelling can further entangle individuals in a web of shame and marginalisation, hindering their rehabilitation.
The evolution of Chris’s identity from a felon to a successful entrepreneur illustrates humans’ incredible capacity for change when provided with the right opportunities and support. Chris’s engagement with law enforcement today—working together rather than in opposition—demonstrates the progressive moves in some quarters towards a more humane and treatment-focused approach to handling offences related to substance misuse.
Enhancing Law Enforcement Approaches
The changes Chris discusses in Lancaster County, where police officers are trained to offer individuals with drug problems options for treatment instead of incarceration, highlight innovative approaches to shifting from a punitive to a therapeutic paradigm. These strategies recognise the importance of addressing the underlying issues contributing to criminal behaviour, namely addiction, rather than simply punishing the symptoms. This evolution denotes a move towards compassionate law enforcement that sees beyond the crime to the person behind it and seeks to restore rather than solely reprimand.
Chris’s collaboration with police officers and the district attorney to advance these initiatives demonstrates the critical role of cross-sector partnerships in creating a community-centric criminal justice model. By bringing his experiences into these collaborations, he offers invaluable insights into effective pathways out of addiction and crime.
The Role of Empathy in Recovery
Chris’s recounting of the moment his counsellor, a compassionate figure in his life, extended empathy and offered him a sweatshirt is poignant. It signifies the importance of human connection and kindness in the recovery process. This simple act of generosity was a pivotal moment for Chris, as it was a rare occasion during which he felt able to receive love and kindness, triggering a newfound warmth that began his journey towards healing.
Empathy in the treatment of individuals battling addiction can have transformative effects, providing them with the emotional nourishment required to rehabilitate. Such small gestures can mark the beginning of someone’s path to recovery, highlighting that emotional support is as crucial as the clinical approach within the recovery framework. The therapy provided at the halfway house was instrumental for Chris, underscoring the importance of a supportive environment for healing and reintegration.
Understanding Recreational Drug Use and Its Risks
Chris’s perspective on recreational drug use further expresses his nuanced understanding of substance use, shaped by personal experience and his work with others in recovery. While Chris himself abstains from drug use, he respects individual choices, provided they do not lead to harm. Yet, he is ardent about encouraging individuals to monitor their relationship with substances and seek help when use begins to have negative repercussions on their lives.
He refers to warning signs that recreational use may be escalating into dependency, such as the inability to go without substances, a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, job loss, or health problems. Chris’s advocacy for mental health and addiction support without shame or judgment is a clear message that recovery is about fostering self-improvement and self-compassion.
A New Outlook on Addiction Treatment and Prevention
As Chris highlights, changing the narrative around addiction from a moral failing to a treatable condition is essential. Establishing more treatment centres like Blueprints for Addiction Recovery is crucial for providing accessible and compassionate care. However, Chris’s work goes beyond just calling for more facilities; it requires a shift in mindset at both the societal and policy levels.
Emphasising an individual-centric approach, recognising the vastly different experiences and needs of each person struggling with addiction, is critical to developing interventions that resonate on a personal level. Advocacy for comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder treatment, coupled with systemic reforms to dismantle stigmatisation, are vital steps towards creating a society that not only rehabilitates but also prevents the cycle of addiction and incarceration from perpetuating.
Chris Dreisbach’s account is a testament to the potential for growth and positive change when individuals can heal and be supported in finding their purpose. His remarkable transformation continues to inspire and guide others on their path to recovery and inform the ongoing discourse on criminal justice reform and addiction treatment
Financial Literacy and Independence
Chris Dreisbach’s philosophy on financial success is rooted in his skilful navigation of economics and his unique approach to opportunities. His self-described ‘financial wizardry’ is underscored by his ability to make prudent financial decisions, especially in real estate—one of the more straightforward avenues through which he has achieved financial gain. His knack for identifying undervalued properties, investing in them, and turning them around for a profit epitomises his entrepreneurial spirit and showcases his acumen for wealth-building. Recognising the potential to monetise almost any passion in today’s internet-driven market, Chris emphasises the importance of finding what you love and leveraging it to create economic opportunities.
Entrepreneurial Resilience
Despite almost failing a high school class on the subject, Chris’s background in entrepreneurship is a profound reflection of the ‘learn by doing’ school of thought. Instead of sticking to conventional academic pathways, Chris found that real-life experiences and his penchant for various entrepreneurial ventures have been the true cornerstone of his education. His evolution as an entrepreneur echoes the sentiment that formal education is only sometimes the precursor to success. The practical application of skills, a willingness to adapt, and the drive to persist through challenges often build a successful business.
The Importance of Community and Building Support Networks
Dreisbach’s journey has illuminated the significance of community and human support. His advice for those looking to support loved ones struggling with addiction underscores a broader applicable principle: the power of love as a transformative force. Chris encourages reaching out and persistently seeking help from local resources, including treatment centres and government services, while fostering a non-judgmental support network.
The entrepreneur stresses the value of forming connections and growing a supportive community through social media platforms, be it locally or globally. His open invitation for anyone to reach out for a conversation, especially for those in need, spotlights his commitment to being accessible and providing assistance wherever possible.
Embracing Flexibility and Mindfulness in Personal and Professional Life
While Chris possesses a calendar—a nod to the necessities of a busy life—his philosophy on planning is remarkably fluid. His past experiences have taught him that despite one’s intentions, life often has other plans. So, his approach is to stay flexible and responsive to life’s events. This flexibility has served him well, allowing for a balance between professional responsibilities and personal enjoyment.
For Chris, every day provides a new canvas for productivity and service. Focusing on building a life that doesn’t require escape but is fulfilling by itself, he has created a reality where the prospect of a vacation isn’t as alluring as the joy his day-to-day life brings.
The Extraordinary Path from Hardship to Hope
Chris Dreisbach’s transformation embodies a narrative of redemption, purpose, and impact. His story is about overcoming personal adversity and his desire to serve others, create lasting change in the criminal justice system, and foster environments where individuals are empowered to turn their lives around. By embracing love, empathy, and financial literacy, Chris supports those seeking a way out of their struggles. Despite his laid-back demeanour, Chris is a testament to the idea that with determination and the right support system, one can construct a fulfilling and prosperous life, regardless of past circumstances.
Tapping into Global Conversations
Chris Dreisbach’s commitment to fostering positive change extends beyond local interactions, inviting an international discourse through platforms such as Hellohuman Global. This digital space allows individuals from all walks of life to engage in meaningful dialogues that transcend geographical boundaries. At the core of this initiative is the belief that shared wisdom and diverse perspectives can collectively contribute to societal improvements and inspire individual growth.
Fostering a Collaborative Environment
Hellohuman Global aims to create an ecosystem where empathy and compassion are paramount and diverse insights are welcomed and encouraged. The platform fosters an environment where:
- Individuals are encouraged to share their experiences and lessons learned.
- Listeners can find stories of triumph and resilience that resonate with their own lives.
- Users can offer or seek guidance and support for a multitude of challenges.
- A repository of resources is made available for those in need.
The Ripple Effect of Shared Stories
The initiative recognises the power of storytelling and its ability to ignite a ripple effect that can reach far and wide. Personal narratives carry the unique ability to motivate others, spark action, and instil hope. By circulating these stories through Hellohuman Global, Chris’s vision is to harness this power and create a network of influence and inspiration. It is within these shared narratives that individuals can find:
- A sense of community and belonging.
- The courage to face their own hardships.
- Strategies for overcoming obstacles.
- Encouragement to take decisive steps towards personal and collective betterment.
Encouraging Participation and Outreach
The platform actively encourages listeners and followers to participate by:
- Submitting questions that provoke further exploration of crucial topics.
- Offering resources that could assist others in their journey towards self-improvement.
- Sharing messages of support to foster an environment of mutual encouragement.
- Recommending individuals whose stories have the potential to uplift and empower the community at large.
Join the Movement
Ultimately, Hellohuman Global serves as a call to action for people everywhere to join a movement of empathy, support, and shared growth. Chris Dreisbach and the platform’s community champion the idea that collective wisdom paves the way for creating a world that is kinder and more resilient. Amidst the vast array of challenges faced by people globally, platforms like Hellohuman Global stand as beacons of hope, inviting everyone to contribute to a future where inspiration and change go hand in hand.
In line with this mission, the audience’s contributions—whether they are shared resources, volunteered wisdom, or the simple act of listening—are appreciated and essential. They aid in turning the tide from hardship to hope, thus reflecting Chris Dreisbach’s greater vision of a world where adversity does not define us, but rather the community and connections we build in response to it do.
It's Your Turn
Whether it’s through offering resources, sharing a message of support, or broadcasting stories of change and inspiration, each contribution carries incredible potential for driving positive change. Let’s keep this conversation going.
What was your big takeaway or insight from this episode?
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Resources Mentioned
REPURPOSED – EPISODE 1: TO FIGHT IS TO DIE – FEATURING BRANDON NOVAK
New York Times best selling author, professional skateboarder, and international recovery advocate Brandon Novak details his path to purpose.
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