Two former University of Plymouth students who were jailed for drug dealing have started a business to help other ex-offenders become entrepreneurs.
Sobanan Narenthiran and Pratik Doshi, founders of 3T Collective, were both operating out of their student digs in 2017.
Mr Narenthiran and Mr Doshi had hoped to become a doctor and an accountant, respectively, but saw their dreams destroyed when they were sent down for a total of almost five years.
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But now having been released from prison the pair have gone into a legitimate business together with what they describe as a “human incubator”. They aim to help other ex-offenders and people from “disenfranchised” backgrounds to become entrepreneurs and investors.
The 3T Collective offices bespoke packages and services to help people start a business including sales and business development, digital and direct marketing, events management and training.
Alongside 3T Collective, the two men currently attend Middlesex University and aim to change the lives of entrepreneurs, just like them, through consultancy services.
“We want to show people that those who commit crime together don’t need to continue to commit it together,” Mr Narenthiran said. “They can create a positive impact and break free of the label. Even if the shoe fits, we can still change our shoes.”
He said the idea of the company came to him and Mr Doshi while they were serving time behind bars.
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“During our time in prison, Pratik and I thought of the idea for supporting ex-offenders,” Mr Narenthiran said. “I remember being inspired by a TED-Ed video from a former prisoner who advocated for more opportunities for people like us.”
Mr Narenthiran, now aged 25, was a promising medical student, who had earned four A* and A grade A-levels in sixth form. He won a place at the University of Plymouth alongside his pal from childhood Mr Doshi, also now aged 25.
But the two were suspended by the university after being arrested when police found £2,000 worth of cannabis in their Greenbank abode.
In November 2017 they were jailed at Plymouth Crown Court. Both aged 21 at the time, Mr Narenthiran was caged for two years and eight months, while Mr Doshi received a two-year sentence.
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“In prison, we acknowledged the privilege we had before we were there. The label that you gain from it is one that can sadly take a lot of opportunities from you,” Mr Narenthiran said.
The two men initially worked in menial labour jobs on their release, experiencing the harsh life of ex-offenders with many opportunities and interviews shut down once it was found out they’d served a prison sentence.
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“Ex-offenders should be able to become more than what they’re labelled as – so we built 3T Collective to empower them so they, in turn, can empower those around them,” Mr Narenthiran said.
He said the name 3T Collective refers to “the three truths” – health, wealth and love. And he added: “The name came to us in prison because within the system we weren’t allowed these three truths.
“Our philosophy is built on training the trainer – teaching those disadvantaged by their labels and giving them the tools to pass on the teaching to others. The aim is to create a community forged around growth and empowerment.”