(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- For many, job searching is tough. But for Jimmie Williams?
"It was almost impossible," he says. "No one would hire me."
Williams’ history of incarceration put him out of the running for many jobs, so he was forced to adapt.
"Although I couldn't get a job, I had to create one. That was huge."
After acquiring a pickup truck in a city where winter can be downright nasty, the focus quickly shifted to snow removal.
"We ended up going to different gas stations and passing out flyers," Williams said. "Before we knew it, we were plowing out gas stations throughout the city of Chicago."
Williams and his wife, Tiffany, started Urban Roots and adapted again when they realized clearing snow wouldn't pay the bills all year. They learned about lawn maintenance and landscaping from reading Home Depot books and watching YouTube videos.
Since 2008, the couple has been providing snow removal and landscaping services. Tiffany Williams says their mission goes far beyond that.
"We're trying to provide jobs for people who wouldn't necessarily get jobs elsewhere due to their background," she said. "People have gravitated towards the story of Urban Roots. When they see someone come from where Jimmie came from, it gives hope."
"The opportunities are endless out here," Jimmie Williams said. "We just have to apply ourselves."
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