Story & Lesson Highlights with Emily Evans of East Valley

We recently had the chance to connect with Emily Evans and have shared our conversation below.

Emily, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Getting out into nature is one of the best things for my mental health and joy. I’ve been blessed to go on many paddle boarding trips this summer, camping adventures, and times of stillness just sitting and listening to the wind in the trees.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Let’s kick off with a little story. In 2010 I had no idea the ways my life would change when stopped at a red light my husband and I were hit from behind. We were on his motorcycle and the car behind us didn’t stop. We flew 70 feet in the air and landed in the intersection three cars ahead of us. There was no time to think, react, or do anything other than just be in the moment.

That was when I learned that how employee benefits gets built impacts peoples lives in a very direct way and it’s what started me on my journey. Hi. My name is Emily Evans, I am the Founder/CEO of Wellth Journey. In the years after our accident I’ve learned through the experience I had, and the experiences of others that the system we have is working EXACTLY as it was built to.

Spoiler alert… it wasn’t built to help you and I stay healthy, and strong. Nor was it built to help Employers take care of their people. Over the years it’s changed greatly, and I think most of you would agree that the changes are starting to hit a little harder. Maybe a few of you would even say that somethings got to change, but have no idea what that something is.

Over my career in the benefits industry I’ve learned the stories of those affected, from patients who’s claims have been denied out of hand, to business owners who had to make hard choices on their benefits due to rising costs and saw no other way to make it work than passing costs on to their employees.

There has to be a better way, a path that will help solve the problems people are dealing with… and that’s why I founded Wellth Journey. Let’s find your path.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I’ve been blessed to be surround by people who have helped me live in empowerment. Empowerment is leaving yourself and others encouraged and present to our and their greatness and to the opportunity of life. These wonderful people are just a few of the many who have helped me along my path.

Kim, who took the time to help me learn why I see the world the way I do, what I’m capable of, and speaks life to me every time I see her.

Robert, who taught me how to move forward and gave me perspective.

Jacque, who asked a simple question of “Can you be open to opportunity?” when I was at an all time low having lost my business partner and their friendship of over 10 years as we sat in a booth at Panera Bread.

Deb, who walked me across the room to a woman and introduced me saying… “You need to mentor her”.

There’s many people who have been placed in my life for this reason. They give freely of themselves, put people first, and chose to invest in me.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
As an entrepreneur we’re lying to ourselves if we say no to this question. There are days that I look my boss in the eyes (aka myself in the mirror) and tell her “I quit”. She calls me back the next day and says “Let’s get to work. There’s people who need your help.”

Stepping out of corporate wasn’t as hard for me as it is for others. I grew up in a family of small business owners, I’d seen the struggles, the time away from family to focus on the business, and I’d also seen the flexibility to prioritize family when it mattered most. That helped make it easy to choose when, in 2011, I had the opportunity to start my own business in the employee benefits space. It began with offering insurance products that pay people directly when life happens, I knew that these coverages would have been helpful for my family when we had our motorcycle accident and jumped in with both feet.

I didn’t know anyone, or how to network at the time, and I would walk door to door of businesses to share what I knew, along with how it helped people. On more than one occasion there were people would, not so kindly, tell me to leave. One day I even had a business owner cussing at me just for walking through the door. While I understand now that the individual was having a particularly bad day, at the time it made me question my sanity for doing the work necessary to build my business.

In 2023 I had to make the decision on another level. I had just been told by my business partner that I was no longer part of the business. There’s a lot to the story that I won’t go into here, but I had to take some time to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. The pain and hurt had to be dealt with, I cried more days than I didn’t, and at times a memory will come up and I’ll cry again. All while knowing that everything happens for a reason. (Jeremiah 29:11)

I took my time. I delved deep into myself. Who would I choose to I be, if I could be anyone I wanted to? What would I do? Who could I serve? It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced. I choose gratitude for my journey, joy in the small things, and to be present in the moment. Was it the right choice? I guess we’ll see over the next 10 years.

Regardless of how it turns out I am constantly reminded that I am in the right place at the right time. My path is mine to choose, how I walk it is up to me, and the legacy I leave is my signature on the world. I choose to shine bright, and my hope is that by doing so I am inspiring others to do the same. I was put here for a purpose, and so were you.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That they are helping people, and it’s partially true. Which is what makes it so dangerous. I work in an industry that says it’s here to help people get the care they need. Then, at the same time, making it so expensive that people are actively avoiding care, or rationing their medication, because they can’t afford it. We have a duty to our fellow man to do better, and better is possible.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Building my business, and the who I need to become. My vision for the future is pretty big, and I’m certain that it’s not big enough. Who I am today, and where my business is today, will NOT get me there. I see a future where we are helping organizations in three key areas, people, health, and wealth.

People, helping them get the right team together, who are all working towards a common goal, and want to be the best person they can be to achieve their goals together.

Health, it starts with meeting people where they are at, figuring out how to help them live their best lives through the benefits we help their employer put in place. How these benefits get built can make or break people and we are continually learning new things to improve.

Wealth, not just for us in the now… but for generations to come. Building a money making machine for people and their families that helps them be prepared for whatever may come their way.

All of this gets built one day at a time, while working to serve existing clients, attract new ones, and basically running a media company all at the same time. The behind the scenes that it takes for all small businesses to run is something I think a lot of people are unaware of. There’s a ton of sacrifice, time away from family, heart poured in, and hours upon hours of effort that it takes to build.

That’s all just the business side, on the personal side it’s a continual push to better myself. Investing in coaching, conferences, learning, and bringing my family along whenever possible. It’s doing the work early in the morning and late at night so that in 7-10 years I can look back and see how far I’ve come, what I’ve built, and the people I’ve helped along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wellthjourney.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tbd_emilyevans/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyevansconsulting/

Image Credits
FemForce