Maranda Evans
Trailblazing Women
EMPOWERING BOSS LIFE
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?
Maranda Evans: I am Maranda Evans, a resilient individual who has triumphed over adversity and found inspiration to motivate others. Despite encountering challenges like an absentee father, surviving abuse, and managing mental illness, my dedication lies in assisting individuals in turning their pain into purpose. With my innate gift of writing and encouragement, I navigate various roles as a multi-faceted entrepreneur, author, vlogger, founder of a nonprofit organization mentoring youth, and a public speaker. Through these diverse avenues, my goal is to make a positive impact on the lives of those around me.
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If you have a business, could you describe it and how you started it?
Maranda Evans: As a multi-faceted entrepreneur with various businesses, I'll share insights into each of them. Evans Financial Solutions, my accounting company, had its origins in 2015 when I began managing the accounting for a restaurant in Houston, TX during my graduate school days at TxSU. My boss at the time entrusted me with taking over the client's bookkeeping, and once I realized my capability in providing businesses with accurate financials and taxes, I decided to promote my services. Now, I have over 10 clients in diverse industries, helping them stay financially organized.
My journey as an author traces back to my late grandmother, Mildred Stoot, who inspired my love for writing from a young age. Although I always had a passion for writing, I never thought I would become an author until I recognized the power of my story. The publication of my first book, "Troubled," marked the beginning of my authorship, and I continued writing and publishing books, leading to the creation of Victorian Publishing, LLC. Each published work, including "Renewed Strength" and "One Flesh," fills me with pride as I contribute literary pieces to the world. I'm currently working on my fourth book, "Transformation," scheduled for release in September 2023.
The Troubled Movement, my nonprofit, was born from the roots of my first book. Recognizing the need to support today's teens, I founded this movement to provide mentorship to teen boys and girls, offer scholarships, host educational events, and assist abuse victims through the #PurpleForRandy initiative. This initiative, initiated in honor of my late father, aims to raise awareness about domestic violence, an issue that claimed his life on March 14, 2004. Reflecting on the past eight years, I've accomplished much since the age of 22, and I attribute my success to God's guidance and purpose for my life. I remain determined to follow His path and continue making a positive impact.
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What challenges have you faced as a woman in your field, and how have you overcome them?
Maranda Evans: As a woman, particularly as an African American woman, I've encountered various challenges in my field. Among the significant hurdles are issues related to support and funding. Securing investment and finding individuals or companies willing to invest in my business has proven to be a formidable task. Over my eight years as an entrepreneur, it took five to six years to start seeing a profit for all the hard work I was putting in. In my personal observation, despite the fact that black women star t businesses and become entrepreneurs at a rate of 41.5% in the U.S., the funding and investment we receive remain below 10%, highlighting a significant disparity.
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What accomplishments are you most proud of since being featured in Empowering Boss Life magazine?
Maranda Evans: My proudest accomplishment since being featured in Empowering Boss Life magazine is the establishment of my publishing company, Victorian Publishing, Inc., dedicated to my late grandmother. Additionally, the release and launch of my fourth book, "Transformation," on September 1, 2023, hold a special significance as it coincides with my birthday. This accomplishment marks a significant milestone in my writing journey and personal growth.
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How have you continued to empower and mentor other women in your industry?
Maranda Evans: In addition to my long-standing commitment to mentoring youth, I extend support to other women aspiring to establish nonprofits or businesses. Through my company, Evans Financial Solutions, I provide free consultations to guide individuals in setting up LLCs, managing financials effectively, filing taxes accurately, and offering overall motivation to pursue their dreams and goals. One area I particularly enjoy is assisting new writers in their journey to become authors. Having had a great mentor myself, I find fulfillment in passing on the knowledge and support to those eager to tread a similar path.
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Could you share an impactful story or experience that has shaped your journey and outlook on life?
Maranda Evans: One impactful story that has profoundly shaped my journey and outlook on life revolves around the theme of true forgiveness. After 11 years of her disappearance, God orchestrated a moment where I encountered the woman who had murdered my father through domestic violence. Surprisingly, I met her at my church. Instead of succumbing to anger or fear, I felt a sense of empathy towards her. While I wished to ask her about the reasons behind her actions, the opportunity never presented itself. In that moment of mutual acknowledgment, I experienced the true meaning of forgiveness, and my heart was finally released from a burden I had carried for so long.
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How has your life and career evolved since being featured in Empowering Boss Life magazine?
Maranda Evans: Since my last feature, my life and career have experienced significant evolution. I've established two LLCs: Evans Financial Solutions and Victorian Publishing, Inc., opting to
categorize my businesses by type instead of having them all under my umbrella brand, Elements of ME. I've proudly released two books, "One Flesh: The Handy-Dandy Celibacy Workbook" and "Transformation: A Memoir Part Two." Additionally, I've published five books for other authors under Victorian Publishing, Inc. Venturing into the realm of YouTube, I am now a vlogger with a channel named Elements of ME Motivation. The Troubled Movement, Inc., my nonprofit, continues to thrive and evolve, entering its seventh year. Reflecting on these accomplishments, I've come to realize the immense growth and transformation in my life. Constantly on the move, I'm always creating the next big thing. This underscores the importance of reflection, journaling, and tracking one's goals.
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What have you learned about yourself and your leadership style since being featured in Empowering Boss Life magazine?
Maranda Evans: Since being featured in Empowering Boss Life magazine, I've learned two valuable lessons about myself and my leadership style. Firstly, I've discovered the importance of taking more vacations. Traveling has become a source of relaxation and refreshment, allowing me to recharge and maintain a healthy balance. Secondly, I've come to recognize the indispensable role of my Publicist and Vice President, Christian Simmons. Their support and collaboration have been instrumental in achieving our collective success. My leadership style, characterized by understanding yet assertiveness, remains consistent. However, with time and experience, I've gained additional wisdom that enhances my approach.
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How have you continued to challenge yourself and grow as a leader?
Maranda Evans: I've continued to challenge myself and grow as a leader by expanding my businesses, nurturing the bonds within my team, whom I consider family, and recognizing the importance of taking breaks. While setting and achieving goals is crucial, knowing when to step back is equally significant. I emphasize not overworking oneself to meet societal or social media standards, prioritizing well-being over external expectations.
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What does being an empowering boss mean to you, and how do you strive to embody that in your everyday life and interactions with others?
Maranda Evans: Being an empowering boss means creating and uplifting other boss women. I believe in collaboration over competition, emphasizing the importance of lifting each other up. As a public speaker and mentor, I strive to spread light, love, and the blessings of God into the lives of others. My goal is to inspire individuals with faith, courage, and dedication, letting them know that they can achieve their dreams.
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How do you prioritize self-care and maintaining a healthy work-life balance? what tips can you offer other busy women?
Maranda Evans: Prioritizing self-care for me starts with waking up to God through my 5-Minute Bible Study every morning and evening. I have a dedicated prayer closet for reflection and release. Regular trips and vacations help me unwind, along with stretching and reading uplifting books. Planning is key; from brushing my teeth to putting on my satin cap, everything is organized. Tips for busy women include taking breaks, organizing tasks, prioritizing, and delegating when possible. Sticking to a schedule is crucial, ensuring that self-care, like lunch at 1 p.m., is honored. The mantra is to put God first, oneself second, and everyone else third.
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How do you stay motivated and inspired, even in the face of adversity?
Maranda Evans: For me, staying motivated and inspired is simple —it's God, prayer, and faith. That's all I need. Additionally, inspiring others, working in alignment with God's purpose for my life, is a continuous source of motivation and inspiration.
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What new projects or initiatives are you currently working on?
Maranda Evans: While I'm not currently working on new projects, I recently released my fourth book, "Transformation." It serves as the sequel to my first book, "Troubled," which recounts my life story from ages 11 to 21. "Transformation" delves into my experiences from 21 to 29. The concluding book in the series will be titled "Triumphant." All of my published works are available for purchase on victorianpublishing.com.
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What are your future goals and aspirations, both personally and professionally?
Maranda Evans: My personal and professional goals align closely. I aspire to continue working in my purpose of uplifting others. I envision myself as both a domestic and international speaker, with a determined goal of delivering a TED Talk to empower others through my gift of encouragement.
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What changes or advancements do you hope to see for women in your industry in the next 5-10 years?
Maranda Evans: In the next 5-10 years, I hope to witness more advancements for women in my industry. Specifically, I would like to see a significant increase in the number of black-owned and women-owned publishing companies and accounting firms. Currently, the percentage of women-owned publishing companies stands at 44.8%, and I aim to see this number rise to at least 60%. Similarly, for CPA's and accountants, I envision more women establishing their own companies, reducing the reliance on major corporations.
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What do you envision for the future of women in your industry, and how do you plan to contribute to that vision?
Maranda Evans: In the future of the accounting and publishing industry, I envision a landscape with more blackowned and women-owned companies. To contribute to this vision, I plan to continue my role as a mentor and motivator, particularly focusing on empowering women in the accounting and publishing sectors. Through mentorship and encouragement, I hope to inspire more women to establish their own businesses and succeed in these industries.
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What advice would you give to women who are just starting out in your industry?
Maranda Evans: To women starting out in the industry, I would advise taking the time to learn and conduct thorough research on the industry you are entering. Seek out mentors or individuals who can provide guidance, and make the most of consultations and internships, even if they are unpaid. Building a solid foundation of knowledge and experience will contribute significantly to your success in the long run.
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How have you continued to empower and inspire other women in your industry or community?
Maranda Evans: I continue to empower and inspire other women in my industry and community through mentorship and motivation, primarily through public speaking events. Sharing my experiences, insights, and knowledge allows me to uplift and encourage others to pursue their goals and overcome challenges.
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Lastly, what message would you like to share with the Empowering Boss Life community and its readers?Maranda Evans: Congratulations to all my Lady Bosses out there! Keep doing your thing. I see you, and I love you.