Staff Spotlight for October
Brandon Evans: A Journey of Empowerment and Connection
Brandon Evan's story with Sunshine Enterprises began back in 2018, while he was serving as the director of the Small Business Development Center at the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago. “I found out about Sunshine through Laura Lane Taylor," Brandon recalls. "In 2018, I was holding a series called Side Hustle Saturday, and Laura came to one of those sessions." That connection led him to begin training with us in 2019, marking the start of what is now a six-year journey of empowering entrepreneurs. As an instructor for our Community Business Academy (CBA), Brandon holds three key responsibilities: leading the 12-week training sessions, coaching students through the program, and offering holistic support as they navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. “In addition to teaching the curriculum and giving guidance on the homework, I'm giving perspective on being an entrepreneur and supporting (students) holistically during that time,” he says. This approach allows him to connect with participants in a meaningful way, understanding that they bring their full selves to the academy.
Brandon’s passion for entrepreneurship, particularly in minority and marginalized communities, fuels his work. “This gives me a platform to espouse the importance of entrepreneurship,” he shares. For him, entrepreneurship is not just about building businesses but also about addressing the unique issues faced by these communities. Over the course of his 16-plus years in economic and small business development, he has remained steadfast in his belief that entrepreneurship can be a powerful tool for change. One of his favorite aspects of the job is connecting with people. "I love people... I love our people, and the Community Business Academy gives me a chance to connect, fellowship, and be a value add to them. That means a lot to me." This connection is vital not only to the students' success but also to Brandon’s fulfillment in his role.
Brandon teaches the Southside II CBA, the only weekend cohort within Sunshine Enterprises CBA program. His topics range from personal budgeting and credit to competitive analysis, cash flow, breakeven pricing, and marketing. Of all the topics, his favorites are cash flow and breakeven pricing, taught in weeks six and seven. "It’s cool to see the light bulbs go off when we get through them," he says, explaining how these lessons provide students with crucial tools for monitoring their business finances. Creating a positive and inclusive environment is a top priority for Brandon. He believes authenticity is the key to fostering a sense of belonging. “I do my best to be funny and personable. I’m always playing music, and I’ll try to relate lesson items to relevant cultural happenings,” he says, emphasizing the importance of being his honest, authentic self in the classroom.
Over the years, Brandon has accumulated many memorable experiences at Sunshine Enterprises. The most meaningful, however, are the moments when students express gratitude for his help. “The most impactful thing is someone just saying ‘thank you for helping me with this’ or ‘this idea that you mentioned helped me figure this thing out.' Those are the moments that stick with me.” Through his work at Sunshine Enterprises, Brandon continues to make a difference in the lives of rising entrepreneurs, equipping them with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in business and beyond. His journey is one of passion, connection, and a deep commitment to fostering entrepreneurship in communities that need it the most.
Brandon Evans with his SouthSide II cohort students.
“You only fail when you quit… always be learning as it relates to your craft, but don’t fall into analysis paralysis either. Take the leap and build/iterate as you fly. ”