Kwon and Jay Evans Interview | Respect the Dreamer
We are a husband and wife duo from Staten Island — a doubted team, newly married, raising a teenager, a newborn, and dreamchasing. People didn’t see the vision, but we saw it so clearly. No money, no blueprint, no safety net — just faith, fire, and each other.
It all really started after our oldest son was born. That moment flipped a switch in us. We knew we couldn’t raise our kids in the same survival mode we grew up in. So we broke the cycle. Packed up everything we had, left Staten Island behind, and started fresh in Virginia with nothing but belief.
From building our own home with our own hands to becoming accidental landlords to raising four incredible kids — we turned every no into a new lane. We were never just chasing a dream… we were building a legacy. Together.
What inspired you to pursue your dream, and how did it all begin?
It really started after our oldest son was born. We were just entrepreneurs from Staten Island — newly married, raising a teenager and a newborn — with some money saved, sacrificed using ALL credit, and no real resources. All we had was faith, drive, and a vision that we refused to let go of.
We knew we didn’t want our kids growing up in survival mode like we did. That pushed us to break the cycle. So, we took a leap of faith, left Staten Island behind, and moved to Virginia to start fresh.
From there, we hustled hard — learned every trade ourselves, built our home from the ground up, figured out contracts, flipped houses, repaired credit, and became landlords without even planning to.
It wasn’t easy, but it was purpose-driven. Our kids were — and still are — the reason we keep going. We never used our kids as a struggle but fuel. We even grew our family to six.
Can you share a defining moment in your journey that shaped your perspective and fueled your passion?
A defining moment was watching my husband build our entire home with his own two hands. No builder. No contractor. Just him, me, our babies in tow, and God leading the way. That changed everything for us.
We weren’t just surviving anymore — we were building. And not just for us, but for our legacy. That was the moment we realized how powerful faith + action really is. If we could do that, we could do anything.
How do you handle setbacks and keep pushing forward in the pursuit of your dreams?
Setbacks are guaranteed — we’ve had plenty. But we learned early that fear can’t ride shotgun. We pray, we re-strategize, and then we get back to it.
When deals fall through, when plans shift, when people doubt us — we lean on each other. We’ve got tunnel vision now. Our past made us tough. Our faith keeps us standing. And our kids remind us why we can’t quit.
Are there specific individuals who have inspired you along the journey?
Absolutely — our daughter inspired everything. Becoming young parents with no real guidance put us under a microscope. People questioned our parenting, our decisions, our grind. But instead of folding, we decided to prove that you can build a life, a business, and a legacy — and still raise amazing kids.
We’re also inspired by each other. We’re best friends, business partners, parents, and teammates. That love and understanding between us is unmatched. And yeah, basketball helps us keep the bond light too — we’re always competitive, always having fun. That balance keeps the passion alive.
How do you maintain a balance between pursuing your dreams and handling everyday responsibilities?
We learned to sacrifice for seasons and get disciplined about priorities. We block off time for family, time for business, time for rest.
We also delegate. I handle the calls, contracts, and backend; my husband tackles the builds, repairs, and visuals. We run our household like we run our business — with communication, routine, and love.
Some days it’s hard. But when you’ve got a vision, you make it work. We’ve made discipline a lifestyle, not just a hustle.
How do you overcome self-doubt and stay confident in your abilities?
Through the grace of the Lord. That’s the foundation. Every time doubt creeps in, we remind ourselves Who brought us this far. He hasn’t failed us yet.
And then, we turn to each other. We built our love on understanding and real friendship. We’re each other’s biggest fans, and we don’t let one another fall into fear.
When it gets heavy, we talk, we pray, we laugh — or we shoot some hoops to clear our heads.
Can you share a memorable success story or achievement that resulted from your determination?
One of our biggest wins was becoming landlords by accident. We had every intention of flipping a house — but last minute, I felt the Lord nudging me to try something different. I remembered rent-to-own was something I had studied, and that day, I took a leap. No more fear.
We wrote the contract ourselves, figured it all out, and closed our first creative finance deal. Now we’ve got passive income and lessons to teach others who feel like they’re not “ready.” That one choice opened up a whole new lane for us.
In what ways do you stay motivated during challenging times?
We stay grounded in our why — our kids, our future, our legacy. We’ve seen what struggle looks like. We’re not going back.
We motivate each other, lean on our faith, and remind ourselves where we came from. We didn’t get this far to only get this far. And when things get heavy, we look at our wins, reflect on our growth, and keep going. Quitting’s not even an option.
What dream are you living right now?
We’re living our wildest dream: teaching others how to survive, build, and thrive.
I teach people how to grow their own food, repair credit, and start from zero. My husband teaches shelter-building, carpentry, and the real-life skills that can’t be Googled. Together, we’re helping families learn how to build wealth with their own hands — just like we did.
We’re no longer just surviving. We’re leading. We’re living proof that your past doesn’t define your future — your choices do.
What advice would you give to someone with a dream?
To all my dream chasers — especially my black sheep — this is for you.
My advice? Keep believing in yourself, no matter how loud the doubts around you get. Not everyone has the fire, and some people will try to dim yours just because they don't understand it or can't find their own.
There will be whispers, shade, negativity — low-vibrational energy trying to hold you back. Receive it. Don’t run from it — just don’t carry it. Let it fuel you. Let it remind you of why you’re different.
Because staying in the same circle too long, around the same mindsets, can slowly smother your flame.
So rise above. Keep your vision clear, your energy protected, and your heart lit with purpose. You weren’t meant to fit in — you were meant to shine. Keep going. We need your light.
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