We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Beverly Everett a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Beverly , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Almost every entrepreneur we know has considered donating a portion of their sales to an organization or cause – how did you make the decision of whether to donate? We’d love to hear the backstory if you’re open to sharing the details.

I have donated roughly 90% of my sales to the Central Dakota Humane Society. I believe in CDHS’ mission and my association with them is a bright spot in my life. Additionally, so far all of my books have been about dogs at CDHS.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Beverly Everett. I grew up in Waxahachie, TX and graduated from Baylor University and the University of Iowa with degrees in music. Professionally I am an organist, orchestra conductor and teacher. But one of my great passions is volunteering at the animal shelter in Mandan, ND. Central Dakota Humane Society is a no-kill shelter, located about 10 miles from where I live. I became connected with the shelter after meeting a dog at one of their events, Not long after that, I took the class and quickly became a “core” dog walker. From those experiences I decided to write a children’s book about some of the dogs. It gives them a voice they might not otherwise have. The success of that endeavor produced a second book and a third on the way. I give most of the proceeds back to CDHS. I live in Bismarck, ND with my partner, 1 dog and 1 cat. I am organist in residence at Corpus Christi Church; adjunct professor at the University of Mary; Music Director of the Bismarck Mandan Symphony Orchestra and Youth Orchestra and of the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra in MN. My 2 books, Hallway of Hope, and a Woof and a Promise, are both available off Amazon and at local events and locations.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In November of 2018, my partner and I were in Arizona celebrating Thanksgiving. The day after Thanksgiving we returned home and when we picked up our dog Miley from the babysitter, she could not walk. We knew she had failing kidneys but she had been doing so well. We took her to the vet immediately, and she died that same morning. Still reeling from this loss, I went in the following Tuesday for a routine mammogram, and within the next weeks, discovered that I had Stage 1 breast cancer. A tumor about the size of a walnut. Thus began a journey of surgeries and treatments, all while still trying to process the grief of losing Miley. At the time I am writing this article, I have almost 5 years cancer-free. I never take my health for granted. During my radiation treatment I trained for Grandmas Marathon, which I ran. I conducted concerts and rehearsals in great pain, and only missed one rehearsal in all of that journey. I could not have gotten through any of that without the huge support system and prayers of my family, friends and my church. And in many ways, Miley’s loss is what led me to the animal shelter where I volunteer.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

What drives my creative journey as a musician is people. I discovered long ago that I was a conductor who wanted to make a difference. My trajectory did not take me to the world’s largest podiums, but it has taken me places where what I do as a musician can truly feed a community. What drives my creative journey as an author is the dogs. I spend time with them every single day, and want the world to know who special they are, how adoptable and courageous they are.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.beverlyeverett.org