We were lucky to catch up with Evan Carr recently and have shared our conversation below.

Evan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the story behind how you got your first job in field that you currently practice in.

I got my first job in marketing and communications in March 2012 a little while after graduating from USC Upstate and a couple of stints in finance and customer service. I actually interned in marketing and promotions at our local CBS and CW affiliates WSPA 7 and WYCW 62 and also did graphic design for the Carolinian newspaper at USC Upstate and blogged for the University Communications department. I also was somewhat a pioneer with video blogging and social media influencing (at least in Upstate, South Carolina) – my original YouTube channel has stayed online since April 2007, and I have always edited videos and been ahead of the curve when it came to being on and innovating on social media (have had Facebook since September 2006 and Twitter and LinkedIn since Fall 2008). At the time, I eventually wanted to go into a larger role in digital marketing and public relations or even go back into television and radio communications. I even originally planned to start a Livestream interview channel back in 2009-2010 (long before many others outside the entertainment industry started doing it). Since I worked at a smaller company starting in 2012, there were less hoops to jump through and red tape to break, and I landed my job three days after interviewing and a brief reference check. Although there were some challenges and struggles at times, I am glad I ended up where I did because I learned a lot about business as well as honed my craft, stayed a good four-and-a-half years and met some people who became like family and who I’m still friends with today.

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.

I’m Evan Carr, Lead Volunteer Coordinator with Spartanburg Shares Medical Loan Closet. I got into the nonprofit industry (with a largely marketing and public affairs-focus) after several years working in marketing for a local telecommunications company and serving at various nonprofits on boards and committees doing communications and public relations work. Our organization loans medical equipment to anyone living in Spartanburg County for up to 90 days on the condition of having photo identification proving their residence. This equipment includes items such as knee scooters, rollators (rollating walkers), elevated toilet seats and wheelchairs. We particularly help anyone with little to no income and inadequate healthcare insurance coverage plus those who only have a short-term need for the equipment. We are one of only a few loan closets across the country, one of three in the Carolinas and the only loan closet in South Carolina (there are also two in North Carolina – Hendersonville and Fayetteville). I am proud of the service we offer our community and how it impacts their daily lives. We are also in need of volunteers and donations, and are also open to new sponsorship and partnership opportunities. Please spread the word to your local news and other media organizations as well!

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

I would choose to do work like this in a heartbeat! It fits perfectly and aligns well with my values, vision and life’s purpose.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

I think it takes patience, humility and a big, kind heart to succeed in a nonprofit organization. I know it sounds cliched but it couldn’t be more true. A couple things I had to learn (and unlearn) regarding this is that things move slower oftentimes in the non-corporate world, and so there you have to have more patience. A lack of response does not always equal “no” but “wait”. Plus, as in the corporate world, government, education, healthcare or anywhere else, it is not wise to overpromise and underdeliver. That is especially true in the nonprofit where the budgets are smaller, things can move slower and there can be more bureaucracy. You especially have to be a people-person to lead (vs. solely a task-oriented person) because much of your success will come with relationships you build with your people as well as area companies and organizations (potential partners, donors, vendors and sponsors). You have to look at the big picture while still caring about the details. It is not cut-and-dried.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.spartanburgshares.org
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/cevancarr
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/spartanburgshares
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/spartanburg-shares
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/spartanburgs
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/@cevancarr
• Other: www.threads.com/@cevancarr www.threads.com/@yourecmedia

Image Credits
Headshot: Amber McDowell Photos around Spartanburg Shares/Spartanburg: Jane Bird and Vickie Witteveen