Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur Spotlight: Evalyne Ward

Kingdom Driven Entrepreneurs are entrepreneurs of faith who don’t want to do “business as usual” and seek to truly impact lives and advance the Kingdom of God through their businesses. It’s our aim at KingdomDrivenEntrepreneur.com to equip you to build a thriving business that serves both your family and builds the Kingdom. To that end, we feel it’s important to inspire and connect the Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur community which is why we do this member spotlight.

This week’s spotlight is on Evalyne Ward, President and CEO of Strategic Practice Management Consulting, LLC who serves as a consultant to private medical practices, helping them to identify and decrease their operational inefficiencies.

If you would like to be considered for a future spotlight, be sure to connect and engage with our Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur community on Facebook.

Tell us the basics: Where you’re from, where you live currently, your family, etc.

My name is Evalyne B. Ward. I currently live in La Plata Maryland with my husband, Derek. He has been a firefighter for 26 years. I have three sons Brandon, Christopher, and Derek II. My son Brandon is in the Army and married to Christie. They have a beautiful little girl, Kennedi Joi. My son Christopher is in the Air Force and married to Ashley. My son, Derek is home preparing for graduation in June.

Tell us about your business and how you serve your clients.

I am the President/CEO of Strategic Practice Management Consulting, LLC and I teach finance with the University of Phoenix. I started my consulting business in October 2009 as a result of a vision. That vision was to see private practices and non-profits do what they are passionate about while optimizing their revenues to make them more self sustaining. Strategic Practice Management Consulting is a consulting company that works with private for profit and non-profit medical practices to help them identify and decrease their operational inefficiencies. Additionally, I work collaboratively with them to improve their organizational culture and workflow.

Unlike most consulting companies, I not only observe current culture and make recommendations; I work to implement those recommendations for effectiveness. I also offer turnkey solutions to physicians who desire to go into private practice for themselves and staff development and training.

I am currently managing three private practices and one community health center. Each individual that I work with, whether it is the owner or person in authority, has a personal relationship with God. This is something that I know was ordained by the Holy Spirit and I am very excited about it. I have made a tremendous impact in the businesses for these individuals.

What are you currently working on, launching, or just generally excited about in your business?

Another thing that I am proud of is that I was recently asked by four different individuals to be their business coach. These requests came as a result of my transparency in sharing my spiritual journey in my business. This year, I will be launching my business coaching services. However, I will not charge for these services because I feel that my relationship with God has opened this door for a reason other than to generate a profit. I have the gift of ministry and exaltation. I use my gift of ministry in my business because I am passionate about serving others. I am a transformational leader with servant leader tendencies. However, the business coaching allows me to serve and use my gift of exaltation. I love to educate and lift others up.

What does it mean to you personally to be a Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur, and how are you “walking that out” in your business endeavors?

When I initially saw the Facebook page for Kingdom Driven Entrepreneurs I was excited. I often share that the Holy Spirit is my business coach. My efforts in business are directed and guided by conversations with the Holy Spirit. Each year I write my vision and I make it plan on paper (Habakkuk 2:2). My personal vision statement is “to do work that matters with a spirit and attitude of excellence, while maintaining integrity and humility.” I told God early in my business that I would do all things with a spirit of excellence. That means delivering a stellar product and on time. Daily, I give God the praise and glory for my victories big or small. I lead by example and I try to demonstrate my Christ-like attributes in business and the work environment in word and in action.

What are 1 or 2 of your favorite scriptures that inspire you?

I have several scriptures that I live by, narrowing them down to one or two is really hard, but I will try.

Proverbs 18:16 – “A man’s gift makes room for him. And brings him before great men.”

Jeremiah 29:11 – 12 – “For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”

Proverbs 18:16 – “A man’s gift makes room for him. And brings him before great men.”

What are 3 books that have inspired you or helped you with your business?

I am an avid reader. I am currently finishing my doctoral journey. I am passionate about leadership, so I will read anything with regards to leadership. I will try to narrow my reading list down to three. The Bible is the first book that has inspired me in business and in life. Some other books are Good to Great by Jim Collins, 10 Spiritual Principles for Highly Successful Women by Victoria Lowe, and the Entreleadership by Dave Ramsey. This is not an exhaustive list but a few that I use as references often.

How can your fellow Kingdom Driven Entrepreneurs help you?

My fellow Kingdom Driven Entrepreneurs can help me by praying for me. The prayers of the righteous availeth much. I believe in that. The Bible also tells us to delight ourselves in wise counsel. Keep sharing in the Kingdom Driven Entrepreneurs forum.

What else would you like to tell us?

I would like to let anyone reading this know that if you are challenged right now, trust God. Make sure you are walking the path that He has ordained for you. If you are, rest assured that joy does come in the morning. I never imagined that in June of 2010, I would lose my job. I was stunned and completely in an unfamiliar place. Through prayer and many conversations with the Holy Spirit, I realized that God had me in this unfamiliar place. Two years later, I am stronger and working in my business totally equipped for the challenges and prepared to embrace the successes.