Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Evans.
Hi Morgan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Growing up, I was always drawn to expressing myself through art and creating. Whether it was watercolor, drawing, makeup; yes, I had a YouTube channel where I posted makeup tutorials when I was about 10, or, of course, baking, I’ve always found so much joy in making things with my hands.
For a long time, though, I struggled with finding my purpose and figuring out what I wanted to do with my life. I’m a wife to a firefighter and a mom to three beautiful girls, and being a stay-at-home mom is truly one of the greatest gifts I could have ever asked for. I’m incredibly grateful to have a husband who provides for our family so that I can raise our girls. That is, in so many ways, the dream I always wanted.
But around 27, I started to feel a little lost. I realized that somewhere along the way, I had lost a little bit of “Morgan.” Mom and wife are titles I will never get tired of carrying, but I wanted to rediscover my identity outside of those roles. I wanted something that fulfilled me creatively, something that filled my cup, and, as an added bonus, something that could contribute financially to our family.
So I took something I had always loved and turned it into The Elevated Batch.
Gift giving has always been my love language, so there’s something really special about being able to create something that becomes part of someone else’s celebration. Whether it’s a birthday, a wedding, a thank-you, a milestone, or simply someone wanting to make another person feel loved, it means so much to me that they choose something I created to be a part of that moment. I don’t think that feeling will ever get old.
There’s another part of my story that has shaped me in a really significant way. When I was a senior in high school, my mom was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. I struggled with a lot of depression and anxiety surrounding that, and ultimately I left high school to help care for my mom and my five-year-old sister at the time.
For a long time, I carried a lot of shame and guilt around not finishing high school. I felt like I had failed somehow. But looking back now, I wouldn’t change the decision I made. I made the choice I felt I needed to make for my family at the time, and I’m proud of that.
I didn’t finish high school. I didn’t go to college. And yet, here I am at 28, married to the love of my life, raising three healthy girls, building a business I genuinely love, and finally feeling like I’ve found a piece of myself again.
I think that’s something I really want people to take away from my story: you get to control the narrative of your life. Your path doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s, and the things you may once have considered failures can become some of the most defining parts of your story.
You will find what you love. You will find your purpose. And when you genuinely love what you’re creating, the success has a way of following.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Honestly, I think so! I’d say it has been fairly smooth, and I think a big part of that is because I haven’t put pressure on myself. I haven’t set numerical goals for followers, money earned, orders placed, or how active I need to be on social media. I really just do whatever feels right and whatever I have the mental capacity for, to be honest!
I try to measure success by how I’m feeling. Over the summer, I took July off to really soak in family time because I was feeling a little burnt out. I think it’s so important to listen to those cues so that this continues to be fun and stays something I genuinely love doing.
I’d say the only real “obstacle” has been juggling working from home while also keeping up with the chaos happening around me! But that chaos isn’t going anywhere, so I think this chapter is really about learning to adapt to it. Haha!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Elevated Batch is a small-batch artisan cookie business based in Virginia Beach. I specialize in taking classic, nostalgic flavors and giving them a little elevated twist. Everything is made from scratch in small batches with really high-quality ingredients, and I put a lot of thought into the flavors, presentation, and overall experience.
I think I’m probably best known for making cookies that feel a little more special than your everyday cookie. Whether it’s brown butter, Belgian chocolate, flaky sea salt, homemade fillings, or just a really thoughtful flavor combination, I want every cookie to feel indulgent and memorable.
What I’m most proud of, though, is that The Elevated Batch has become so much more than just selling cookies. I started this business as a way to create something that was mine outside of being a mom and a wife, and it has grown into this really wonderful little community. Getting to see people order cookies for birthdays, celebrations, gifts, holidays, or just because they wanted something good has been incredibly rewarding.
I think what sets me apart is that I don’t want to just make a good cookie. I want the entire experience to feel special. From the flavor and packaging to the names and little details, I’m very intentional about creating something that people remember. I think there’s something really beautiful about taking something as simple as a cookie and turning it into an experience.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I honestly think networking happens most naturally when you’re genuinely interested in people and what they’re doing. I haven’t necessarily gone out looking for a formal mentor, but I’ve found that putting myself out there, talking to other small business owners, collaborating with people in my community, and simply being willing to introduce myself has opened a lot of doors.
I think social media has also been huge for me. Some of the people I’ve connected with started as complete strangers on Instagram, and over time those conversations have turned into friendships, collaborations, referrals, and really meaningful relationships.
My biggest piece of advice would be to not be afraid to reach out. The worst someone can say is no, and you never know where one conversation can lead. I also think it’s important to approach networking with the mindset of “What can I bring to this relationship?” rather than only thinking about what you can get from it.
And honestly, I’m still figuring it out! I don’t think you need to have a huge network or a formal mentor to benefit from the people around you. Sometimes it’s just about finding your people, being genuine, and staying open to opportunities as they come.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: TheElevatedBatch
