Today we’d like to introduce you to Nate Evens.
Hi Nate, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey began in Special Education, where I spent years helping students discover their strengths and realize their potential. That work shaped my belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to find purpose and independence through meaningful employment.
In January 2020, while still teaching full-time, I founded My Path with a simple goal—to build a person-centered organization that helps individuals with disabilities and barriers to employment create sustainable, fulfilling careers. The driving force of starting My Path was seeing and hearing from former students and learning they were struggling to find and keep employment in their own. I knew these young adults were bot only capable of employment, but would also be valued and reliable employees, they just need a little extra support throughout the process and often, fell through the cracks of society.
By combining my background in education with a passion to help others, I developed an approach rooted in empathy, understanding, and accountability. Over time, MyPath grew from a one-person effort into a thriving organization with over sixty employees, serving clients across more than thirty counties and beyond Minnesota’s borders.
My journey has been about more than growth—it’s been about creating a culture where listening, compassion, and high expectations come together to change lives.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has been rewarding, but it hasn’t always been smooth. I started My Path while still teaching full-time, which meant many late nights, long weekends, and learning how to build a business from the ground up. i came from an education background and was not a business major in college. I had to teach myself many new things, like building a website, invoicing, accounting, hiring and many other things I had little to no experience with. Luckily, I had some great mentors and trusted individuals that I could ask questions to and get honest feedback and advice.
Balancing rapid growth with maintaining our person-centered values has required constant reflection and adaptability. There were moments early on when it felt overwhelming—managing operations, compliance, and client care all at once—but those challenges ultimately shaped the systems and culture we have today.
The pandemic also created significant uncertainty during our first year, forcing us to rethink how to deliver services safely and effectively. Yet, those obstacles pushed us to innovate, embrace flexibility, and strengthen our connection with both staff and clients.
Recently, there has also been much uncertainly around government funding for programs like ours that partner with the state and Vocational Rehabilitation Services. We lost a number of clients at the start of 2025 as a result of funding issues with the state. This has been incredibly challenging and has lead to many difficult decisions to stay in business and not significantly downsize our staff. Like we tell our clients all the time, we focused on what was truly in our control and what was in the best interest for our clients.
We’ve been impressed with MY PATH: Coaching and Consulting, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
MyPath is a mission-driven organization dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities who face barriers to employment to find meaningful, sustainable work. We provide individualized employment services, including career exploration, post-secondary exploration and support, employment and independent living skills training, permit prep, cashier training, socials skills training, job placement, and job coaching—always guided by the belief that every person deserves the opportunity to build a career that aligns with their strengths, interests, and goals.
We work closely with the state of Minnesota and hold a contract with Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) and the Department of Human Services (DHS). This is our primary referral source and when clients are referred from these entities, there is no cost to the client or their families.
What sets us apart is our deeply person-centered approach. While we share the same end goals as others in our industry, our processes, communication, and culture are intentionally designed to honor individuality. We listen—to our clients, their families, and our partners—and we adapt our supports to fit the person, not the other way around. That focus on empathy and understanding has helped us build lasting relationships and a strong reputation among referral sources, employers, and the people we serve.
We are known for combining compassion with accountability—balancing heart and structure in a way that produces measurable outcomes. Since launching in 2020, we’ve grown from one person to over sixty staff members, operating in more than thirty counties across Minnesota and even serving clients in other states and countries. We are also known for getting results, and ultimately, assisting our clients in accomplishing their goals.
Brand-wise, I am most proud that My Path represents possibility. It’s not just a name—it’s a promise. Every day, we help people discover their path forward, and we strive to make that path more accessible, inclusive, and empowering for everyone.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I guess I look at luck, both good and bad, as an extension of fate or what is meant to be. This is the genesis of the name “My Path.” Too often, people find themselves feeling stuck—unsure of which direction to go in life or in their careers. It can feel like standing in a wide-open field with no clear path to follow. The endless possibilities bring anxiety, fear, and hesitation. And when faced with those feelings, many people stay where it feels safe and familiar, even if it limits their personal growth.
That’s where My Path comes in. It has always been my belief that if you identify and create a path forward, the journey, the experiences and the people you meet along the way will ultimately lead you to where you are meant to be. Yes, there will be bumps in the road, but every challenge is an opportunity to learn. And no one walks this path alone. From the very first step to the moment goals are achieved, each person has the consistent support of a dedicated coach, guiding and cheering them on.
This belief is also an extension of my own journey. I became interested in working with individuals with disabilities while in high school. I recall talking to my Dad about this and he said, if there is interes, test it out and make sure it is the right path forward. That is exactly what I did! I was a TA in a special education room at my high school and found a job at an after school program and summer program for individuals with disabilities aged 3-21. These experiences confirmed my interest in turning this into a career. I decided to purse a degree in special education while also having an intense interest in eventually starting my own business. I did not know what that business would be but I was confident I would find it eventually. Through my educational journey, starting my career as a high school teacher and then making a change to work in a 18-22 transition program, I was lead to starting My Path. I can look back at several instances, good and bad, that shaped my journey to where I am today.
Pricing:
- Funded options through VRS and DHS
- Private pay option which is highly flexible
- We are also starting a non-profit to give clients more options on how to access services
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mypathmn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypathmn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mypathmn
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/mypathmn
