Exploring Life & Business with Victoria Evigan of Elephant Heart

Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Evigan.

Hi Victoria, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Victoria Evigan, a 3rd generation LA native. I grew up in Arleta & Northridge, a deep valley kid. I met my husband at the Roxy 17 years ago & now we have two sons.

I was a Hair/MU artist for most of my life before switching gears to starting a non-profit and, most recently, starting a band with my husband called Elephant Heart.

I would have laughed if you told me I would be the lead singer of a band one day, playing shows like Coachella & Lollapalooza. But I’ve learned when God points me down a new path with an unexpected cliff, it’s always better when I JUMP! (lol, quoting my own lyric there)

I thought so would do Hair/MU forever it was my passion my art. But in 2014, my heart began to be pulled in different directions after falling in love with a group of kids we met from a small fishing village in the Philippines right after Super Typhoon Yolanda. After retuning him, I knew I wanted to do more with my time. I desperately wanted to mentor these kids. I saw that they so many of them did not have the resources or confidence to pursue their dreams.

So with no clue how I started a snail mail penpal program with the kids there with families all over the US. I knew that the experience had the potential to have a lasting impact on everyone involved. That was nine years ago!

After getting to know the community and their needs we have developed a financial sponsorship program that supports 75 students, bought a Picture This school boat, and we’re currently building a house made from eco-bricks that we collected during the pandemic. This program gave a job to those struggling to feed their families while simultaneously cleaning up the ocean from plastic trash.

So that’s little but if some of what I do, I have my hands in many pots, but currently my favorite endeavor is being a momma to 8-week-old Jude & 2-year-old Jasper. I’ve exited my 4th trimester and now I’m gearing up for a handful of festival shows with Elephant Heart and continuing to pour my heart into my nonprofit, Picture This.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh man, where to begin, What is life is without struggles and obstacles? Many times I wanted to give up because it was all just so hard. I even had a friend tattoo the words “never give up” on my arm to help me remember.

I have the tendency to get down on myself and measure up my impact or lack thereof. What I learned over the years is good things take time to grow. As long as I’m watering and surrendering the outcome, slowly but surely I see how far I’ve come. It’s so easy in this day and age to compare ourselves with everyone’s highlight reel.

One major bump with the nonprofit is that I’ve never had a professional partner. I’ve always had super-loving friends and assistance that have tried their best to help me juggle this passion project. When packages would get lost in the mail & it would feel like I was starting over, it’s devastating. There’s so many moving parts to have a pen pal program flow properly. So I’ve learned 😉

At the end of the day, I’m only in control of my ripple. So I’m going to continue to keep growing. I’m a super creative being trying my best. I’m def ready for that person who’s the missing puzzle piece to help me on the practical side of Picture This.

As you know, we’re big fans of Elephant Heart. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Our band Elephant Heart is my newest endeavor. It’s more than just music for music’s sake. We made this music recharge our spirits, connect to God and all humanity. For me personally, since I’m the predominant lyricist, I wrote this music to free myself from depression & limiting beliefs and to step into a deeper calling. The fact that so many others connect with it as well is very special. It’s cool to know that even though the music might have a specific meaning to us, it can still transcend passed us. All of us humans are experiencing unique circumstances, but there’s a common denominator that connects us all.

With Elephant Heart we hope to open a little heaven portal, to unite, strip away ego and connect people on the things that truly matter.

I’m really excited to share our next album. After having two kids and navigating the ups and downs that parenthood brings, I feel we have made some pretty heart-exploding songs. The songs continue to be healing to us every time we listen, hopefully, it will do the same for others.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
My son Jasper because I’ve never experienced love so deep. I’ve heard it said becoming a parent is truly the only way to remotely begin to Imagin what God’s love for us is like.

I have found this to be true. I love my son more than anything. I have more grace and patience with him than any other person in my life. I only want good things for him, and I’m trying to guide him from pain and suffering all while still allowing him to be his own person and make choices. Sounds a lot like the God I have come to know.

I never thought I would enjoy being a mom so much. I put it off so long, literally thinking that my life would be over once I had kids. I was so misinformed, so clueless. Being a mom is the best thing I’ve ever experienced in my lifetime. Honestly, there is no way to really explain it. It can’t be explained it must be experienced to fully grasp it.

Pricing:

• 40 per month, you can sponsor a student in our pen pal program

Contact Info:

• Website: Canyoupicturethis.org
• Instagram: @Elephant_heart
• Facebook: @elephantheartmusic
• Twitter: @elephant_heart
• Youtube: @elephantheart8590
• Other: @canupicturethis

Image Credits
Do LaB Fernando Ingles Stephanie Entin