By: Samantha Thacker
A Journey from Law Enforcement to Philanthropy, Built on Giving It All Away
In a world where success is often measured by wealth accumulation, Michael Evans stands out as a rare exception. Evans, founder of USPA Nationwide Security, built one of the largest security firms in the United States only to give away the majority of his fortune. His life is a testament to the power of purpose over profit—a journey that began in law enforcement, led him to entrepreneurship, and culminated in philanthropy.
Early Life and Law Enforcement Beginnings
Evans’ story begins in the mid-1990s, during his time in law enforcement while attending Long Island University at Southampton. Working multiple jobs simultaneously—often in law enforcement or security—Evans quickly realized that his ambition outpaced the limitations imposed by his supervisors. “I was told to go out on patrol and find nobody committing a crime,” Evans recalls, “It didn’t make sense to me. Crime doesn’t stop just because it’s inconvenient.”
This disillusionment with the system was compounded by questionable advice from his superiors. On one occasion, a supervisor advised him to overlook drunk driving offenses. “I was told to count to ten and let the drunk driver go,” Evans says. His resolve to make a meaningful impact was born from these experiences. He began to view the private sector as a space where he could apply his skills without compromise.
Building a Security Empire
In 2005, Evans co-founded USPA Nationwide Security with his brother and a close friend. What began as a small security operation rapidly grew into a security powerhouse under Evans’ leadership. By 2008, just three years after its inception, USPA hit its first million-dollar growth milestone—a testament to Evans’ tenacity and vision.
However, Evans’ ambitions extended far beyond financial success. Deeply shaped by his childhood, Evans understood the need for protection, particularly for women. He described his father as a “monster,” whose violent tendencies inspired Evans to dedicate his life to protecting others. “I knew I had to create something that could make a difference,” Evans says.
Kingsman: The Birth of a Lifelong Mission
The culmination of that desire was Kingsman Philanthropic Corp., a nonprofit organization Evans founded to address the rising epidemic of human trafficking and child abduction. Kingsman quickly became a beacon of hope for vulnerable women and children, many of whom had been trafficked or kidnapped. Evans recruited elite specialists—former Army Rangers, Navy SEALs, and CIA operatives—to lead rescue missions across the globe.
Remarkably, up to a significant amount of USPA’s profits were funneled into Kingsman to fund these operations. “When I stopped worrying about what was in it for me,” Evans explains, “everything I ever wanted came true.” For Evans, his success wasn’t about the wealth he amassed but the lives he was able to save through Kingsman.
A Pandemic of Giving
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many businesses faced economic collapse, Evans remained committed to his philanthropic endeavors. USPA extended emergency financial support to single mothers, helping them survive the economic fallout of the pandemic. For Evans, this was not merely a charitable gesture but a core tenet of his life philosophy: business should be a force for good.
Evans never saw his wealth as something to be hoarded. Instead, he viewed it as a tool to be used for making a positive impact. “I grew up with a murderer and rapist for a father,” Evans recalls, “so when I had the opportunity to help women, I knew I couldn’t look the other way.”
The Power of Letting Go: A Lesson for Entrepreneurs
For Evans, the moment he started giving away his wealth was the moment his true success began. Some might call it the law of attraction, and while Evans has written extensively about the concept, he admits he doesn’t fully understand how it works. “All I know is that dedicating my life to this mission has been my life itself,” he says. “If I had focused on the money, I would have missed everything that really matters.”
Evans’ journey offers a profound lesson for new entrepreneurs: focus on the mission, not the money. His success was never defined by the amount in his bank account, but by the number of lives he touched.
Writing His Own Legacy
Evans’ work hasn’t gone unnoticed. He was recently featured in a widely discussed opinion piece that likened some of the runaway girls his organization rescues to the victims of Sean “Diddy” Combs, who has faced allegations of sexual misconduct. In the piece, Evans made a bold statement, highlighting the systemic exploitation of vulnerable women in society.
Evans, who has spent decades fighting to protect runaway girls from predators, remarked, “Predators like Combs are the same kind of men we’ve been fighting for years. They exploit these girls when no one else is paying attention.” His commitment to this cause remains steadfast, and Kingsman continues to work tirelessly to locate and rescue vulnerable girls before they become another tragic statistic.
A Future Rooted in Generosity
Although Evans officially retired in 2021, stepping down from his role as CEO of USPA Nationwide Security, his mission continued under the leadership of Daniel Manning, the company’s new CEO, and Brian Fitzgibbons, the Vice President. Together, they have pledged $1 million annually to locate missing children—an initiative Evans helped to launch before his departure.
Evans’ role today is more advisory, but his influence remains as strong as ever. He continues to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs to think beyond profit margins and focus on making a lasting, meaningful impact.
The Takeaway for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
The journey of Michael Evans is a compelling narrative for any entrepreneur starting out. It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that success is tied to financial gain, but Evans’ life proves otherwise. His wealth, success, and fulfillment came not from hoarding resources but from giving them away.
For Evans, success was not about the number of zeros in his bank account but the number of lives he saved. His transition from entrepreneur to philanthropist wasn’t just a career choice—it was a life philosophy. “If you’re only in it for the money,” Evans says, “you’ll never find what you’re looking for.”
In a world that often glorifies personal gain, Michael Evans exemplifies what can be accomplished when your mission becomes your life’s purpose. His story serves as an inspiration, not only for what he achieved but for his remarkable decision to give it all away.
Published By: Aize Perez
