Losing a job can feel like losing your identity. For Everton Tulloch, it was a moment that tested his resilience, but also one that led him toward rediscovering his true gift.
After nearly 15 years at Coca-Cola, Everton had climbed the ladder from an entry-level merchandiser to director of sales, managing a team of 12. When corporate restructuring eliminated his role, he faced a painful reality. Interviews left him discouraged, hearing the same refrain over and over: “You’re overqualified.”
Four months passed. Normally the life of the party, Everton was struggling to smile. That’s when his wife stepped in, surprising him with tickets to the Steve Harvey Show.
Sitting in the very last row — the “nosebleed section” as Steve called it — Everton didn’t expect much. But during a commercial break, Harvey noticed him, walked over, and asked:
“What’s going on with you, young man? Do you want to ask me something?”
Everton’s question was raw:
“How do you stay motivated when you’ve been out of work?”
Steve’s advice was simple but life-changing:
“Sometimes God does that. He takes what you think is a blessing to give you a bigger blessing. Your gift is going to make room for you.”
Then came the defining question:
“What’s your gift?”
Everton’s quiet but certain reply: “I’m pretty good in the kitchen.”
From Grandma’s Kitchen to Culinary School
That gift wasn’t new. As a child, Everton spent hours in the kitchen with his grandmother, soaking in her wisdom and discovering joy in food. Cooking was always part of his DNA — but now it became his future.
Encouraged by that pivotal moment, Everton enrolled at the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) in 2019. He completed his externship at Hollywood’s Beauty & Essex, quickly mastering every station in the kitchen and training new hires. In 2020, he graduated and began shaping his dream: his Jamaican food truck, Jamroq Kitchen.
Like many businesses, Jamroq faced challenges during COVID and had to temporarily close in 2022. But Everton’s journey proves that thriving isn’t about never falling — it’s about rediscovering your Purpose, Power, and Potential every time you rise again.
The Thriving Zone in Action
Everton’s story reflects what I call the Thriving Zone — the alignment of:
- Purpose: His love for cooking, seeded in his grandmother’s kitchen.
- Power: His leadership and resilience honed in corporate life and sharpened in the culinary world.
- Potential: A future still unfolding, one bold pivot at a time.
Why This Story Matters
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How do I stay motivated when I’ve been out of work?” — Everton’s story holds the answer. Thriving isn’t about holding onto what was lost. It’s about stepping into your gift, again and again, no matter how many times life shifts.
👉 Reflection for you: If Steve Harvey asked you right now, “What’s your gift?” — what would you say?