What turns an entrepreneur into a philanthropist? Is it success, timing, or something much earlier?
For Jaser “Jay” Zaabri, the answer appears to begin long before boardrooms and balance sheets. It starts with a childhood marked by bullying, an experience that would later shape not just how he built businesses, but why.
Zaabri, an American–Jordanian entrepreneur, founder, and the chairman of Evolve Holdings, has built a multi-industry career spanning construction, disaster restoration, recruiting, real estate management, hospitality investment, and professional training. Behind that expanding portfolio is a personal philosophy rooted in standing up to imbalance, something he says he first encountered growing up.
As a child, Zaabri was bullied, an experience he has described as formative. Then came a turning point. In his final year of high school, he grew to 6’2”. The physical change altered how others treated him, but it also sparked a deeper, more lasting decision.
He made it a principle to never again be in a position of being overpowered, and just as importantly, to never allow others to be. That mindset did not stay personal. It followed him into business.
Years later, when Zaabri entered the construction and insurance restoration industry, he says he recognized a similar dynamic playing out. Homeowners navigating complex insurance claims processes often faced delays, reduced payouts, or resistance from larger institutions. To him, it looked familiar.
“I was bullied as a kid. I grew to 6’2” my last year of high school, and I made a life goal out of principle to never get bullied again — and to never let anyone else get bullied either. When I got into this industry, I realized insurance companies are the biggest bullies in the room. They collect premiums to cover losses, but the moment catastrophe reserves get depleted they turn nasty on homeowners who did nothing wrong. I’ve always loved a good comeback story — Tom Brady, David vs. Goliath, Jon Snow. I always wanted to fight the good fight. That’s what this company is.”
Evolve Construction and Restoration, one of the core companies under Evolve Holdings, was built with that imbalance in mind, positioning itself as an advocate for property owners dealing with disaster recovery and insurance claims.
Before founding Evolve Holdings in 2022, Zaabri’s career moved across multiple sectors, often at speed.
He began in international business development and advisory roles, including work in 2010 on projects involving members of the Qatari royal family. From there, he shifted into the U.S. construction and restoration industry, founding and later divesting several companies between 2011 and 2018 under the Anderson Construction name. These firms specialized in property restoration and disaster recovery services.
During that same period, he held executive roles within related ventures, including Anderson International Group, serving both residential and commercial clients.
His work extended well beyond construction. From 2012 to 2016, Zaabri served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at XS Energy Drinks, where he was involved in international market expansion. While working there, he also participated in launching Perfect Water products. Around the same time, he co-founded GarbageMan, A Green Company, a waste management business that was later acquired by a larger operator.
In 2013, Zaabri became affiliated with MyPillow, Inc., serving in executive and board-level roles, reflecting his cross-industry involvement in consumer goods and other sectors.
When Zaabri launched Evolve Holdings, it was structured as a broad operating and investment group designed to span multiple sectors rather than focus on a single line of business.
The platform includes construction and restoration services through Evolve Construction and Restoration, as well as Evolve Fire and Restoration, which focuses on wildfire recovery and rebuilding. It also includes Evolve Property Management, overseeing residential rental properties, and Evolve Hospitality, which is engaged in hospitality-related investments.
Other parts of the platform include Evolve Recruiting, a talent placement firm, and Evolve University, an online education platform offering sales and professional development training. Evolve Data Analytics and Leads provides marketing analytics, call center management, and lead generation services.
Additional affiliated brands have included Anderson Construction, CalMaster Restoration, Master Plumber, WD Contractor Services, Rapid Restoration, and Full Serv. The group has also been associated with Gems Supply, a cannabis distribution business.
What separates Zaabri from many multi-industry entrepreneurs is how philanthropy is structured within his business operations.
Rather than treating giving as a separate initiative, he has integrated it directly into revenue streams. The philanthropic efforts of Zaabri and Evolve Holdings include contributions through the Evolve Foundation and Its4TheKids Foundation, with $2.5 million directed toward community programs and $50 per signed client contract donated to the Drums of Hope program.
To date, total community giving linked to these initiatives has reached approximately 2.5 million dollars.
The structure is intentional. For every signed client contract, 50 dollars is donated to the Drums of Hope food program.
So, the question becomes, what happens when business growth directly fuels charitable output?
In Zaabri’s case, it creates a feedback loop where expansion leads not just to increased revenue, but to increased impact.
Zaabri’s work has also extended beyond the United States. He has participated in negotiations involving infrastructure development and consumer brand expansion across North American and Middle Eastern markets, reflecting both his background and the international scope of his experience.
Still, the throughline of his story remains personal.
He often frames his approach through the lens of comeback stories, the idea that the underdog can win, that persistence can outlast advantage. It is a mindset influenced by both real-life figures and fictional narratives, and one that closely mirrors how he positions his companies and their mission.
So, what ultimately defines Zaabri? Is it the companies he has built, the industries he has moved through, or the millions directed toward charitable causes? Perhaps it is something simpler.
A response to early adversity, scaled over time into a business model and then extended outward into philanthropy. Because in Zaabri’s case, success is not just about building enterprises. It is about reshaping outcomes for people who might otherwise be left on the losing side of the equation.