Josh Evert, Elkhorn High School Class of 1996
Written by Ann Huddleston, Alumni Relations
Josh Evert and his wife Nikki became the owners of Big Dog’s Beverage on April 1, 2018. Josh graduated from Elkhorn High School in 1996. When asked what Elkhorn means to him, Josh notes: “Elkhorn is a great place to live and have a business. The community as a whole is a tight, friendly group of people that still remember the old little town. But a great place to raise a family.” When asked about his favorite teacher growing up, Josh reminisces, “Bill Kohl was my homeroom teacher and hated watermelon bubble gum but would play the banjo for us most mornings.” In high school, he played soccer and “started playing with the same guys from 5 years old through high school.”
Before taking over Big Dog’s Beverage, the couple got a feel for the business firsthand: “My wife and I worked in Big Dog’s for about 3 months prior to purchasing.” Josh was no stranger to retail. “My father started a Pawn Shop in Fremont in 1985,” he says. “I moved home in 2003 to work for my father.” That experience helped lay the groundwork for running their own shop—and staying closely connected to the people they serve.
Big Dog’s is quite active on Facebook and Instagram, sharing new products, deals, and customer highlights. Inventory at Big Dog’s isn’t chosen on a whim. “Customer input, social media, requests, and new products,” Josh says. “Social media is how we promote new products.”
Since taking over, Josh and Nikki have made the store their daily focus. “My wife and I work everyday at the store,” he says. The store’s “loyal customers and the personal relationships that we have developed,” that’s what makes him proudest, Josh noted. Like his days in the pawn world, the stories keep coming. “Kind of like the Pawn Biz, we hear great stories everyday,” he shares.
Owning a business while raising three kids isn’t always easy. “Sometimes it’s very hard due to all the hours that we put in,” Josh admits, “but you just have to adapt and teach your children when you work hard and are proud of what you do, life will have rewards and will just fall into place.” The biggest lesson he hopes to pass on to his kids? “Work hard.”
