The inspiration for creating The Elevator Project was the culmination of the experiences Sejal Makheja had when she and her family went to a soup kitchen in Washington, D.C. Makheja met a man named Juan who shared the immense struggles of living in poverty that he had experienced his entire life. He shared that the reason he was unable to get a full-time, well-waging job opportunity was because employers refused to hire those with minimal education and minimal skill attainment.

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Sejal and her family helped Juan get the training he needed; a shadowing opportunity with a local electrician and classes in construction management. After completing his vocational training course and receiving a certification of completion, Juan was able to secure a full time job with a management company that was going to pay him enough to - for the first time in his life - come out of poverty. Sejal's theory had worked.

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It was with this life changing experience that Makheja worked to craft several programs that would serve as the catalyst of The Elevator Project's core focus and structure. When it came time to name her organization, Sejal took inspiration from the quote, "If you're lucky enough to do well, it is your responsibility to send the elevator back down."