Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to April Ann Pearson . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
April Ann, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
Risk… Man, do I ever know about taking risks. I’ve done it in every part of my life. Maybe it’s due to my entrepreneur creative spirit that causes me to be more of one to throw caution to the wind. Jumping head first into all things when it speaks to my spirit. As I type this, I have to be honest about my risk taking life. My business partner and I just currently decided to shut down the our company, Shash Lifestyle. I’m sad, we worked so hard at trying to make it work in an industry that wasn’t willing to try new things as in being open minded and fashion forward. Sometimes it’s just looking at the outcome as “We tried our hardest, we gave it our all” but you have to know when it’s time to call it a day and move forward. It’s not the end of my fashion design career, I look at it as the beginning of something new. I’m taking the knowledge and experience, I will place it into something else. Keep in mind all of this is happening as I’m going through a divorce. I am guilty of throwing caution to the wind when it comes to my love life. Once again, I took a big risk, I eloped in Paris ten years ago, fast forward to now, I’m once again saying “I tried my hardest, I gave it my all” but it’s time to call it a day and close that chapter. I look at it as I learned from it, I experienced some really low lows and realized just how strong I am. I pushed through a lot of dark days. I survived. Between shutting down Shash and facing a broken marriage, I can say from the bottom of my heart, its worth every high and every low. I don’t regret any of the risks I’ve taken in my personal or business life. I’ve learned I’m stubborn, I’ve learned to fight for myself and my daughter when everything was stacked against us. Hold onto the people that love you and don’t let anything steal your creative spirit. Keep taking RISKS. Things will go wrong, life hurts but I promise, if I can keep going, so can you.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I am a designer to the very first luxury concealed carry handbag, Shash Lifestyle. That’s not all I am, I’m a dress designer, a personal stylist, wardrobe stylist and personal shopper. But my greatest accomplishment is being a mother to an amazing daughter. That’s what I’m most proud of in life. During this past turbulent year, she has taught me so much. I love seeing how strong she is and how fierce she loves those that she cares about. I am so proud to be her mother.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Well, if you read the beginning of this interview, it gives a pretty good picture of just how resilient I am in my personal and business life. But I have to admit, resilience comes from within you and can be contributed by those that you surround yourself with….you can’t do it by yourself when you are feeling your lowest. My friends and family have been my Resilient Angels. Make sure you have people around you that lift you up. That are willing to be in the emotional trenches when you when you don’t have the mental power to believe in yourself.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Once again I circle back to what I’m currently going through. Between my company closing and a broken marriage, it’s easy to look at it both as failure. But believe me, it’s not a failure if you came out of it with knowledge, growth, experience…it’s not the end, it’s only the beginning. I will continue to pursue my dreams, follow my entrepreneur creative spirit and I’m ready to fall in love again. Yes, chapters closed but it’s an opportunity to hit the restart button on life, dust off your doubts and jump back into what you are passionate about. Unlearn Failure…Don’t let anyone tell you that you have failed.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.shashlifestyle.com
- Instagram: Shashlifestyle
Image Credits
My favorite Houston based Photographer: Twolees Photography Magazine by Vegas2LA and Barcelona Enterprises Handpainted Shash Bags by Create with Rae