We caught up with the brilliant and insightful April Brown a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi April, thanks for joining 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.
I recently celebrated three years of entrepreneurship in March of this year. In March 2020, I decided to leave my full-time job. Although I did not have a plan, I decided to take a risk. I felt that it was time for me to step away for good. I needed to do this for me. So, I told them my last day was March 31, 2020. To my surprise, the pandemic hit, and my last day on the job was March 13, 2020. I sat at home for several months amid uncertainty, trying to figure out my next move. It wasn’t until I experienced a loss that something inside me woke up. There was this fire, a new passion, to answer the call. So, I decided to build my private practice. I placed this same private practice on my vision board in 2013 with a check signed for $100,000. As a 24-year-old woman, I had no idea what it meant or if I would open my practice. At the time, I had finished my bachelor’s degree and had just started my master’s program. I couldn’t see the road after finishing my master’s program, let alone how to get licensed or start a business. But somehow, I believed that I could do it. At the time, I did not know that God had planted a tiny seed inside me. Seven years later, in October 2020, I decided to build my practice and opened the doors on January 4, 2021. Even though I had no idea what I was doing and it was a huge learning curve, I figured it out. Today, it is an ongoing learning process, but I am determined to succeed. God had a plan for my life when I was lost, resistant, stagnant, and afraid. He showed me that one of my gifts is to free people from concern. I have the unique ability to heal and encourage people with my words. I look forward to continuing this journey and healing every person I can who hears my voice. Today, I continue to take risks. My gifts extend outside of the counseling profession, so I look forward to exploring and expanding into other areas of business and entrepreneurship.
April, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I identify as a Black woman and Christian. God is a big part of my identity and journey. I was born in 1988 to two 20-something-year-olds in Monterrey, CA. I am the oldest of 4 siblings. When I was three years old, my family moved to St. Helena Island, SC, to be closer to my father’s side of the family. When I was ten years old, my family relocated to the Atlanta area. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, exercising, reading, watching movies, spending time with my husband, and indulging in self-care. Honestly, the counseling profession just fell into my lap. I completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology and knew I had to continue. My institution awarded me a graduate assistantship, so I stayed. Shoutout to Fort Valley State University! I enrolled in the school counseling program, and my professional journey took off from there. In my private practice, I currently offer individual therapy and support groups. I help Black women overcome racial trauma, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. I also do some work around generational trauma and childhood emotional trauma. The two low lost support groups I offer help women heal from pregnancy loss and support those living with uterine fibroids. What sets me apart from others is my experience. Not only do I help my clients with my education and training, but my personal experience also equips me with the tools to support them on their journey. In addition to counseling services, I recently expanded my business to offer wellness coaching and consulting services. I am vegan, so I want to help individuals interested in transitioning to a plant-based diet. The secret to caring for ourselves is aligning the mind, body, and spirit and understanding that soul care equals self-care. I will discuss this further on my YouTube channel, so stay tuned. I am most proud of my commitment to doing God’s work. After everything I have been through, I am still here. I am here for a reason, and work still needs to be done. I want potential clients, followers, and subscribers to know I genuinely care about them. Your continued support encourages me to keep going. The power I have to change someone’s life is the best gift anyone could ask for. Thank you for your support!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One of the most important lessons I had to unlearn is that self-care is selfish. Often, Black women are taught to care selflessly for their families and community. When a Black woman decides to navigate away from these societal and familial expectations, others may view her as selfish. Let me give you a quick backstory. I got my first job at 15 years old. I worked as a hostess at a local restaurant. For me, getting a job meant that I could take care of my wants and needs for the first time. If I needed something, I would use the money I earned to get it. I quickly learned that prioritizing my needs and wellbeing was seen as selfish. I wasn’t allowed to say no or to put myself first. For a long time, I believed the message that I was selfish. As a child, I didn’t realize it then, but I was slowly breaking down strongholds that kept my family captive. I was emerging into a generational curse breaker. So, I did the opposite of what I was taught. I learned that taking care of others at the expense of your emotional wellbeing is never okay. Today, I ask myself. What do I need? How can I ensure my emotional safety and wellbeing? Saying no, helped me set emotional boundaries in all of my relationships. Remember that self-care is never selfish. I would choose myself over and over again. Finally, the point of the lesson is never let anyone make you feel guilty for prioritizing your needs. You matter, and it is okay to put yourself first.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy for growing my clientele is embracing my authenticity. Today, so many people are afraid to be themselves. Despite this, I am unapologetically me. I don’t aspire to be anyone else or do what everyone else does. I consider myself unique, genuine, down-to-earth, and fun. I bring this same energy into the therapy session with my clients. I keep it real with them, challenge them, laugh with them, and love them simultaneously. My philosophy in my practice is grounded in moving away from societal norms and expectations. I help my clients embrace who they truly are. I want them to feel comfortable in their skin. I realized that the work starts with me. I can’t ask people to do something I am afraid to do. So, being who I am has helped me rise to the occasion. Showing up as my best self is essential to helping my clients heal and move forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.trythewellnessroom.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessroomatl/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewellnessroomatl
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprildenisebrown/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoygZ-SuLFDIoiS3lMYNPzg
Image Credits
@shotbyattajunior