We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful April Burns. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with April below.
April, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
In 2018 I found myself staring at the hardest, scariest decision of my life. My marriage had fallen apart and I was left with a house to pay for, three kids to raise, a chronic illness to manage, and no income other than a small side hustle selling handmade soap. I wasn’t physically able to hold a typical 9-to-5, but I wanted to see what I was capable of. I wrestled with the decision for a few months, and finally decided I wanted to try taking my side hustle seriously, and go full-time. It was terrifying, but it felt very do or die. It was time to put some faith in my abilities, and in my product. I launched some social media accounts for my business and opened an Etsy shop. I started taking online courses about business and selling online. And it started to pay off! My sales creeped up and I was able to handle our basic needs. I’ve continued taking risks and increasing my knowledge and skills, and this “side-hustle” has blossomed into not only a business, but a community care program that is so fulfilling. I now own my own website, participate in local events and farmers markets, and run The Sage & Prim Mobile Soap Station where I provide soap and other health, hygiene, and safety products to my community free of charge. I never could have imagined where these last few years would take me, but I am thankful I decided to take that risk and believe in myself.
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
Several years ago my sister, my grandmother, and I were making DIY soaps in grandma’s kitchen learning the old-fashioned techniques and how the old “lye soap” was made, and I fell in love with the process. I started making soap as gifts for family and friends and several people enjoyed them so much they suggested I try selling them! Over time I started selling them as a side hustle, and it snowballed into an Etsy shop, then my own website, and now into a community program where I provide soap and other hygiene and safety products to my community for free.
Today, my products are crafted with intention – meaning there is nothing done on accident. The ingredients are chosen with specific purposes in mind, like cultivating self love, spiritual cleansing, traditional associations, etc. and they help my customers bring focus to these intentions even in the smallest moment in their day – washing their hands. You can feel great knowing that we use the highest quality, ethically-sourced ingredients that are always vegan-friendly, and that we go the extra mile by using moon-charged water and crystal lined storage and curing racks to guarantee your items arrive to you in the best condition and at the highest vibration possible.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
When the pandemic hit in 2020, I was so scared of losing my business. I had only been open full time for about a year and a half and I was barely getting by. As I saw what was unfolding worldwide, people getting sick and needing hygiene supplies, I felt a calling to step up and provide what I could. My focus immediately shifted from “How do I make a sale?” to “How can I get soap to as many people as possible so they can be clean and hopefully not catch Covid?” With the help of an another small business owner, I was able to set up a small table full of soap for people to take for free. It was busier than I ever would have guessed and I quickly ran out of supplies. We decided to do the same every month, and people kept showing up with a need. But people also started showing up with donations! I have continued to set up what is now The Sage & Prim Mobile Soap Station every month. It’s now happening in 3 cities. And my business is also better than ever! What I thought was a pivot away from my business was actually a pivot into what my business was always meant to be. Not about profits- but about community and caring for one another unconditionally.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
I met Salem during an unrelated online charity event. We immediately clicked and became very close friends, sharing our day-to-day activities with each other from across the country. I learned he did photography, and asked if he’d be willing to shoot some product photos for me, and he agreed. The work was stunning and I hired him multiple times over several years to do photos for me. Eventually he started doing some admin work for me, and this year he moved from Florida to Illinois to work with me full-time, helping me run Mobile Stations, testing products, and doing website maintenance! He is such a blessing to me and I am so thankful we ran into each other!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sageandprim.com
- Instagram: @sageandprim
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/sageandprim
- Twitter: @sageandprim
Image Credits
Yokai Creative