We were lucky to catch up with April Cofie recently and have shared our conversation below.

April, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

I found myself having a tantrum and yelling because I was sick and tired of doing things alone. I immediately decided I wanted to remarry. My next thought was. You’ve been single for over 30 years. You need to learn about dating in this century.

I learned about compatibility, vetting, and how to convey your standards. I studied successful dating by researching, reading books and articles, and chatting with interracial couples. I suddenly realized. If divorced women knew what I had just learned, they would get back into the dating game and connect with their forever partner.

This ignited my desire to become a certified dating coach. After acquiring the Dating Coach certification, my next step was testing the various dating skills I acquired. I also mastered online dating! I remembered the best dating experience I had was the first time I dated outside my culture. There was a long list of experiences that were exciting and different from what I was familiar with. These thoughts led me to focus on interracial relationships and what makes them successful. After that, the decision was made to take things up another level and secure a matchmaking certification. With all of these powerful skills and knowledge, I knew I could make a difference in this world!

The mission I have chosen to accept is to assist 10,000 women in connecting with and marrying their forever partners by crossing cultural lines.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My career in the relationship industry began due to my desire to remarry outside my culture. Over the years, I have found that many people are open to an interracial relationship; however, they have many erroneous ideas and myths about people from other cultures. These myths are what is holding them back from connecting with people who are truly compatible with them in education, lifestyle, and finances. The compatibility that leads to AuthentiQ LOVE.

The thing that makes me different is. Unlike other matchmakers or love coaches, I do not avoid hard topics, nor allow my clients to develop limiting mindsets. I openly discuss race and cultural differences. I bring to their attention the many characteristics my clients possess that make them desirable to people outside their culture. Before introducing a potential match, I spend time with my clients ensuring they are aware of various cultural relationship requirements particularly as they relate to religion. We are quite serious at AuthentiQ LOVE about connecting you with your forever partner; not just making matches!

In the AuthentiQ LOVE Academy, you will find several courses designed to help you elevate your dating experience. Many of the courses are accompanied by my book “What Your Mama Didn’t Tell You About Dating”.

REMEMBER: You can have the man/woman of your dreams regardless of your age, size, or skin color!

There are a few things I am quite proud of. My first match was between an African American woman and an Armenian/African American man. Second, my VIP services include having your wardrobe, makeup, and photos slayed by team members who have worked with many well-known celebrities. You see, at AuthentiQ LOVE we provide you with the solid support you have been looking for.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Pivot In Life

I decided I was not only going to remarry but, I was going to be a self-employed dating coach and make hundreds of thousands of dollars. I was very excited to get this new career going. A few months later I hit a bale of hay on the interstate that had fallen from a truck. My car suffered a big fat hole in the front fender. The following month a young man crossed 4 lanes of traffic, including the turn lane, and plowed right into me. I regained consciousness in my car to learn I had a broken hip. I spent 6 weeks under doctor’s care which included surgery, a hospital stay, and 2 rehab facilities. Upon leaving the second rehab, I could not walk up one step. So, I lived in a 1st-floor office until a first-floor apartment was secured for me.

When your hip is not working properly, nothing below the hip works correctly. At this point, the only way I could walk was with the assistance of a walker. It was impossible to stand up straight. Then my daughter got sick and could no longer assist me. Covid hit. The next surprise was the diagnosis of 2 huge bulges on my leg. They were the manifestation of an incurable disease called Lymphedema. Suddenly, I had 2 therapists, a physical therapist and a Lymphedema massage therapist. Wearing dresses and skirts came to a sudden halt. I became very confident in wearing capri biker pants in public, even to church.

For a year my thoughts were consumed with figuring out how to survive as a disabled person during Covid. When I thought about eating and cooking, I was afraid I would fall into the stove. So, I learned to order groceries from Walmart. But I would only order things I could put in the microwave. How was I going to take a shower? No home health services were provided. The Lymphedema therapist showed me how to get in the tub and shower safely. At one point I was spending $90/week on Uber to go to therapy. I was finally advised my hip had healed although it had arthritis. I was then given permission to drive and secure a handicapped tag for my windshield. However, I was still walking with the walker.

I finally wrapped my brain around no longer would I be standing and walking while teaching about dating. I began to focus more on my company and gained a strong social media presence.

Here I am 7 therapists and 4 years later. The newest development is my kneecap is on the side of my knee instead of the front of the knee. The dream of walking without the walker has manifested. I am walking 2 or more flights of stairs daily in addition to running a little. This week I prepared my first full-course meal since the car wreck. My chiropractor and therapist are working diligently to assist me in gaining that last 4 inches I need to stand up straight and walk long distances without the walker or a cane. Now, I am a certified matchmaker in addition to being a certified dating coach.

I never got mad at the young man who hit me. I was too determined to walk again without that walker!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

After investing thousands of dollars in coaches and courses not acquiring my desired results, I was angry, frustrated, and did not know what to do next. Also, the funds I had to cover the startup costs were gone! I had been faithful to posting videos and static posts on FaceBook. Facebook ads were circulated. I invested over $1500 in a course to suddenly realized the teacher was against interracial relationships. A rather expensive coaching course I took, the information was great; however, the instructor did not educate us on the business side of coaching.
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On Clubhouse I saw a room offering personalized business coaching to struggling entrepreneurs if you would come on stage and share your challenges. So, I was brought to the stage. I shared my struggles. Then many of the ladies on stage started giving me the same information that was not working for me. When I checked my back channel, there were 2 messages. One said “private number. Don’t share with anyone.” I dialed the private number.

I connected with a woman who first, helped me iron out things in my mind. There was trauma from several events related to my car wreck and broken hip. I thought I was just fine. I was not angry. Then there was residue from childhood mental abuse. This was suppressing my confidence. We changed the name of my company and adjusted the branding. I stopped marketing on Facebook. Increased my appearances on Clubhouse as a moderator and club owner. We hit Instagram hard with weekly lives and reels. My My My This was a painful restart from scratch.

Due to trusting a successful leader, being ok with making changes and starting over for the third time, then sticking to the plan, my business is on a fierce upward climb.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authentiqloveacademy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085717639680
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apriltheloveologist/
• Email: [email protected]