We caught up with the brilliant and insightful April Evans a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
April, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
My journey into event flow management has been quite the adventure! In my role as the Creative Arts Director at my church, I discovered the key to successful event flow during our Sunday worship services: maintaining order infused with creativity and energy to enhance freedom and authentic connection for our members and guests.
Creating my 8-course curriculum, “Women in Leadership: Navigating in a Man’s World,” and leading as the facilitator gave me invaluable hands-on experience. It taught me how to be the “architect of learning experiences,” allowing me to creatively and flexibly design pathways and frameworks to achieve customer-centric goals..
Additionally, my various corporate roles in project management and HR Operations have been crucial in honing my skills. Project management, in particular, helped me understand the importance of communication and collaboration with various stakeholders. It also refined my ability to streamline processes, handle unexpected challenges with calm and efficiency, and achieve repeatable, sustainable success.
Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process?
Looking back, I realize that taking myself seriously sooner would have made a big difference. Believing in my ability to excel and thrive would have led me to pursue opportunities earlier. Not shying away from my greatness could have sped up my growth.
What skills do you think were most essential?
In this space, these are non-negotiable skills for me: leadership, humility, communication, stress management, and creative strategy, and timing. To be clear, you can’t be afraid to take the lead, remember that it’s not about you but the vision of your client- this fosters great partnership, overcommunicate so that everyone “overstands, ” learn how to stay calm under pressure and managing stress effectively, stand on your creativity to think outside the box to solve problems, and master the art of timing to ensure a smooth event flow.
What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
The main obstacle blocking my path was none other than myself. Wrestling with self-doubt and made the journey challenging. Striking a balance between personal growth and business development was tough. But, the realization that “I am enough” and “I AM solving a problem for my customers” was a game-changer. Embracing this mindset, even on the toughest days, was the strength I needed to push forward.
Navigating personal growth while managing the chaos of event management demanded introspection and alignment. Learning to step aside and partner with God for personal healing and clarity is vital.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hello! I’m April, and I passionately believe that increased order and structure can transform chaos into captivating stories that forge authentic connections. As an Event Flow Maestro, I infuse increased order, energy, and creativity to elevate events and help them shine brightly from start to finish. I do this through my skills in event coordination, emceeing, and keynote speaking.
Have you ever had those moments—the ones where the vision is crystal clear in your mind, yet when it comes time to translate it onto paper or articulate it to others, chaos seems to take over. Ugh! I know what that’s like and I can help. I’ve learned to thrive in that chaos, mastering the art of “Conquering Chaos and Crafting Brilliance.” As your Event Flow Maestro at April C. Evans, Limited Company, I’m deeply passionate about crafting and supporting events that not only bring people together but also drive meaningful outcomes. Whether it’s taking the stage as an emcee, meticulously designing the run-of-show, or curating engaging conversations, I understand the critical role that event flow and creativity play in making an impact.
Event Flow Maestro? What’s that all about? I’m your go-to for all things event flow magic! I work closely with you to develop a clear framework for your event, also making strategic decisions to highlight what’s important and eliminate what’s not. As your partner, I enjoy being an extension of your style and voice to create a seamless, impactful event. In part, I’m a blend of creative coach, protector of your brand, conversation curator, speaker, and storyteller. Through the services I provide, I ensure your event reflects what you value most. These services include:
Event Coordination: Managing every detail to ensure your event runs smoothly and stays true to your vision.
Emcee Services: Bringing energy and cohesion to your event, making sure everything flows seamlessly.
Keynote Speaking: Delivering impactful messages that resonate with your audience.
My journey in event coordination and event flow magic began with diverse roles like Creative Arts Director at my church and various corporate positions in project management and HR operations. These experiences have been instrumental in shaping my approach to creating seamless and impactful events.
Looking back, there have been some truly proud moments in my journey. One standout experience has been leading the JuneteenthGVL Royal Gala in both 2022 (visionary and director) and 2023 (visionary and co-director) —a celebration of the end of slavery for African Americans that not only sold out its inaugural year but also saw significant growth in attendance the following year. It’s been an honor to first give birth to my own vision, execute it as the visionary, director, and event planner and coordinator! I’m wowed at how the community came together to elevate this important holiday. This year, I will be their emcee, which will be such a joy!
My vision is to truly capture the heart and essence of the brand of my clients and elevate their event with seamless flow, vibrant energy, and genuine connection, perfectly aligning with their culture and captivating their audience.
What sets me apart is in this space is that what I do is who I am. I don’t have an off and on button or a mask that I put on and take off. I’m aligned with my purpose and it shows in the way I treat and interact with everyone involved in making the event successful. Creating order is my thing because I understand the order begets freedom, while chaos holds freedom hostage. I have a knack for managing the logistical details, allowing my clients to enjoy their event as much as their guests. I connect the dots, ensuring every moment ties together beautifully, accommodating changes smoothly and injecting life..
Above all us, I’m proud of my ability to show up authentically as me. I am the secret sauce. I’m committed to delivering an elevated experience, helping my clients to shine while giving their event the spotlight it deserves.
What I want you to know about my brand?
When you choose to work with me, you’re not just getting a service; you’re getting a person. A person who truly cares, so if you want someone who is transactional, I’m not your person. Your vision—your “baby”—will be treated with the same dedication and passion as if it were my own. For me, it’s all about prioritizing people over the product and fostering genuine connections. Your vision is precious, and I’m committed to honoring that. This is why alignment and understanding your goals are so crucial to me. This way we can truly create something amazing together because we’re in this TOGETHER. It’s a WE thing and not a you or me thing. In essence my brand is built on relationships- getting in and lightening the loud by shouldering the responsibility in my areas of strength. In this relationship, I give my clients what they need and want: more time, less stress, and someone who believes in them and willing to do the work to see them be successful.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
Absolutely! The creative journey is unique and often misunderstood. As event coordinators, we wear many hats and push boundaries to bring visions to life. Non-creatives might struggle to understand the fluid nature of our work and personalities.
Creatives thrive on inspiration and support. We prioritize what truly matters to us and become unstoppable when we find our passion. However, our journey isn’t without challenges. Lack of sleep and unconventional routines can be tough, but our ability to adapt and meet any challenge is one of our strengths.
We don’t fit into neat categories. Don’t box us in. That stifles our creativity and makes us feel unsupported. Boundaries are fine, but not boxes. Instead, we balance contradictions effortlessly. We can be introverted and extroverted at the same time. I am this person and because of this, we are often misunderstood.
Our challenge is balancing different aspects of our lives. We manage the tension between family and work, non-creative tasks and creative pursuits, relaxation and focused creation, urgent and interesting. It’s a delicate balance, but it makes our work as event coordinators and creatives impactful. We bring our whole selves to each project, creating experiences that resonate deeply and leave lasting impressions.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Referrals have been the most effective strategy for growing my clientele. The strong partnerships and lasting relationships I’ve built with past clients have led to many recommendations. Satisfied clients trust my work and naturally spread the word, helping to expand my client base. Personal endorsements and word-of-mouth have been invaluable for my business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://aprilcevans.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eventflowmaestro/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eventflowmaestro
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilcevans/
Image Credits
Dshiflet Productions, Smithalee