We recently connected with April Richie and have shared our conversation below.
Hi April, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
All my life I’ve wanted to inspire others. As far as I can remember. I loved to write. meaningful poems and stories. As a child it was always easy for me to keep myself busy and entertained. By writing stories and drawing stick people pictures of the characters and other fixtures in my story. I remember acting out scenes I’d created. Me and my cousin would watch movies and re-enact and perform them at our family functions. As I grew older, I had lots of friends and I was always the peace maker of the bunch. I always wanted to do something that motivated and helped people. Something that made them smile. I’ve always gotten along with people well and had a lot of compassion for others. However I didn’t know early on, that these attributes were part of my purpose. In fact, although in my late twenties, I joined a club with a phenomenal group of women on a mission to make a difference in the lives of others. However, the club dismantled and although it was short lived, it still left a positive impression along with a thought that manifested inside me. “What is my purpose?”. When I turned thirty years old, my whole thought process changed. The what is my purpose had truly manifested in me and I was on a mission to find out. I knew it was to make a difference in the lives of others but I did not know how. Ultimately I placed my trust in God to lead me to my purpose and to place me exactly where I needed to be. Today I am A Bestselling Author, An aspiring Screenwriter, Entrepreneur (Bossy Travel Plans , Bossy Tours) and Founder/President of The Rubies Are For Real Alzheimer/Dementia Non Profit Charitable Organization. What is my purpose? My purpose is to inspire.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a native of Compton, California. Although I have worked in the transportation industry for many years. My true passion is writing. When I write a sense of calmness and peace comes over me. I write effortlessly. This is truly a gift that I have been blessed with and I take great pride in using it. In every book and screenplay that I write. I promise to inspire. What I find most exciting about writing is the ability to share my personal experiences to help others. The ability to create and tell fictional stories based on my own creativity as well as what I’ve seen or experienced while growing up in an urban community. I am presently working on books that will become bestsellers and film scripts that will one day grace the screens of televisions and theaters across America. I’m currently finalizing a few film treatments. As well as completing my latest book, called “Aftershocks” which is set to launch in January 2024. Aftershocks is about the affects of incarceration on families and the challenges they face. It is heartfelt and filled with not only inspirational and educational content but also personal experiences and guidance. Although I am busy writing films and books. My mission to inspire does not stop there. 2024 will be a great year. I have already titled it “A year of creation”. My creations will become reality. In every aspect of my passions. Books, film, non-profit and something that will forever have a special place in my heart. Women empowerment. It is so important to me , to be an inspiration to others in anyway possible. To uplift and boost the confidence and self esteem of women who need it and to encourage those that do not to help those that do. My goal is to encourage women to maintain a high level of self esteem, self worth and confidence and to follow their dreams. In my effort to achieve this goal I will be launching my first women’s empowerment brunch in 2024. Stay tuned it’s going to be phenomenal. As you can see “2024” is going to be filled with creativity, inspiration and so much more. Lastly I am a proud mother of a wonderful , caring and loving son. Who is my heartbeat.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three qualities that stand out at this very moment. I would say would be my compassion, perseverance and confidence. These are just a few of the qualities and attributes needed to achieve goals. My experiences have had a great impact on my journey. Because I am a firm believer that everything you go through is for a reason. My advice is to use your own experiences to help develop and improve your journey. Keeping in mind that although some of your experiences may have not been your own, they may have been the experience of a family member or friend. However, the knowledge that you gained can be used to help not only yourself but others. Also research, learn as much as you can about what you would like to do. There are so many avenues that did not exist when I was much younger. Take advantage of them, utilize the internet, gain insight from social media platforms, etc. Place yourselves around like minded people. Long ago someone shared some very meaningful advice with me and I have continued to passed it on to as many as I possibly can. “If you surround yourself around ten successful people you will be the eleventh.” This has proven to be a great method towards the road to success.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
My first book called “Teach Them Their Worth”. It is about the importance of the father daughter relationship. Why was it so impactful. Because it reminded me of the grab bag full of wisdom my father left me. Like the importance of maintaining the highest level of self esteem and self worth. The importance of respect and compassion for others. To believe in myself and that I could achieve anything my heart desires. My father often told me. “Time is the one thing, you can never get back. He emphasized how it is important not to waste it. It has definitely become one of my life motto’s. Beauty is within the eye of the beholder is another one, I heard at an early age. My father always taught me beauty is from within and to never judge a book by it’s cover. Everybody has a story. I can go on and on but I will end with one of his favorite bible verses. Proverbs three verses five and six. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not onto your own understanding; In all your ways submit to him, and he will direct your paths straight. Through every adversity of my life, that I shared with my father, he would remind me of this powerful bible verse. It is one that I also share and use in my life today.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: therealaprilrichie
- Facebook: April Richie
- Linkedin: April L. Richie
Image Credits
Ask Believe Receive- Courtesy of Pinterest All other photos – Courtesy of April L.Richie
