Meet April Eldridge

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful April Eldridge. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with April below.

Hi April, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
In addressing where my resilience comes from, I reflect on the journey that has shaped my professional and personal growth. My resilience has been profoundly tested through challenging experiences, notably enduring five layoffs in just seven years. Each layoff, while initially disheartening, became a catalyst for self-discovery and adaptation. With every unexpected job loss, I found myself not just searching for a new role but seeking better, more fulfilling opportunities. This relentless pursuit of improvement and the ability to bounce back stronger after each setback laid the foundation of my resilience.

This resilience is not just about enduring tough times; it’s about how I’ve learned to navigate uncertainty, adapt to new circumstances, and remain optimistic about the future. It’s about the mindset that setbacks are not permanent and that every challenge is an opportunity for growth and learning. This approach has been instrumental in shaping my character and professional ethos.

When I decided to take control of my destiny by starting my own consulting business in August 2022, this inherent resilience transitioned seamlessly into the entrepreneurial realm. Running a business, especially one that involves guiding other small and medium-sized businesses, requires significant resilience. The business landscape is inherently unpredictable, and as a Fractional COO, I need to ride the waves of business dynamics, adapt strategies, and make decisions that can weather the highs and lows.

In this role, my resilience is tested almost daily. Whether navigating client challenges, adapting to market changes, or steering the business through uncertain times, my ability to remain steadfast, learn from each situation, and move forward confidently is a testament to the resilience I’ve cultivated over the years. This resilience is not just about enduring; it’s about thriving amidst challenges, embracing change, and continually striving for excellence in every facet of my professional life.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Over the past two decades, my operational excellence journey has been enriching and transformative. My professional path has been marked by roles that challenged and honed my skills, allowing me to cultivate a deep expertise in operational strategy and business management. This experience has shaped my career and instilled a profound understanding of the intricacies of business operations and the importance of adaptability and strategic foresight.

On a personal note, my journey has been anchored by my family. Married to my high school sweetheart, we have navigated the ups and downs of life together, raising two wonderful children in the heart of central North Carolina. This stable and loving home environment has been my foundation, providing me with the support and balance needed to pursue my professional ambitions.

Transitioning to entrepreneurship by founding my consulting business has been a pivotal chapter in my story. Although it’s been incredibly rewarding, it’s also been my most challenging endeavor. The shift from employee to business owner required a leap of faith and a commitment to adaptability and continuous learning. These challenges have tested my resilience and operational acumen, reinforcing the value of perseverance and strategic planning.

In my previous role as a keynote speaker for the Red Cross, I discovered a passion for sharing knowledge and inspiring others. This experience ignited a desire to return to the stage. I aim to share insights from my journey, the lessons learned from transitioning to entrepreneurship, and the principles of operational excellence that can empower businesses and individuals alike.

My business model is centered on supporting small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and up-and-coming entrepreneurs, helping them to achieve operational excellence and refine their strategies. By offering fractional COO services, I give these businesses the expertise they need to navigate operational challenges and drive growth. My approach is tailored, hands-on, and deeply invested in the success of my clients. Currently, I can welcome two new clients, an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on their journey toward operational efficiency and business success.

In sum, my story is one of resilience, growth, and a deep-seated belief in the power of strategic operations to transform businesses. My personal and professional experiences have intertwined to create a unique perspective that I bring to my clients, offering expertise and a partnership grounded in understanding and a shared commitment to excellence.

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?
Reflecting on my journey, the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that stand out as most impactful are resilience, strategic thinking, and emotional intelligence. Each has played a critical role in navigating my challenges and opportunities.

1. Resilience: The ability to bounce back from setbacks, learn from failures, and keep moving forward is invaluable. My personal journey of facing repeated layoffs and eventually starting my own business is a testament to resilience. It’s about maintaining a positive outlook, regardless of the circumstances, and seeing every challenge as an opportunity to grow and improve. For those early in their careers, developing resilience can be as simple as stepping out of your comfort zone, embracing failure as part of the learning process, and practicing persistence.

Advice: Cultivate a growth mindset. View challenges as opportunities to learn rather than insurmountable obstacles. When faced with failure, ask yourself what you can learn from the experience and how to apply those lessons.

2. Strategic Thinking: This skill has been crucial in navigating the complex decisions and challenges of employment and entrepreneurship. It involves understanding the broader business landscape, recognizing patterns, and making informed decisions that align with long-term objectives. Strategic thinking enables you to anticipate changes and adapt your approach, ensuring sustained success.

Advice: To develop strategic thinking, always look at the bigger picture. Practice setting long-term goals and creating step-by-step plans to achieve them. Engage with various knowledge sources to broaden your perspective and understand different business and innovation aspects.

3. Emotional Intelligence (EI): The ability to understand and manage your emotions and the emotions of others is pivotal, especially in leadership roles. EI has enabled me to build strong relationships, navigate office politics, lead teams effectively, and maintain client satisfaction. It’s about empathy, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills.

Advice: Enhance your emotional intelligence by practicing empathy, listening, and being mindful of your emotional responses. Seek feedback on your interactions and be willing to adjust your behavior to improve your relationships and communication.

For those early in their journey, focusing on these areas can provide a solid foundation for personal and professional growth. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to pivot in your career, cultivating resilience, strategic thinking, and emotional intelligence can empower you to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace and achieve long-term success.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
Based on my experience as a Fractional COO for SMBs, my ideal client possesses characteristics that align with the services I provide and foster a productive and mutually beneficial working relationship.

Here are the key characteristics that define an ideal client for me:

1. Openness to Change: An ideal client is open to new ideas and willing to implement changes that drive operational excellence. They understand that improvement requires adaptation and are ready to embrace new strategies and processes to enhance their business.

2. Commitment to Growth: My ideal client is ambitious and has a clear vision for growth. They are not just seeking short-term solutions but are invested in long-term success. This commitment to growth aligns with my role in helping them build scalable and sustainable business practices.

3. Collaborative Spirit: Collaboration is crucial. An ideal client values the partnership with a fractional COO, seeing it as a two-way street where open communication and mutual input drive success. They are ready to engage in constructive discussions and value the expertise I bring to their business.

4. Awareness of Their Needs: Clients who understand their strengths and weaknesses are ideal. They recognize where they need support and are willing to delegate these aspects to focus on their core competencies. This self-awareness facilitates a targeted approach to improving their operations.

5. Respect for Expertise: An ideal client respects the expertise and insights of a Fractional COO. They trust the recommendations and strategies provided, understanding that these are based on years of experience and knowledge in operational excellence.

6. Financial Stability: While financial stability might not be the first characteristic that comes to mind, it’s important. An ideal client has the financial resources to invest in their growth and operational improvements, ensuring that our strategies can be fully realized and sustained.

7. Agility and Responsiveness: In today’s fast-paced business environment, being agile and responsive is crucial. An ideal client can make quick decisions and is responsive to changes in the market or their business, allowing us to pivot strategies as needed effectively.

Clients with these characteristics are typically the most rewarding because they are poised to maximize the strategic guidance and operational improvements a Fractional COO can provide. They set the stage for a successful partnership and ensure that the engagement leads to tangible, lasting improvements in their business operations.

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