April Sheris is a serial entrepreneur, author, creative visionary for young entrepreneurs. She is the CEO of Upland Avenue Productions and Upland Tea House –
April Sheris was featured in HuffPost, SHEEN Magazine, Kontrol magazine, DIG magazine, inRegister magazine, and numerous other media outlets for the publishing and business opportunities created for professionals across the country.
Hello, please briefly introduce yourself.
I’m April Sheris. I started in book publishing and fell in love with the industry. I was in a position to meet new creatives, work with them closely on bringing their dream to fruition, and watching the results of our labor play out at retailers. For nine years, I was excelling but was also burning the candle on both ends. At this time, I knew I needed to slow down and figure out how to realign my lifestyle so that it wouldn’t cause detriment to my health, peace of mind, and my business.
What are one-two words that best describe you?
Supportive and Communal
Tell us about your company and how it impacts the lives of others?
I truly believe that tea has the power to help us transcend the conscious mind and lead to healing the subconscious. It was through delving deep into tai chi methodology and the healing benefits Rooibos tea that inspired me to share its benefits with the world
What is your brand/business overall message to the world?
Peace, Love, and Good Vibes one sip at a time is our overall message. By having a cup of tea you can bring your body into serenity, calm your mind, and encourage reflection of your purpose. By sharing a cup of tea with someone, you now have two minds coming into balance and establishing a positive connection. We need more of that in the world.
What is most rewarding about your business?
Although we are still growing in numbers, I find that our thriving community of tea lovers is the most rewarding aspect. We actually schedule virtual events monthly to stay connected when our in real life events are scheduled too far out. The general support for those that may be new to tea practice and networking is truly a delight to see.
What were some challenges you faced in your business, and how did you overcome those challenges?
The biggest mistake I learned is not fully understanding the process to harvest, process, and care for my tea. It’s truly an honorable thing to witness – the craft to produce quality tea and tasting the difference on the side of the consumer. When I began, I over-steeped the leaves, didn’t conceal the tea properly after use, didn’t realize the type of pot or presses could yield a different flavor. After learning from some of the best in the field, I have much respect for the harvesters as well as the experience overall. Tea consumption is more than just an alternative to coffee. It’s a time-honored lifestyle for some cultures and a ritual in others.
How has your faith played a role in business?
It takes a strong commitment to a higher purpose to not lose yourself or your principals. In business. Most days I rely on my meditation practice to seek resolution and remembrance of my purpose. I begin with what I’m grateful for from the day: the things I have accomplished and even the tasks I wasn’t able to get too. I follow that up with prayer and then sit in silence as clarity and peace comes to me.
What is one piece of advice you can provide women of faith?
I have one: ‘slow down to catapult faster’. In life it seems we are so quick to set the trend or move the needle to be recognized that we often miss the details in the journey. When you slow down you give way to learn more as a business woman, build sustainable relationships, carve out a niche in your industry, and serve your community better. The sum of all these steps catapults you even further than rushing ever could.
Can you provide 1-2 lessons you’ve learned on your faith-driven journey so far as an entrepreneur?
If I could save someone a lot of time and start-up agony then I would say:
1.The key to success is consistency. So don’t think what you’re about to do is any easier than a 9 to 5.
2. We are all just trying to find our way. Don’t let anyone make you believe they have excelled at that. And as a bonus: No matter what happens, keep going anyway.
Is there anything else you would like to share with our audience?
Practice gratitude: Write down everything you’re grateful for at rising as well as everything you didn’t accomplish at the end of the day. We try but sometimes we don’t always achieve. And there’s nothing wrong with leaving something for the next day. So, acknowledge and be grateful for the things you did achieve at the end of each day.
And, find one thing to do for someone else. As cliché as it sounds, we are better internally and externally by finding someone to pour into. These two have changed my life significantly in unimaginable ways.
How can readers connect or contact you?
Thank you so much for speaking with me. This was so refreshing. I can be found at @AprilSheris on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Please consider subscribing for updates on our website: www.uplandteahouse.com. We plan retreats, mindfulness sessions, and brunches as a means to meet one another in real life and form a bond the world over. We hope to see some new faces in the future.
