It’s the most wonderful day of my week 🎶🎶 ok enough of that dont mind me. It’s our first Savvy of the new year I’m just a tad enthusiastic. Let’s get started.
1. Good Morning Apryl thank you for being a part of the first Savvy in the new year!! Could u tell us a little about yourself and your business?
A: Apryl Dawn Designs is inspired by a fun, flirty,edgy gal with a spiritual side. Raw, yet refined, our collections are for the untamed and unapologetic. We believe in expressing our authenticity and wearing our heart on our sleeve.
2. Has jewelry design always been something your passionate about?
A: I haven’t always been passionate about jewelry on it’s own, but I’ve always been an accessory girl. I’d choose a pair of shoes and a new necklace over an outfit anyday, and I would also always get creative by altering clothing and jewelry to fit my specific style at the time. I started actually creating my own pieces when I was pregnant with my son in 2011, which came from my need to find affordable, yet edgy designs to match my personal style. The entire business actually started with my yoga students buying my pieces off my body when I wore them, and from there it became an actual business.
3. I notice first when shopping through your website that you truly have a piece for everyone. Can you tell us where you find inspiration for all your pieces?
A: I design 2 main collections per year for Fall and Spring, then 2 mini collections for Summer and Holiday. The design process actually starts about 4-5 months before the release. I start to look at inspiration online, and pieces for my personal style, and slowly start to “collect” pendants, beads and chains that I love and the design process starts in my mind. After those months of collecting and designing, I usually spend about a week doing the actual creation process (FYI, my fave times of the year). It’s the moment I get to sit in that really fires me up. My passion gets to come alive. I have many sides to me, so whether its spiritually inspired, mom inspired, or dress up inspired, I usually end up with pieces for all of my moods…. which generally ends up a collection of pieces that most women can connect with to some extent.
4. If somebody was “new” to Apryldawn.com and you had to summarize yourself and your collections in a few words what would you say?
A: I design for myself, so when describing my jewelry or collections, my go to would be “edgy”, “authentic” and “inspired”.
5. What does being a small business owner mean to you?
A: Ohhhh this is a loaded question! Being a small business owner means hard work, dedication, passion, drive and wearing multiple hats. It means being knocked down more then being lifted up, being told no more then yes, but still getting up after each setback. It means dusting yourself off, wiping the tears away, giving yourself one helluva pep talk and most importantly believing in yourself like no one else would.
6. What piece of advice would you give anyone wanting to start and build their own business?
A: If you’re not passionate about what you’re doing, don’t do it, you need that fire in your soul to keep going. Find what you are passionate about and put your all into it. Believe in the success that you can achieve, and be authentic behind everything you do.
7. I read in your instagram bio that you are not only a jewelry designer but also a yoga teacher and published writer. How do u find balance when juggling so many hats and having a family?
A: I’ve never been one to sit still! Jewelry is more then a full time job now, but I’ve always had hobbies that I love, writing and yoga being just a couple. I was a full time yoga instructor before transitioning full time into jewelry, and I’ve been a practitioner for 18 years, so I still love to teach a class or workshop when I have time 🙂 I also had the opportunity to write for a yoga magazine, a local yyc magazine, and helped co-author a childrens book on yoga (I am Fearless), and a book on being a mom entrepreneur. So when I find a little bit of space in my schedule, I fill it with what I love!
8. What is the worse piece of advice you’ve ever been given regarding business, life etc?
A: I honestly don’t think I’ve ever had bad advice from anyone that I can think of. The only bad advice and bad decisions I’ve made, have been my own doing. I’m too trusting of others, and that has led to some very time consuming mistakes and heartaches, but failing is a HUGE part of the entrepreneurial life, and all the fails are an opportunity to learn on the deepest levels.
9. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: In 5 years, I hope to be even more successful in whatever it is that’s making me happy, healthy and passionate.
10. In closing, Is there anything you would like to add?
A: My favorite quote has always been from Richard Branson- ” If someone offers you an amazing opportunity, but you are unsure if you can do it, say yes now and figure it out later” . I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said yes to something WAY over my head and experience that has lead me to a new level in my business.
That’s a wrap folks if you would love to check out Apryl’s work be sure to go to instagram @iamapryldawn or check out her website at http://www.apryldawn.com. I can’t put into words how much I have loved getting to know these business women and learn about their passions. I’ve learned immeasurable things these past weeks and am immensely inspired by each of them. Till next time
Love a thoroughly motivated and inspired Magnolia xx
Rustic Magnolia 