Ladies Focus, Alignment and what matters most NOW! First!

UPCLOSE WITH APRILLE FRANKS

The most critical question you can ask yourself as you start and grow your business is, “What kind of life do I absolutely want?” If you don’t get clear on that fundamental question, you will create a business that is in deep contrast to your true desires. We had the opportunity to catch up with Aprille Franks, a master community builder, and launch strategist. She has a thriving community of over 18,000 engaged, elite, high-result entrepreneurs and works exclusively with women who want to build a brand that supports their most ambitious lifestyle goals. Aprille graced the cover of our Spring issue and is back for some real talk directed explicitly to women in business who are looking to do less to gain more, to make an impact, and yield income that makes a difference in their lives.

BWMB: What is important in life and business right now?

When I think about what is important for me when it comes to life and business, and I hope that this resonates with you, I had to ask myself what are the things that I want to do with my life? What are the things that feel good to me? What are the hopes and dreams that I have? What I’m saying is, girl, ask yourself what kind of life do you want? How do you want to feel? Where do you want to live? What do you want your children to experience? Maybe there are some things that you wanted as a child, but you didn’t get to experience. What are those places that you want to travel to? What organizations do you desire to donate to? What is it that you want to do for a family member or friend, and be clear about what you want your life to look like because it’s the most ambitious and ginormous thing you’ll ever consider. And then, think about how you are going to create a business that’s going to give you that. So, for me, I want time, flexibility. I want to jet set. I want to travel. I want to do things for my family. I want to become a real estate developer. How am I creating something in my "now" business that is advantageous to the point where reality becomes a true manifestation of those desires.

BWMB: Since we last spoke, things have evolved, and you have changed your mantra. Tell us more about that.

The grind culture - don’t stop until you can’t breathe, or sleep is expired and old. I don’t think it serves you. It certainly has not served the innards of me. So, for a period of time, grinding is a way of life, and that’s not how it should be. For me, what shifted is I’ve been doing less and gaining more, and that’s the message I want for women now. There’s a lot to be done in this online digital space, but I don’t need you to kill yourself trying to make it happen, or trying to keep up with the next person. There was a time when I was

consumed with the business, just really overworking 18 to 20 hours a day continuously going and going and going. While there were periods of that time, it served me, and it may serve you, and serve other women in business, it’s not sustainable.

BWMB: Why is being in alignment so important?

Just imagine that there was an umbilical cord between life and the business, and you wanted to maintain the attachment, right? Some things will come in that path that will be aligned and will keep you attached, and then some things can come in that path that will detach you, right? You have to have the discernment and the boundary to stay steadfast in the thing. For example, people come to me with all kinds of opportunities. Trust me, listen, I have been offered every damn thing to sell. The answer is always no. And, the reason why the answer is always no, it is not that I don’t want to keep my income options open, but because I’m called to do this work, I’m focused on this business. I’m building this brand. I already have three brands I’m involved in right now, and it would be out of alignment for me to suddenly start selling light bulbs.

Alignment makes me feel like I’m honoring why I am here. That I am honoring my clients. I am honoring my tribe and my community. I am honoring me. It can’t be about what other people want me to do. I have not gone live publicly outside of like a private Facebook group for clients for months. Why and how can I do that? Am I still making money? Yes, yes, yes, and yes! But really, how can I do that? Because I decided this is about building a business. I've done such a great job with that, and my momentum is so firm, and steadfast that I could literally not show up in that way, and make more money.

It’s not about you doing all the things. It’s about all things being done. So, the alignment is super key for me. And, I’m at a place in my life where if it’s not aligned the answer is just no, with love.

BWMB: What can ladies do to get in alignment?

To be honest with you, forget what everybody else is doing, and embrace all the things that you want to be, all the ways you want to feel, all the things you want to experience. Be honest in every area of your life. I look at life and business in a very holistic way. I want it all. I want to take a nap. I want to work. I want to serve. I want to feel sexy. I want to go to exotic places. I want to play with my granddaughter. I want to hug and squeeze my daughter. I want to have funny conversations with my mom. I want to French kiss my dude like we’re in high school. I want all of it! But to have all of it, we gotta be honest about if we even want all of it, instead of buying into this notion that you can’t have your cake and eat it too, when the cake is meant to be eaten.

BWMB: Where do women need to be focused right now?

We need to be focused on loving each other in solidarity - White women, Black women, Asian women, Hispanic women, all women. I know the majority of women who’s tuning in may be Black women, but in general, all women need to connect better with other women. We need to recognize that there is a revolution right now of women owning their truths, and not the “truth” that you put in your 150 character bio.

We need to recognize that there is a shift on the whole planet, and you have the opportunity to be a part of it in a positive way. We need to understand right now, what your household needs, what your community needs, what your girlfriends need, what the world needs, and more than anything, how you as a woman are imparting your influence, wisdom and transformation into the marketplace.

BWMB: Is there any where else that women should focus on right now?

On herself! The woman who is staring back at you in the mirror and looking dead at your eyeballs. THAT woman. Her happiness, her peace, her desires, things that she’s over, and things that she’s tolerating. Because if you don’t believe all of that impacts how you show up as a leader, then you are sadly mistaken. You have to know that every single thing about you bleeds through your leadership and what you’re doing with your online communities, offline, clients, all of it. So, the sooner you own that piece, the happier you’ll be. The more successful you will be. The more people will gravitate to you. The more money you will make, the more impact you will have.

And remember this as I go, here’s a beautiful thing about impact. You will make more impact than money all day long, forever. Why? Because the people that are connected to you, your voice, and your message, will always be more than the people that will end up as a client or a customer. You may have a million followers, but not every single one of those followers will buy from you. Every single one of them won’t become a student. It doesn’t mean that you’re not making an impact. And that’s an important component to remember that the impact has to be made first in order for the income to be a real thing. If you are not connected with Aprille Franks online, I encourage you to do so. Follow @epicaprille on Instagram.

The conversation only gets deeper. To see the full interview, visit: www.blackwomanmeanbusiness.com/subscribe