Dynamic Entrepreneur honoree growing her business and serving the county

By MIKE BOLLINGER

April Stephens is working to grow her real estate business and also to make sure growth in Johnston County is managed properly.

Stephens is owner of The April Stephens Team, working in residential and commercial real estate and is a Johnston County commissioner, having been appointed to the board in April.

As part of her business, she recently started The REal School. “We teach new and existing agents what they need to be successful,” Stephens said. “We will offer pre-license, post-license and continuing education agents need to maintain their license.”

Stephens has been in real estate for 16 years and has owned her own company for 10. The April Stephens Team serves Johnston, Cumberland, Harnett, Nash, Sampson, Wayne and Wake counties. “Our team is strategically placed. We just opened a new office building in January in the 40/42 area,” she said.

Before becoming a real estate agent, she served four years in the U.S. Army National Guard as a combat medic. Stephens was a paramedic who trained combat lifesavers. She also scheduled helicopter missions, mostly for community events. After she had her daughter, she left the Army and was an office manager for a general contractor.

“I loved every part of it. They sent me to real estate school at night. I got my license and worked for RE/MAX and owned a RE/MAX and excitedly transitioned to EXP the last two years,’ Stephens said.

One of the main pieces of advice she has for anyone looking to buy or sell a home is to go with experience. “Make sure you work with an experienced professional. Especially in this market, make sure your agent is educated. That’s why the REal School is one of my passions,’ she said.

“I pride myself on mentoring other agents. I have mentored agents for years. Your job as a leader is to train other leaders. To get where you’re going, you need to turn around and help the next person in line,” Stephens said.

Her husband, Brian, works with the real estate company and is CFO. Their daughter, Abby, is a junior in college in Nashville, Tennessee.

“My success has been driven by being surrounded by other successful people, such as my teammates,” Stephens said.

There are currently 17 agents on her real estate team with 10 in the new homes division.

Stephens said she was very pleased to learn of her nomination as Dynamic Entrepreneur. “I’m shocked, honored and absolutely grateful. I have always believed in the power of hard work and cannot believe I am being rewarded for it,” she said.

As a county commissioner, Stephens recognizes how Johnston is growing and wants to work toward controlled growth. “It’s very interesting and exciting to see Johnston County recognized for the wonderful community it is. People are right to love such an amazing area. We’re not going to shut the gate,” she said.

She said housing inventory levels in Johnston are “historically low.” There are, however, a good amount of new construction homes, she noted. “We are five years behind where we should be with the new construction we have on the market. We are continuously looking for new ways to help clients,” Stephens said. “We are creating new programs and options in order to meet clients where they are. The influx of people from other states offers new challenges and opportunities.”

Stephens, who has been a county commissioner for about three months, will be on the ballot in November. “I want to be transparent with the community. The public doesn’t always understand how the various entities in county government work. I want the taxpayers to know what goes on with the board of commissioners, the board of education and the planning board,” she said.

She said she wants to work on developing a strategic growth plan for the county that focuses on smart growth. “We need to have growth in areas that make sense and maintain the integrity of the county. I call it ‘thriving through tradition,’” Stephens said.

While the county can’t stop growth, she said, the look and integrity of the county can be maintained. “We need to be thoughtful about where development is coming,” Stephens said. “Who knows better than a real estate agent why people move in and move out?”

During her time on the board, Stephens said she has been impressed with the county’s employees. “I’ve been blown away by some of the county departments. The public needs to be aware how the county operates,” she said.

Stephens said she became a county commissioner “for the servant’s part, not for political reasons.” “I wanted to serve the community and have a voice. I’ve served on several boards in several capacities and have watched county board and planning board meetings for fun for a while. If you want a seat at the table, you have to volunteer,” she said.

The inspiration to become a commissioner came from her grandmother, who ran for the county board in Northampton County 20 years ago and was the first woman there to force a runoff election.

For more information about Stephens’ real estate business, visit www.aprilstephens.com.