Today we’d like to introduce you to April Watson.
Hi April, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Growing up in Jackson Mississippi as a young girl, I was surrounded by nothing but poverty and restrictions on opportunity. Because of my circumstances, I knew that I was destined to be greater, I had to be greater. I could see the bigger picture. I was one of two that went to college in my entire family. After graduating from University of Mississippi with four master degrees, 1 bachelor & a doctarate of public health. I moved to Dallas Texas with my Aunt and I became a teacher. I honestly loved teaching I taught at a middle school for five years and once I moved to the administration side of Dallas ISD,I became disconnected and bored with that so I went to a different school district and became a diagnostician. I diagnosed intellectual and mental disabilities. I loved doing that because I have always been intrigued with how the brain works. Through trial and error I realized that was not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life so I started the journey of serial entrepreneurship with my first company Ability Solutions we do chemical and Alcohol dependency counseling and vocational rehabilitation.
After this company became well established with two locations here in Dallas Texas and many satellite locations in different states. I still wanted more I wanted to invest into a new business venture. On this journey, I have had to overcome so many obstacles in business and in life but with this particular obstacle it really hit me hard, I went into business with someone I really trusted and they ran off with about $150k. I was devastated because not only was I excited on starting a new business venture but I trusted and believed this person. In 2019 the farm bill legalized hemp in Texas and that’s when the lightbulb came on and that’s how my second business The Weed Spot started which is a legal hemp shop that is regulated by the state that offers full wellness and relaxation, What peaked my interest with this is my one of my sons has autism and I would give him cbd gummies to help him sleep at night so it changed my mindset on the benefits of cannabinoids and seeing what it did to help my son I knew that this was something that is on its way to change the world of medicine and I definitely wanted to be apart of that.
At the weed spot we offer all things Cbd from coffees, hemp flower, bath products, edibles, pet products and so much more. We just celebrated our year anniversary at our first location in the bishop arts district and in June of 2021, our second location will be open in Deep Ellum on commerce and we will have a restaurant called The Vine bar & grill right next door. We are also expanding to Houston this fall. As interesting as this story is I am nowhere near finished, I am also deeply into real estate me and my business partner have a company called Southern home ventures, where we build affordable houses mainly in the oak cliff area. We wanted to create opportunities for people so that could stay within their communities even when an area is being gentrified. I am also the Vice President of Lone star sports, we are hosting the Arlington showdown Texas southern vs. Southern University on October 9th, 2021, the first hbcu game ever hosted at the rangers stadium. We will have a college fair, a gala, step show and many other events that weekend. This has definitely been a journey of much success but there is also many obstacles along the way from losing over 150k, losing many friends, my first store location was broken into recently, people not seeing the whole vision. Times get hard of course and some people just give up but I challenge and encourage everyone that has read this story to keep going. There will Always be something just be prepared to overcome it and to move forward.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
On this journey I have had to overcome so many obstacles in business and in life, but there have been a few that stood out and affected me more than others, I went into business with someone I really trusted and they ran off with about $150k. YES, ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS that I seen absolutely nothing from it. Just Gone. I was devastated because not only was I excited on starting a new business venture and I lost a lot of money but I trusted and believed in this person. Recently my location in the bishop arts district The weed spot was broken into back in January ruining thousands of dollars worth of jars ,breaking the glass to the store. But more importantly the disappointment that I felt with everything positive that I am doing to create job opportunities, healing and much more in my community. I became a target and that hurts, I am the only black owned Hemp shop in the bishop arts district that hasn’t experienced burglary in years and for it to happen to me was just absolutely heartbreaking. Of course there are challenges I face everyday with being a mom, a friend, a sister, daughter. Hell with being a human to be honest but coming from a small town Mississippi girl challenges are what built my character and determination to never give up and to rise above every obstacle life brings my way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a serial entrepreneur with multiple businesses. I am owner of The Weed Spot, The Vine Bar and Grill, Vice president of Lone Star sports, Partner of Southern home ventures, owner of Ability solutions. I am proud of the journey that I have experienced to be able to still have the drive and momentum to keep all of my businesses stable and successful.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
This has definitely been a journey of much success but there is also many obstacles along the way from losing over 150k, losing many friends, my first store location was broken into recently, people not seeing the whole vision. Times get hard of course and some people just give up but I challenge and encourage everyone that has read this story to keep going, never give up. Don’t let anyone tell you not to be a dreamer and that you can only do one thing in life to be successful. Don’t let the little things clouds fog the entire sky. Be passionate in everything that you do and enjoy the journey.
Contact Info:
- Email: www.abilitysolutions.org
- Website: www.weedspot.us
- Instagram: @weedspot.us @iamaprilwh
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