Today we’d like to introduce you to April Sojourner Truth Walker Picaro.
Hi April Sojourner Truth, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
So, this is always a fun question to me because there’s when the business started and then there’s when I started moving in alignment with my purpose. I knew I wanted to help people through storytelling and education when I was around 10. That was the age when two very important things happened to put me on this path. One day after school, my dad asked me on the way home “what’s your purpose?” And being that I was 10, I was thinking, “I don’t know, to not fail Mrs. Hooper’s long division test and not let so-and-so know that I like him.” But it was from that moment on, that I seriously started thinking about what my purpose was in life – not what I wanted to do, that changed so many times, but who I wanted to be. That summer I also went with my mom while she taught summer school and I was tasked with helping a little boy just a year younger than me with his assignments. I still remember his name, Gerald. He’d been deemed “problematic” by every adult in his life, but when he and I would go to our little corner of the classroom to work I saw someone like me who just wanted to be heard and loved. While i’m sure we got his assignments done, what I remember most is the way he just poured out his story to me each day and trusted me with it. Oh, another big thing that happened that year was I was introduced to poetry from a professional poet for the first time on a field trip to the Polk-Wisdom Library. I was entranced seeing him bring words to life and knew I had to do that in some way. So yeah, 10 was a pretty big year for me!
In terms of how I got to where I am today from a more professional standpoint, it’s anything but linear. I started A Little More Truth, LLC in April of 2020, which was terrifying. But my dad, who’s always been one of my biggest supporters, was like “go forward, full steam ahead.” Before that, I’d been freelancing as a writing coach primarily for resumes and graduate/professional school admin essays while working as a Senior Project Manager for AT&T and teaching night classes as an adjunct for Oklahoma City Community College. And before I got laid off in September of 2020, I was doing all three simultaneously, which seems so exhausting looking back now.
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?
It’s been anything but a smooth road! I’ve learned to stare at 0 in my bank account on a regular basis and become comfortable with it. I’ve cried and not slept and put my physical health on the backburner, because I’m a one-woman show and if I’m not doing it, it’s not getting done. I’ve had relationships that I hoped would be beautiful and altruistic turn into transactional ones that have taught me valuable lessons. I’ve forgotten to file this form or pay that bill. Shoot, within the first year of the business, I had COVID twice (before vaccines) and a major surgery and had to re-evaluate how to run a business from a Rested Woman model rather than a grind til you die model.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about A Little More Truth, LLC?
At the heart of A Little More Truth, we’re writing coaches helping individuals and organizations create a little more truth through the art of writing. There are so many voices out there that can make it extremely difficult to find your voice and be confident in your ability to communicate through writing. So we provide individuals with language, critical and creative thinking skills to feel empowered to tell their story in whatever way is necessary for them. We have four main areas of specialization – Resume/Cover Letter Coaching, Admissions Essay Coaching, Creative Writing Project Management and 6-12th Grade Writing coaching. When people refer to me, they usually say I’m the “writing lady,” because really whatever your writing needs, we’re your expert!
The thing I’d say i’m most proud of brand wise is that people associate us with community building and creativity. Starting the business in the middle of social distancing and isolation, it was really challenging to grow community in the way that’s most authentic to me – going up to someone and saying hello, I’m April. So to see us now 6 years strong with a local and national community that’s growing is such a blessing to me.
What i’d really like readers to know about ALMT is that we’re an investment in your intellectual health. So often we spend money on things that are temporary in their benefits, but becoming part of the ALMT family means you have access to people and tools that you can nurture for a lifetime. I always tell clients, I’m here if you need me after our time is up; but it’s my hope that you leave each session feeling more confident as the author of your story.
I’d also like people to know that we offer a number of on-demand courses and free opportunities to engage with a writing community because it’s truly about empowering not emptying people’s bank accounts.
What matters most to you? Why?
Rest. If i’m not rested, I’m not bringing the best of me to myself or anyone else. I’ve spent enough of my life not prioritizing rest and it’s not something i’m willing to devalue ever again.
Pricing:
- Initial consultations are required and are $50 for an hour-long session.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alittlemoretruthllc.com/
- Instagram: @alittlemoretruth
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1692402864816571
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-walker-almt
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alittlemoretruthllc8470
