Don’t Ever Let Anyone Dull Your Sparkle

Don’t Ever Let Anyone Dull Your Sparkle!

It’s January 2019 – a new year and 365 days worth of opportunities to live the life of your dreams! I pride myself in striving to be the best version of myself each and every day!

I recently had a conversation with a young lady, high school age, who felt that she was being teased about being an “overachiever”, straight-A student, etc. This hit home for me because I’ve heard many of these same things throughout my life due to my desire to strive for excellence in all that I do. I immediately told her, “My dear, don’t ever let anyone dull your sparkle!”

A couple of months ago I came across a quote from Myleik Teele on social media that says something to the effect of “You’ll always be too much for people who aren’t doing much”! Typically, those bullies that have so much to say are those who don’t have the same drive and commitment to fulfilling their dreams that those of us whom they consider “overachievers” do…..and it’s ok! Those people are NOT part of your tribe! Keep shining, keep striving, and leave a little sparkle wherever you go!

Dr. Carmen April          Dr. Carmen April is an entrepreneur and community leader recognized as a Nashville Emerging Leader (NELA) Award Winner, a Nashville Business Journal Top 40 Under Forty Award Recipient and is a Graduate of the New Leaders Council Institute – Nashville Chapter. She is a Podiatrist and Owner of The Foot And Ankle Healthcare Center, PC in the Nashville area. She is a Reiki Master, a Law of Attraction Practitioner, and an advocate for the power of positive thinking! Dr. April is available for speaking engagements on Leadership & Life Leadership for College Students and Young Professionals and is the creator of the “Design Your Story” Women’s Empowerment Luncheon Series.

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A Grand Success

A Grand Success!

Dr Carmen April Speaking

My very first Design Your Story Women’s Empowerment Luncheon was a fabulous success! I’m so appreciative of each and every woman who came out to the luncheon to share with each other, network and be inspired! There are many more pics coming…… after I kick my feet up for a sec ☺️! #DesignYourStory

Dr. Carmen April            Dr. Carmen April is an entrepreneur and community leader recognized as a Nashville Emerging Leader (NELA) Award Winner, a Nashville Business Journal Top 40 Under Forty Award Recipient and is a Graduate of the New Leaders Council Institute – Nashville Chapter. She is a Podiatrist and Owner of The Foot And Ankle Healthcare Center, PC in the Nashville area. She is a Reiki Master, a Law of Attraction Practitioner, and an advocate for the power of positive thinking! Dr. April is available for speaking engagements on Leadership & Life Leadership for College Students and Young Professionals and is the creator of the “Design Your Story” Women’s Empowerment Luncheon Series.

The Wonders of Milk Thistle

The Wonders of Milk Thistle

 

Milk Thistle

 

Ever wonder what a “ thistle” actually is?! You’ve probably seen this beautiful flower out in a field or along a highway or country road somewhere. This flower is more than beautiful, it packs a powerful liver detoxification punch!

“As a liver support and liver aid, milk thistle is a powerful liver cleanser. It helps rebuild liver cells while removing toxins from the body that are processed through the liver. Milk thistle is effective at naturally reversing the harmful effects of alcohol consumption, pesticides in our food supply, heavy metals in our water supply, pollution in the air that we breathe and even poisons!” (Quote from Dr Axe online)

It’s one of the supplements I personally take on a daily basis ( I take mine in a liquid tincture form) as part of a healthy eating regimen.

The milk thistle plant, as is prominently displayed in the name and logo of Thistle Farms & Thistle Farms Cafe, is symbolic of the physical, mental and emotional detoxification process the survivors who are healed and rehabilitated through the Thistle Farms programs experience.

Learn more about Thistle Farms, hear from our Keynote Conversation guest, Nashville News Reporter Harriet Vaughn-Wallace, and network with other women during my upcoming Women’s Empowerment Luncheon on Saturday July 21st!

 

Design Your Story Women's Empowerment Luncheon

Eventbrite registration link: https://bit.ly/2KL4Yg1

 

 

Dr. Carmen April                Dr. Carmen April is an entrepreneur and community leader recognized as a Nashville Emerging Leader (NELA) Award Winner, a Nashville Business Journal Top 40 Under Forty Award Recipient and is a Graduate of the New Leaders Council Institute – Nashville Chapter. She is a Podiatrist and Owner of The Foot And Ankle Healthcare Center, PC in the Nashville area. She is a Reiki Master, a Law of Attraction Practitioner, and an advocate for the power of positive thinking! Dr. April is available for speaking engagements on Leadership & Life Leadership for College Students and Young Professionals and is the creator of the “Design Your Story” Women’s Empowerment Luncheon Series.

This is The Power In Gathering

This is the Power In Gathering…..

Design Your Story Women's Empowerment Luncheon

Author Alice Walker tells us “This is the power in gathering: it inspires us to be more hopeful, more joyful, more thoughtful. In a word, more alive” and I couldn’t agree more! So gather with me, other professional women and our special Keynote Conversation Guest, Fox 17 TV News Reporter, co-host of Fox 17 News’ Nashville In Focus & Professor of Journalism and Communications, Harriet Vaughn-Wallace, as we empower ourselves and each other on issues important to us as women!

Tickets are available by following THIS Eventbrite link : https://bit.ly/2KL4Yg1

We look forward to seeing you there!

Dr. Carmen April          Dr. Carmen April is an entrepreneur and community leader recognized as a Nashville Emerging Leader (NELA) Award Winner, a Nashville Business Journal Top 40 Under Forty Award Recipient and is a Graduate of the New Leaders Council Institute – Nashville Chapter. She is a Podiatrist and Owner of The Foot And Ankle Healthcare Center, PC in the Nashville area. She is a Reiki Master, a Law of Attraction Practitioner, and an advocate for the power of positive thinking! Dr. April is available for speaking engagements on Leadership & Life Leadership for College Students and Young Professionals and is the creator of the “Design Your Story” Women’s Empowerment Luncheon Series.

Reach Back

Reach Back

Preach Michelle!

This is so important and one of the many reasons for the implementation of my upcoming “Design Your Story” Women’s Empowerment Luncheon series! When you’ve obtained a seat at the table, move over and pull up a seat for another woman to succeed as well!

Dr. Carmen April          Dr. Carmen April is an entrepreneur and community leader recognized as a Nashville Emerging Leader (NELA) Award Winner, a Nashville Business Journal Top 40 Under Forty Award Recipient and is a Graduate of the New Leaders Council Institute – Nashville Chapter. She is a Podiatrist and Owner of The Foot And Ankle Healthcare Center, PC in the Nashville area. She is a Reiki Master, a Law of Attraction Practitioner, and an advocate for the power of positive thinking! Dr. April is available for speaking engagements on Leadership & Life Leadership for College Students and Young Professionals and is the creator of the “Design Your Story” Women’s Empowerment Luncheon Series.

Design Your Story Women’s Empowerment Series

Design Your Story : Women’s Empowerment

Series

Dr Carmen April Women's Empowerment Series

Happy Tuesday y’all!

           SAVE THE DATE for Saturday July 21st from 11am to 1pm when I will be hosting the 1st in a series of women’s empowerment luncheons here in Nashville! It’s something I started speaking into existence and talked about on my blog 3 years ago and it’s finally coming to fruition! We will hear from a special Keynote Conversation guest, enjoy great food, network with other women and expand our mindsets about important topics and issues! More details will be coming later this week, but this will be too good to miss so go ahead and mark your calendar NOW!

Dr. Carmen April           Dr. Carmen April is an entrepreneur and community leader recognized as a Nashville Emerging Leader (NELA) Award Winner, a Nashville Business Journal Top 40 Under Forty Award Recipient and is a Graduate of the New Leaders Council Institute – Nashville Chapter. She is a Podiatrist and Owner of The Foot And Ankle Healthcare Center, PC in the Nashville area. She is a Reiki Master, a Law of Attraction Practitioner, and an advocate for the power of positive thinking! Dr. April is available for speaking engagements on Leadership & Life Leadership for College Students and Young Professionals and is the creator of the “Design Your Story” Women’s Empowerment Luncheon Series.

Representation Matters

Representation Matters

Representation matters and that’s why it is so important to other women and young girls that they see women like me walking in my gifts! It’s important that young black and brown girls see another brown girl like me achieving and fulfilling my dreams! To all you ladies out here doing your thing and inspiring others, keep doing it! Never dim your light to make others comfortable with your own version of “shine”! There are young ladies trying to find themselves in this world and they are looking up to us. Our confidence makes a difference. Our elegance makes a difference. Our intelligence makes a difference. Our kindness toward others makes a difference. #RepresentationMatters

Representation Matters

Dr. Carmen April
             Dr. Carmen April is an entrepreneur and community leader recognized as a Nashville Emerging Leader (NELA) Award Winner, a Nashville Business Journal Top 40 Under Forty Award Recipient and is a Graduate of the New Leaders Council Institute – Nashville Chapter. She is a Podiatrist and Owner of The Foot And Ankle Healthcare Center, PC in the Nashville area. She is a Reiki Master, a Law of Attraction Practitioner, and an advocate for the power of positive thinking! Dr. April is available for speaking engagements on Leadership & Life Leadership for College Students and Young Professionals and is the creator of the “Design Your Story” Women’s Empowerment Luncheon Series.

Figure Out What’s Really Important

Figure Out What’s Really Important

Dr. Carmen April

When you figure out what’s important in to you in this life, it’s easy to let go of what’s not. I can’t be everything to everybody and still be happy with myself so I’ve learned to focus on what’s important and let everything else fall into place as they may.

Where do your priorities stand? Do you feel pulled in many different directions and finding that you aren’t at peace with where those paths are taking you? If so, it’s time to make some changes! Make a list of the things/activities/roles in your life that are most important to you. These reflect your CORE desires. These are the big rocks you put in the bucket 1st. Everything else, the smaller rocks and the sand, fill in AFTER your priorities are taken care of. If you fill your bucket with the small rocks and sand first, there will be no room for those things most important to you. When you learn that you can count on yourself, nothing else counts!

Dr. Carmen April          Dr. Carmen April is an entrepreneur and community leader recognized as a Nashville Emerging Leader (NELA) Award Winner, a Nashville Business Journal Top 40 Under Forty Award Recipient and is a Graduate of the New Leaders Council Institute – Nashville Chapter. She is a Reiki Master, a Law of Attraction Practitioner, and an advocate for the power of positive thinking! Dr. April is available for speaking engagements on entrepreneurship and Life Leadership for College Students and Young Professionals.

She’s Got That Girl Boss Hustle

She’s Got That Girl Boss Hustle

SHOULD

WOULD

COULD

DID !

Dr Carmen April Girl Boss

“Little Girls With Dreams Become Girls With Vision”

          I’ve always been a dreamer, dreaming the extraordinary, dreaming about things so grand they seem unbelievable to some and flat out crazy to others. I’m a fierce go-getter and not easily discouraged. I believe in the power of my dreams and know, for a fact, that if I can believe it…..I WILL see it!

          My husband surprised me with tickets to see Misty Copeland perform with the American Ballet Theatre at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City last month (que my happy dance!)!!!! He knows how much I admire Misty as an AMAZING ballet dancer, the very first African American principle dancer for the American Ballet Theatre!! Her performance in Don Quixote was nothing short of amazing and I’m so blessed to have been able to see her do what she was born to do. Misty Copeland is the definition of a #GirlBoss!  While we were in NYC, one of my fave get-a-way spots because of the lively energy of the city, I had an idea for an impromptu photo shoot right outside our hotel, a block away from Times Square………… and with my Hubby as the photographer 🙂

           Y’all know I’m about lifting others as I climb and I think it’s important that women entrepreneurs share stories of our journey, inspiration and encouragement along the way! Its the reason for this blog – to share inspiration, motivation and encouragement on a regular basis to those looking for inspiration while following their dreams.

          I’m big on inspirational quotes because they are simple enough to memorize quickly. When I need a bit of inspiration and encouragement in my life, they are easy to recall, but pack a powerful punch! So, here are some pearls of inspiration for the #GirlBosses , #BossLadies , & #WomenOnTheMove !

Dr Carmen April Girl Boss

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

“I’m on a mission to build an EMPIRE and leave a LEGACY”Dr Carmen April Girl Boss

A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just BLOOMS.Dr Carmen April Girl Boss

Dr Carmen April Girl BossBe THANKFUL for what you have. Be fearless in what you want!

“I LOVE my Boss.” (P.S. – I work for myself!)Dr Carmen April Girl Boss

Once in a while, honey, blow your OWN mind!Dr Carmen April Girl Boss

Dr Carmen April Girl Boss

Don’t be afraid, be inspired! God gave us talents and He wants us to use them.

#GirlBoss : She knew the power of her mind and she programmed it for success!Dr Carmen April Girl Boss

Dr Carmen Aprl Girl Boss

“Don’t give up. Normally, it is the last key on the ring which opens the door.” – Paulo Coelho

Dr Carmen April Speaker

           Dr. Carmen April is an entrepreneur and community leader recognized as a 2014 Nashville Emerging Leader (NELA) Award Winner, a 2013 Nashville Business Journal Top 40 Under Forty Award Recipient and is a 2014 Graduate of the New Leaders Council Institute – Nashville Chapter. She is a Law of Attraction Practitioner and an advocate for the power of positive thinking! Dr. April is available for speaking engagements on Entrepreneurship and Life Leadership for College Students and Young Professionals.

Cheers to Six Years in Private Practice!

Cheers to Six Years in Private Practice!

6-years-private-practice

          A little over 6.5 years ago I had a dream, a vision, a plan to start my own practice from scratch in the city of Nashville where I could count the number of people I knew here on one hand! It seemed like a daunting task to some, but I can honestly say that from the moment that idea planted itself in my mind, I fully believed I could do it, never doubted myself and never looked back! Statistics show that most small businesses fail within the first 5 years. In fact, more than 90% of them do. However, It’s been exactly 6 years since I opened my doors on Jan. 10th, 2011 with just 2 patients on a cold snowy, icy day and I’ve been rocking and rolling ever since! I thank God for it all, even the times I wanted to throw in the towel because I’ve grown from the experience. The Foot And Ankle Healthcare Center is not a side hustle or an extra job in addition to another. It’s my full time, 24-7, 365 days per year, even in the middle of the night when I get an emergency call, and even when I’m on “vacation”, baby!

It began with nothing more than a vision in my mind, God’s direction and provision, the support of my family, and has grown because of my dedicated work, the trust of medical colleagues referring their patients to me, friends and sorority sisters who are my “unofficial” marketing team and are always sending patients my way, and the support of the thousands of patients who have trusted me to care for them ! I’m #Grateful

Dr Carmen April Speaker          Dr. Carmen April is an entrepreneur and community leader recognized as a 2014 Nashville Emerging Leader (NELA) Award Winner, a 2013 Nashville Business Journal Top 40 Under Forty Award Recipient and is a 2014 Graduate of the New Leaders Council Institute – Nashville Chapter. She is a Law of Attraction Practitioner and an advocate for the power of positive thinking! Dr. April is available for speaking engagements on Leadership and Life Leadership for College Students and Young Professionals.