Tag Archives: Leadership

No Act of Kindness is too small

Posted in Gratitude, Inspiration, Leadership, Uncategorized by

No Act of Kindness is Too Small

Pray For Nashville

“No Act of Kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”

          When the tornado blew through Nashville in the middle of the night/early morning of March 3rd, 2020 it left with it a path of destruction, unimaginable to any of us who went to sleep Monday night thinking Tuesday would be business as usual. I live about 10 minutes from where most of the damage in Nashville took place and, honestly, slept through it. I woke to tons of text messages from family and friends checking in to make sure we were safe. The news was non-stop that day with live coverage of all the destruction. Having been through a fire to my townhome the first year I lived in Nashville, I remember how good the residents of this city were to me and waited for direction on ways to help those affected by the tornado.

When the call came in for donations of toiletries and cleaning products to help those affected by the tornado, I went to one of my favorite dollar stores, Dollar General (headquartered in Goodlettsville – right outside of Nashville), to grab what I could to help! I filled my basket with as much as I could and donated them to a collection site in North Nashville, Lee Chapel AME Church.

Nashville Tornado Relief

 

Nashville Tornado Relief

 

Nashville Tornado Relief

 

 

I was able to get back to Lee Chapel AME Church with several other ladies from the Junior League of Nashville that Friday to sort toiletries, blankets, etc. It was amazing to see so many Nashvillians, who at the drop a dime, came out asking “What can I do?”, “What do you need” and “show me where you need me to help!” #NashvilleStrong

 

 

Nashville Food Project

 

The Nashville Food Project – I was already schedule to volunteer at the Nashville Food Project the Saturday following the tornado, but the need was a bit more urgent after the storm. My Hubby and a couple wonderful Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority sisters were there as well and we prepped for 1,000 additional meals (in addition to the meals for their regular meal recipients) to support tornado relief.

 

 

 

I don’t think I’ve ever cracked so many eggs in all my life lol! I’m sure that French Toast Casserole was delicious!

Nashville Food Project

    I couldn’t restore the power to those without it like the NES crews did. Handling a chain-saw to cut down trees isn’t in my skill set either, but I did what I could to help those who needed it the most during such a trying time. Let us all remember that at any given time No act of kindness is ever too small.

Dr. Carmen April                Dr. Carmen April is an entrepreneur and community leader recognized as a Nashville Business Journal 2020 Women of Influence Award Recipient, Nashville Emerging Leader (NELA) Award Winner, a Nashville Business Journal Top 40 Under Forty Award Recipient, is a Graduate of the New Leaders Council Institute – Nashville Chapter, Young Leaders Council (YLC) Leadership Institute and is a Nashville Power Moves Award Winner. 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 Series.

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Dr. Carmen April: 2020 Nashville Business Journal Woman Of Influence

Posted in Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Inspiration, Leadership, Motivation, Success by

Dr. Carmen April: 2020 Nashville Business

Journal Woman Of Influence

Dr Carmen April Nashville Business Journal Women of Influence 2020

     ———————————–
  I’m honored to be among the 2020 Nashville Business Journal’s Women of Influence Award recipients. I’ve attended the recognition luncheon as a guest the past couple of years and am humbled to be one of those being recognized this year 🙏🏽
❐ Updated, full-length feature from the Nashville Business Journal 8/14/2020: https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2020/08/13/women-of-influence.html
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“The Nashville Business Journal is pleased to introduce you to 35 Nashville women making a difference.
From holding leadership roles at top companies to starting their own successful businesses to having a positive impact on the community, these are the female leaders making tomorrow’s history today.”
Nashville Business Journal 2020 Women of Influence
——————————————————————————————————
Dr. Carmen AprilDr. Carmen April is an entrepreneur and community leader recognized as a Nashville Business Journal 2020 Women of Influence Award Recipient, Nashville Emerging Leader (NELA) Award Winner, a Nashville Business Journal Top 40 Under Forty Award Recipient, is a Graduate of the New Leaders Council Institute – Nashville Chapter, Young Leaders Council (YLC) Leadership Institute and is a Nashville Power Moves Award Winner. 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 Series.

Start With Heart

Posted in Inspiration, Mindfulness, Motivation, Self Care, Success, Theme for 2019, Uncategorized by

Start with Heart

Start with heart

I recently came across an interesting article written by Anthony K. Tjan in the Harvard Business Review about entrepreneurship. As a full-time entrepreneur, I’m always reading stories, articles, blogs, and listening to podcasts about entrepreneurship. I love to know what makes people tick, but there’s something with learning about the stories of other entrepreneurs that really interests me!

In doing research for a book he was working on, Tjan and his colleagues interviewed several entrepreneurs who had a successful exit from their business (as in IPO or sale to another firm) and discovered that about 70% of them did NOT start with a formal business plan! Tjan says this: “Instead, their business journeys originated in a different place, a place we call the Heart. They were conceived not with a document but with a feeling and doing for an authentic vision. Clarity of purpose and passion ruled the day with less time spent writing about an idea and more time spent just doing it.”

I can 100% see that being the case. Before I started my medical practice, when it was just an idea in my mind, I heard everyone telling me that I needed a formal, written business plan. So writing a long 60+ business plan is what I did! The financial figures I included weren’t really accurate because I didn’t know how much it would ACTUALLY cost and how much I would ACTUALLY generate in revenue until I was in the thick of it. What drove my business in those early years was HEART and full dedication to making my business successful……. NOT the formal business plan.

I encourage your to check out Tjan’s full Harvard Business Review article HERE and tell me what you think……..

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, is a Graduate of the New Leaders Council Institute – Nashville Chapter and is a 2018 Nashville Power Moves Award Winner. 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 Series.

Timing Is Everything

Posted in Branding, Inspiration, Leadership, Motivation, Theme for 2019 by

Timing is Everything

Dinner With Dr Carmen April

I’ve you head to my Instagram feed you will likely notice something different. I’ve changed my handle from @DinnerWithNerds to @DinnerWithDrCarmen ! I finally got around to changing my Instagram handle to more accurately reflect my life, my brand and some exciting things I’ve got coming down the pipeline :-). I started my Instagram account years ago as an adjunct to my online food blog when my blog was almost exclusively about food and restaurants in Nashville. Fast forward many years later….my blog is more of a lifestyle blog, the Design Your Story Empowerment events I’m planning are all about Women’s Empowerment and I’m getting back to interviewing successful women as inspiration for myself and others! Same content. New name 🙂

#TimingIsEverything

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, is a Graduate of the New Leaders Council Institute – Nashville Chapter and is a 2018 Nashville Power Moves Award Winner. 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 Series.

Life is like a balloon

Posted in Inspiration, Leadership, Manifesting, Mindfulness, Motivation, Success, Theme for 2019 by

Life is Like a Balloon…..

Dr April Women's Empowerment

Life is like a balloon. If you never let yourself go, you’ll never know how high you can rise!

Relax, relate, release.

If you’re a type A personality like me you are a planner, an organizer and like things to go just as you’ve planned them. What I’ve learned over the years, though, is that sometimes you have to just “let go” and let life play out! Some of the most amazing things that I’ve experienced in my life came when I surrendered, “let go” and had faith that things are always working for my good!

Dr. Carmen AprilDr. 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, is a Graduate of the New Leaders Council Institute – Nashville Chapter and is a 2018 Nashville Power Moves Award Winner. 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.

A Grand Success

Posted in Gratitude, Inspiration, Leadership, Motivation, Networking, Success by

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

Posted in Inspiration, Leadership, Manifesting, Mindfulness, Motivation, Networking, Success by

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.

Punta Cana Bliss

Posted in Gratitude, Manifesting, Mindfulness, Motivation by

Punta Cana Bliss

🌴 Ataraxia: A state of freedom from emotional disturbance and anxiety; tranquillity

🌊 Relaxing in and by the water is one of the most rejuvenating practices for me. Punta Cana was the perfect vacation to feed my soul. We learned new Spanish words, ate the most delicious fresh fruits & veggies my heart desired, many which are grown locally on the resort property, danced in the pool for hours, dipped my toes in the ocean, learned about Dominican culture & way of life and enjoyed the Yhi Spa several times. I’m always grateful for new experiences and the blessing of enjoying life! I don’t take any of it for granted…. #Grateful

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

Posted in Inspiration, Leadership, Motivation, Networking, Success by

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

Posted in Inspiration, Leadership, Success by

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.