Today we’d like to introduce you to April Diaz.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in a very fundamentalist, Christian family. From an early age, I was taught that “place” of a woman was in the home, taking care of her husband and children. I never wanted exclusively those roles and responsibilities. I was identified as a leader as a little girl and had loads of ambition, intensity, and vision. That tension grew as I felt called to be a youth pastor, but I was a girl. There was no model for that. But I believed God more than man’s interpretation of my roles and responsibilities.
But I’ve always been a tomboy with sparkly shoes, never really fitting into prescribed women’s stereotypes or events and I was often the only woman in the leadership meetings. I was also committed to the marginalized and oppressed. For nearly two decades, my commitment was expressed through serving teenagers and racial minorities. I never wanted to advocate for women because it felt shameful and self-serving. I simply wanted to do my thing as a female leader and speaker and trust the ceilings to be shattered along the way. As I grew in my gifts, calling, and purpose I realized that the patriarchy won’t accidentally cease to exist. It would take concerted effort, intention, and leadership.
Over three years ago, I had a massive life interruption. In that dark night of my soul God told me, “You’ve been building other men’s visions for 20 years. It’s time you build the vision I’ve given to you.” But I had no idea exactly what that looked like. I spent the better part of a year healing and forgiving someone who hurt me deeply, imagining what could be next, and questioning the vision.
Ezer + Co. was launched during Women’s History Month on March 15, 2019. I didn’t launch this company with ANY of the things the old, white guys say you need. We only had a website purchased, social media handles, and an ambiguous vision for women to own their voice and lead in equality with men. No business plan. No investors. No financial model. No list of services.
But my (then) 3rd grade daughter was my prophetess. She gave a current events speech at school on International Women’s Day and her closing line was this: “This day is important because women are strong and powerful and have made a difference in this world.” I lost it. I knew right then that this company needed to be launched in the stream of all the brave women who’ve gone before me. And I committed to build this company in the company of warrior women. It would be messy and complicated, but it would be our collective mission.
Ezer + Co.’s first birthday was the day California went into quarantine. We canceled our launch party scheduled for that night and lost 75% of our revenue almost overnight. These last 18 months have been relentlessly challenging. And yet, the pandemic has grounded our mission to activate women to live and lead with wholeness. We’ve clarified our pathway as a company and for women so they can increase wholeness in the six interconnected dimensions. It’s clearer than ever how needed our work is and how much better the world is when women are living and leading with wholeness in every space.
The best is yet to come…
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oof. I hinted at the challenges before, but the path has been filled with struggles! I joke with my friends that no one should choose to be an entrepreneur unless you are totally compelled by the vision you see and the problems you’re trying to solve. This is the most difficult work I’ve ever done in nearly 25+ years of leadership.
The pandemic has been an ongoing challenge. Not being able to travel, women stretched to the max, financial scarcity, massive uncertainty, and capacity limitations have all been obstacles. We’re such a young company and haven’t had a lot of margin in the last 18 months.
Perhaps the strongest obstacle has been me. Identifying my own limiting beliefs, educational gaps, mental strongholds, and imposter syndrome takes a good deal of self-leadership to push through and find a better way forward.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Ezer + Co.?
We’re a coaching company for women who are ready to invest in themselves in order to go beyond their current limits. Our coaching is focused on what YOU want to increase wholeness in your life and leadership. Identifying what’s not working in your life and leadership is the opportunity to breakthrough.
We offer a premier 6-month coaching group experience where you determine a top goal that matters most to you. We also have live and on-demand Wholeness Workshops and an online membership community so you can get results quickly as you’re connecting to a community of like-minded women. We believe transformation happens better together!
Unlike cookie-cutter women’s groups, self-help gurus, or pretentious executive coaching groups built for men who all put you in a box and force-fit their solution on you, we create a customized wholeness plan for you, match you with a certified and experienced coach, and connect you with a vibrant community of Women Warriors,
Ezer + Co. is wildly committed and fully FOR you, so you can fulfill your mission in life by leading as your whole self, everywhere you go. You’re worth the investment, Warrior!
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love how diverse our community is. We belong together and to one another. Diversity is such a profound way to connect more deeply to God, ourselves, and the world.
I loathe how over-committed and busy we are. It’s the enemy to transformation and becoming your whole self. It allows us to hide, play small, and perpetuate the fragmentation in our lives.
Pricing:
- Wholeness Workshops – $29 each
- Membership Community – $15/month
- Coaching Groups – $2494
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.ezerandco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ezerandco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ezerandco
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ezerandco
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC81y_sewmMSkAhty3kPC2Mw
- Other: https://community.ezerandco.com/
