Today we’d like to introduce you to Apryl Jones.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Apryl. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was in a really terrible space 2016, where I had just had my second child, and my son was only one at the time, and I was going through a terrible breakup with their father. He decided to leave without explanation and I was forced to have to pick up the pieces of my life. I went back to work doing what I graduated school with which was radiation science. I worked at MLK in Watts, CA. I was doing this for about 5/6 months until physically my body couldn’t take anymore. I ended up being sleep deprived and dehydrated from breastfeeding and not taking care of myself since my priority was my children. To provide and care for them all while forgetting to care for myself. I decided to quit the job and I saved up enough money to be able to do so. I was presented with a great opportunity to start my own wine by branding with a winery in Temecula, CA. I came up with the name A’mei La Vie because while being in such a terrible space, I just told myself all I want is a beautiful life.
So my daughter’s name is A for Apryl and Mei for my mother’s name Mei-hsiang and it means A’mei=beautiful and la vie in french means life. That’s where the name came about. I then decided that yes, I have a product and a following so I could sell it easily, but what more could I do. I said I want to give back to all the women who feel like me and are going through what I am going through. Women who have kids and don’t feel sexy. Women who feel alone and need to express themselves so by doing a writer’s workshop with Apryl Wines. Women who have no time for themselves so a spa day for them with Apryl Wines and so forth. This is what became my mission. I then transferred my wine over to Santa Barbara winery three years later and that is where we are currently, and in a phase of creating more varietals for the consumers.
Great, 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?
It def hasn’t been a smooth road. There have been many challenges as I stated before that I feel could have set me back but it pushed me to wanna be better for me and my kids. I had numerous amounts of days where I wanted to give up going through court stuff, dealing with being the only one here in Los Angeles with no family or support, being forced to have to move into a space with two little kids with no explanation because my partner decided he didn’t want his family anymore. Having to do all these things that created anxiety, fear, etc. But again I pushed through I didn’t play victim. I didn’t make excuses. I put my wit into creating and motivating myself.
Please tell us about Apryl Wines and Life is to Be Lived.
Apryl Wines specializes in wines, and Life is to be Lived will be merchandise, fitness apparel, and makeup line. I love my mission and goal for my companies. Apryl Wines is women empowerment, and Life is to be lived is just that. Live your life! Its to be lived! We only get one. The whole brand is about being me and creative, and with the makeup wearing less is more. We don’t have to all be out here with beat faces to feel beautiful. A little concealer or blush and mascara is enough. My companies stand out from other companies because my companies are hands on with people. We actually care and give back. We don’t just have products we are selling we use those products to do events and bring people together for good causes.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Going to Dairy Queens with my Grandmother alone and not having my sister or cousin with us. She saw how my cousin and sister used to treat me, so she made this day special with just me and her. I wish I could go back to that day.
Contact Info:
- Website: aprylwines.com
- Email: aprylwines.com
- Instagram: @aprylwines
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