Hidden Gems: Meet Apryl Stewart of Skyview Concessions

Today we’d like to introduce you to Apryl Stewart.

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 always thought I would become an Educator. Women were just entering the workforce beyond teaching and nursing at the time. In high school, I was selected to participate in the Professional Development Program where I would attend UC Berkeley during summers and weekends during my junior and senior years. The program changed the trajectory of my life. Through this program, we were introduced to large national firms with local offices located in the Bay Area. It was then that my eyes were opened and I began to see the possibilities. You see, we had the opportunity to have brown bag discussions with executives in boardrooms! We are able to ask them about their careers and what they enjoyed about their work! Most impactful was seeing women in back then, managerial (now leadership) positions! I was so impressed! S much so that when I entered USC as a freshman, I was classified in the School of Education but after being exposed to women in business, I just knew I had to get accepted into the Business school. Gratefully, I was accepted after my first year at USC and I changed my undergrad studies from Education to Business Administration and Marketing.

Upon graduating from USC I took, upon the advice of my Retail Instructor, I accepted a Manager Training Position with JCPenney. It was the lowest offer I had received but my Instructor was right, as it afforded me the most comprehensive retail executive training.

I heard about a sales manager position with DFS (Duty-Free Shoppers) and was intrigued as I desired to become a buyer for a store. I was offered a sales manager position and was fascinated every day by the retailing that was taking place at LAX! Side note: Funny, I’m just now recalling I really wanted to study International Business but it required additional coursework and finances. Still to this day, it had to have been by the grace of God that allowed my parents to pay for my private college education. I only worked summers and maybe a semester or 2 while in school.

I was successful at DFS receiving promotions every couple of years. I climbed through the ranks from sales manager to assistant buyer, then assistant general manager, to eventually being named the Human Resources Director for North America. While working at the stores at DFS, I noticed a sign posted stating that particular star was a joint venture operated by DFS and a small minority firm. I was curious and always offered to help one of the owners of the small business. I eventually made a decision to take a vacation and travel at my own expense to an industry conference in Atlanta. It was there that I met a man that would become my mentor. When Joe L., a VP of the company, asked me if the company had sent me to the conference. I stated that I took vacation time and wanted to learn about the industry. The next morning Joe had me meet him for breakfast and he took me under his wing from that moment on. We worked well together and he requested I travel with him to all the conferences from then on! Little did I know Joe L. was a stalwart and captain in the industry! He introduced me to all the key players which would come into play years later.

I worked for DFS for ten years and was recruited by another industry after a layoff. One year later, I was back in the travel retail industry working for that same small business owner I helped years before! I was named the Director of Operations and was responsible for opening retail locations throughout the country. I worked for her as if I worked for myself. It gave me lots of practice in how to run a business while receiving a nice salary.

It took me ten years and the death of a family member to finally decide to take the leap of faith to start my own business. I contacted many of those players Joe L. introduced me to and advised them I was ready to go into partnership with them. Little did I know, it was that easy, but I know having been in the industry fast-tracked me into winning my first contract at Sacramento Airport.

Since then, I have been blessed to win multiple location contracts at LAX and SFO. It’s a full-circle moment for me as I am now a joint venture partner with DFS! The same company I worked for ten years.

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 has not been a smooth road. I’ve made mistakes and failures but I am grateful that the failures have been some of my biggest and best teachers. Some of the struggles:

Couldn’t prove that I’m a woman and minority to one state and was delayed getting certified by 1 year for missing deadlines. Pay strict and close attention to the details while getting certified for contracts.

Access to capital is the biggest barrier to entry for major federal contracts. Trying to get approved for traditional funding can be onerous and very costly just to apply. I’ve been fortunate to have been offered an opportunity where the barriers were lowered and now I operate an independently owned and operated store among the other Joint Venture Partnerships at LAX and SFO.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I own and operate stores and restaurants at SFO and LAX in Joint Venture partnerships. I’m most proud to celebrate one year in business under the brand Vera Bradley and Pura Vida brands at LAX, Southwest Terminal! It is a dream come true and a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate I can operate independently in a highly competitive environment and during the covid era.

Contact Info:

• Website: skyviewconcessions.com
• Instagram: skyviewconcessions
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apryl-stewart-5ba073a/
• Other: https://www.moodiedavittreport.com/minority-owned-skyview-concessions-opens-vera-bradley-boutique-at-los-angeles-airport/

Image Credits
Rene Cascia