Born and raised in Harlan County, Kentucky, April Wilson appreciated her rural roots. “I went to high school there and I left when I was 18,” she shares. She knew everyone in her small town and enjoyed hiking, hanging out with friends, and going to the lake.

 

She was impressed with her father’s work ethic as a coal miner and watched him make sacrifices for his family. “Occupations were limited,” explains April. “Most men worked in coal mines in some capacity. Women were either teachers or in hospital work. There weren’t a lot of employment opportunities.”

 

When she was a teenager, her father decided to go into business for himself by building coal mining parts. This left an impression on April. She comments, “I witnessed my dad step outside his comfort zone and grow a very large business.” He sold his thriving business 5 years ago and retired. Being an entrepreneur was a solid step for his future as he was able to walk away from the coal mines and become prosperous.