Aprileen is an experienced finance, strategy and operations consultant; and founder of the podcast Pursuit Playbook where she shares the stories of women of colour in corporate and entrepreneurial spaces.

The perfect alignment of passions and aspirations

In the bustling world of finance, Aprileen Alexander stands out as a chartered accountant with a remarkable career spanning fifteen illustrious years. Her diverse experiences in investment banking, FMCG, beauty, luxury retail, media, and advertising have shaped her into a multifaceted professional. However, about five or six years ago, Aprileen felt a profound calling towards the vibrant and unpredictable world of startups, where rewards extend beyond the traditional paycheck.

This shift was not merely a career move for Aprileen; it was a transformative leap into a lifestyle where work and personal values intertwined. As a trusted advisor to friends seeking business advice, Aprileen would generously share her expertise so when an opportunity emerged to receive some equity in exchange for her knowledge, she quite liked that idea.

The startup that captured Aprileen's attention was a game-changer in the luxury retail industry, envisioning itself as the 'Monzo for Luxury Items.' Aprileen loved the idea behind the business, and the founder's boundless drive and unwavering commitment really impressed her. She also liked the fact that the founder had a few years of corporate career experience before deciding to embark on this entrepreneurial journey. Aprileen knew she could really make a difference to the trajectory of the startup.

Critical lesson of balance and boundaries

What began as an advisory role evolved into a hands-on fractional executive role in operations and finance, and Aprileen found herself navigating the complexities of securing funding and helping with the nitty-gritty of day-to-day business. Amidst the challenges, she embraced the critical lesson of setting firm boundaries to balance her time between the startup and other work. Her advice to anyone thinking about working for equity for the first time would be to set clear boundaries. And since equity doesn't pay the bills, pick the lightest touch opportunity that fits with your lifestyle.

Despite the challenges with finding balance, Aprileen derived immense satisfaction from witnessing her efforts manifest into tangible company growth. While the financial rewards from her equity shares are yet to materialise, she remains undeterred and ready to dive back into the startup scene if the right opportunity came her way. Armed with the invaluable lessons she has learned, she now has a much clearer criteria of what a startup venture must meet in order for her to invest her time - a company with a compelling leader and a dynamic team with the right chemistry, a venture poised for significant impact, and ideally with some level of funding. Her advice to founders looking for sweat equity partners is to be transparent about why you'd like someone to join your venture - and that it's ok if that reason is purely for the connections someone can bring.

Aprileen's journey is a treasure trove of lessons, emphasizing the crucial role of clear communication, firm boundaries, and the profound joy that comes from making a tangible impact. For those aspiring to venture into the startup arena, her story underscores the importance of balancing personal and professional commitments, setting boundaries, and conducting due diligence. Aprileen's path serves as a testament to the transformative power of embracing new challenges and the boundless opportunities that await those willing to step out of their comfort zones.

 

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