Being an entrepreneur is a very hard task.  

The attraction of making your own money and creating your own  work schedule with a mid-day nap can make an entrepreneur’s lifestyle seem grand.  Let’s image your entrepreneurial venture is successful. You are making as much money as you want with the time you are investing.

By many standards, if your business makes a profit, then your business is successful.  However, does the money equate to happiness? Does money indicate that you are living your life’s purpose? “Seeking fulfillment is just as important as getting paid”, according to serial entrepreneur April Sha’Lil.

Recently, we were able to catch up with April Sha’Lil, a serial entrepreneur with businesses in the commercial real estate, entertainment, and sports industry.

Here are the top gems from our chat:

ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Q: How did you get started into entrepreneurship?

A: “I’ve been an entrepreneur since 7 years old. I have always had the mindset to acquire money. I became a real estate agent in 2013. Fast forward to now, The Powerstrip was formed by two people combining real estate services and financial advising services. I am the real estate agent and my partner, Jacob, offers financial consulting. Together, we supply assistance to professional athletes, others in the entertainment industry, and global real estate ventures. The Powerstrip name was inspired by God allowing everyone to stay plugged into what their gifts and talents are being sourced from Him.”

Q: As a full-time entrepreneur, what does that look like everyday?

A: “It’s freedom. However, it’s also very intense, and serious. I am very serious about my work. I am very serious about closing deals, and I’m serious about being a hustler. I love the hustle. I wake up with real estate on my mind. A typical day is full of meetings, phone calls, and emails. There isn’t much sleep in a full-time entrepreneurs’ life. But, I have an assistant who helps me out a lot. I know she gets exhausted, too. It’s all a hustle.”

Q: Any additional side hustles outside of The Powerstrip?

A: “Whatever I do [outside of real estate], I bring it back into The Powerstrip. I also co-own an athletic training company. We train NFL players. We have approximately NFL players and numerous high-school players that train at the first of our five training facilities.”

“I have a non-profit organization called Block Enterprise that assists people with their payments on property taxes. [Recently] the ‘Buy The Block’ event with Nipsey Hussle was to raise funds for the non-profit. In addition to that, I write music for [performing] artists. I do creative direction for music videos. I know it sounds funny, but I do a lot of real estate things that aren’t traditional to your typical real estate agent. My latest side hustle is technology and realty. I am creating an app to close real estate transactions using cryptocurrency. Yes, I know! I have my hands in a lot of things. But most of them tie back into real estate and what The Powerstrip does!”

“Whatever I do [outside of real estate], I bring it back into The Powerstrip. I also co-own an athletic training company. We train NFL players. We have approximately 40 NFL players and numerous high-school players that train at one of our five training facilities.”

“I have a non-profit organization called Black Enterprise that utilities one-tenth of the transaction revenue from The Powerstrip to assist people with their payments on property taxes. In addition to that, I write music for [performing] artists. I do creative direction for music videos. I know it sounds funny, but I do a lot of real estate things that aren’t traditional to your typical real estate agent.”

“My latest side hustle is the introduction of technology and realty. I am creating an app to close real estate transactions using cryptocurrency. Yes, I know! I got my hands in a lot of things. But most of them tie back into real estate and what The Powerstrip does!”

Q: Whoa! That is a lot. Do you have the time to read? If so, what is your favorite book?

A: “Actually, yes. My favorite book is The Bible. Also, I read a lot of books by my mentor Dr. Myles Munroe. He has transformed my life in a way that I can’t explain. My entrepreneurship is faith-based, so I read for enlightenment.”

ON PURPOSE

Q: Define the word hustle.

A: “I don’t define my hustle as a determination to succeed. Because I feel my success is inevitable. My destiny was created before the world was created. So success is inevitable. I’m living my future everyday. My future is already inside of me, and everything that I’m going to be is something that I already am. I’m just building and growing towards my purpose.”

Q: Do you feel you are creating a path for other hustlers? Or for other people to explore themselves within their own craft?

A: “Most definitely. That’s what The Powerstrip is about. We believe in creating opportunities for other people to further their purpose. We provide the opportunity for people to own their own companies, share clientele with us, and collaborate with The Powerstrip. We want to be the gatekeepers for others to help elevate their purpose to different levels. To be honest, offering real estate and financial planning advice can change someone’s life.”

Q: Is there a difference between work and a job?

A: “Yes, there is. Your work can never be taken from you; nobody can fire you from you work. Compared to having a job, you can get fired at any moment. Your work is associated with your gift, your purpose, and your talent. That will be with you forever.”

ON THE FUTURE

Q: What are your thoughts on using social media as a tool in business? How has that changed the way you hustle? Or has it?

A: “In March of 2018, I met Shawn Cotton; who is a digital media influencer. He mentioned to me that I needed to intensify my social media presence on Instagram. So I did, and I have been consistent with instagram since then. I wouldn’t say it’s raised my hustle, but it has generated new leads for my business. With those new leads, my hustle had to expand. I would say social media has given my business more opportunities, but my drive has been the exact same.”

Q: Any goals you have for 2019?

A: “One of the goals is to have an official launch party for The Powerstrip. I want to create at least 30% of our new app, and continue to work on it until completion. I want to start a title company for The Powerstrip. Lastly, I want to get our cryptocurrency technology more advanced in areas of the company.”

Q: Will these services be local (to Dallas)?

A: “Well… I’m not local. All of these services will be virtual and available at [anyone’s] convenience. I want anyone to be able to access me globally. Being global is one of my goals for this year, too. I find properties all [over] the world. I am not limited to just Texas, and I’m starting to reach clients outside of Texas. The real idea is for our services to be wherever [potential client]s are, and for anyone to access.”

Q: Where is home?

A: “I live from a limitless mindset that no place is “home” yet. Until I purchase a house, all of the apartments I’m renting are temporary dwellings. I come to my apartment to sleep, eat, chill by myself, and get work done. I think home will be the first house I purchase.”

Q: Do you ever think that with as much success as you are having, that you will ever stop working?

A: “I don’t think I will ever retire. I plan to be a major real estate investor for the rest of my life. That’s how generational wealth is created. My goal is to acquire as much property as I can in my lifetime. I will not stop doing real estate. I will never stop reaching. I will never stop being a light. I will not stop my work. I don’t understand how people retire from work because work is associated with gift and purpose. I feel like purpose is for a lifetime. So I don’t think I will retire from real estate because I will always be an owner.”

Q: What motivates you?

A: “God’s will for my life is my daily motivation. I am fulfilling what He has asked me to do, and bring His Kingdom to Earth through my lifestyle. Also, fulfilling my duties within my company and through my family, to create a blessing for them is a huge motivator.”

Keep up with April on Instagram as she continues her serial entrepreneur journey!

@aprilshalil

@thepowertstrip