An Exclusive Interview: The Vision of Dr. April Willis for Business and Nonprofit Success

Founder of April Willis Consulting, LLC, April Willis has created a business that is more than that; it is a movement. With her passion for enabling others to live their best life, April combines years of education, nonprofit leadership, and business strategy expertise in every endeavor she undertakes. Her North Texas-based firm works with clients across the country, providing personalized consulting, professional coaching, and energetic speaking services. April recently introduced the National Nonprofit Collaborative, a revolutionary subscription site that equips nonprofit leaders with the tools, templates, and resources they require to succeed. April's mission is straightforward: assist you in going farther, faster. In this interview, she explores her path, her philosophy, and how she's making waves of empowerment throughout the nation.
We meet people where they are. We started in this business ten years ago writing resumes at the name-your-price approach so that every person would be able to look like a work of art on paper, regardless of their economic position. We have continued that approach all of these years and still offer a name-your-price approach for resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn optimization. We also started the National Nonprofit Collaborative as a way to provide consulting supports to nonprofits that couldn't afford a consultant. We have premier services for those who can afford it, and we offer services at prices for those who need a little extra support during challenging times. I think this really sets us apart and allows us to build powerful relationships with our clients.
2. Your extensive experience spans education, small businesses, and nonprofits, guiding organizations toward sustainable growth. How do you balance the diverse needs of these sectors when developing tailored strategies, and what common challenges do you find across them that your consulting approach addresses?
I balance sector needs by focusing on core strengths like clear messaging, systems thinking, and capacity building. Across education, small businesses, and nonprofits, common challenges include limited capacity and disconnected efforts. I also work a lot with people who have really big hearts and want to change the world, but lack the business acumen to do so well and for a long period of time. We allow leaders to do what they do best- solve community challenges– while we work behind the scenes to ensure they have a strong foundation upon which to build their business and then scale it.
Absolutely. One example is how the National Nonprofit Collaborative (NNC) helped a grassroots mental health nonprofit streamline their grant reporting and donor communications. They were spending hours each month juggling spreadsheets and piecing together impact stories. Through NNC, they accessed a shared reporting template, automated email workflows, and storytelling prompts aligned with funder priorities.
As a result, they not only saved time but also saw a 40% increase in donor retention and secured two new grants within six months. This reflects NNC's core vision: when nonprofits spend less time on admin and more on impact, they thrive—and so do the communities they serve. Our goal is to shift the sector from burnout to collaboration, from silos to shared success.
I integrate my academic background by translating theory into tools that work in the real world. Research helps me understand systems, change management, and behavior—but I always ground that in practical application. For example, I might use a theory of change framework to guide a strategic plan, but I'll pair it with simple action steps, clear metrics, and team training.
It's about making complex ideas accessible and actionable. My goal is to help organizations not just hit short-term targets, but build systems, skills, and culture that support long-term resilience—so they're not just surviving, but growing with intention.
A bold vision I have is to get the National Nonprofit Collaborative into the hands of 70% of the nation's nonprofits. We're doing this through a B2B strategy that engages large companies as sponsors, funding annual memberships for nonprofits in the communities they serve. It's a win-win: companies deepen their community impact, and nonprofits gain access to the tools, support, and collaboration they need to thrive. This vision is about scale, sustainability, and building a stronger nonprofit ecosystem—together.
April's work is centered on impact. From her hands-on consulting practice to the continually expanding National Nonprofit Collaborative, April transforms the way people and organizations find success. Her skill at combining strategic intelligence with empathic leadership makes her a go-to voice in an increasingly changing domain. She is more than an advisor; she is a connector, navigator, and champion for those who strive to grow and serve. April's commitment to providing others with usable, quality resources speaks of a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities between the nonprofit and entrepreneurial sectors. With leaders like April, the future appears to be collaborative, innovative, and decidedly bright.
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Forbes

an hour ago

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Miami Herald

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Kroger To Close 60 Stores Across US: What To Know

Kroger announced plans to close 60 of its supermarkets across the United States over the next 18 months, representing about 5 percent of the Cincinnati-based company's 1,239 Kroger-branded grocery stores across 16 states. The popular grocery retailer revealed the closure plans while reporting first-quarter earnings on Friday but has not specified which store locations will be affected or released a list of impacted stores. Newsweek reached out to Kroger on Saturday via email for comment. Companies close store locations for various reasons. While shifts in consumer shopping behavior and lower demand can cause stores to close, corporations often choose to shutter underperforming locations. Sales dropped slightly to $45.1 billion compared to $45.3 billion for the same period a year earlier according to Kroger earnings data. The move comes as grocery retailers nationwide face mounting pressures from changing consumer habits, inflation, and increased competition from discount chains and online retailers. More than 2,500 store closures are planned across the U.S. this year, according to The Mirror. Kroger expects the 60 store closures to provide a modest financial benefit to the company, according to a regulatory filing. In the first quarter, Kroger recognized an impairment charge of $100 million related to the planned closings. The company indicated that resulting savings will be reinvested into customer experience initiatives across remaining locations. The closures affect Kroger's extensive footprint spanning 16 states, though the company has remained tight-lipped about specific locations. The grocery retailer told CBS MoneyWatch that it will not be releasing a list of the affected stores. This lack of transparency has left employees and customers uncertain about which communities will lose their local Kroger. However, Kroger says it is committed to supporting displaced workers. All employees at affected stores will be offered roles at other Kroger store locations, though details about relocation assistance or wage protection remain unclear. The timing coincides with broader challenges facing traditional grocery retailers. Many chains are grappling with rising operational costs, changing shopping patterns accelerated by the pandemic, and fierce competition from warehouse clubs, dollar stores, and e-commerce platforms. Kroger company statement: "As a result of these store closures, Kroger expects a modest financial benefit. Kroger is committed to reinvesting these savings back into the customer experience, and as a result, this will not impact full-year guidance." Director of Media Relations/Corporate Communications Erin Rolfes told Newsweek in an email response: "In the first quarter, Kroger recognized an impairment charge of $100 million related to the planned closing of approximately 60 stores over the next 18 months." Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, previously told Newsweek: "For some major retailers, 2025 is becoming a year of consolidation. Retail locations that have struggled in recent years to remain profitable due to rising costs and less demand are being shuttered, as companies focus their efforts on more successful stores. The hope is these closures will ultimately produce more fiscal and operational efficiency, but it will come at the cost of customers who favored these locations having fewer options." Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of previously told Newsweek: "These aren't random casualties; they're strategic amputations of unprofitable limbs to save the corporate $15+ minimum wages to supply chain inflation, all crushing their razor-thin margins. Combine this with the march of e-commerce and changing consumer habits post-pandemic, physical retail becomes a luxury many companies can no longer afford." The 18-month closure timeline suggests Kroger will implement the plan gradually, though specific dates and locations remain undisclosed. Related Articles Kroger Responds After Georgia Juneteenth Cakes Go ViralKroger Food Recall Update: Full List of Products ImpactedWhy You're Not Feeling Trump's Egg Price PlungeRodney McMullen Resigns After Personal Conduct Probe, Kroger Shares Fall 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.