We had the good fortune of connecting with April Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi April, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
For me, balance has changed over time. Before becoming an entrepreneur, I felt that balance meant focusing on my career during the week and then relaxing on the weekends, finding time for leisure activities, fun, vacations, and trips. There was a clear separation between work and play. However, as I evolved and began to set clear goals, desires, and aspirations beyond my career, my definition of balance shifted.

Now, I feel that balance doesn’t truly exist in the traditional sense not just because I don’t want it, but because my philosophy on balance has changed. Just as there are four seasons, I believe that you can’t have winter, spring, summer, fall all at once. You experience only one season at a time. Similarly, I believe there are seasons for going all in on a particular goal, followed by a period of rest, leisure, or relaxation, and then another season of intense focus.

At this point in my life, as I manage both a 9-to-5 job and multiple businesses, it can be challenging to find a sense of balance. But for me, it’s healthy to go all in for a season, understanding the purpose behind it and the reason for making temporary sacrifices. My relationship and understanding of balance may continue to evolve depending on where I am in life.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
When I was in business school at Emory University, I struggled to balance the demands of a 9-to-5 job and a rigorous MBA program. I felt overwhelmed and disorganized, juggling multiple notebooks and sticky notes scattered with assignments and to-do lists. I constantly felt behind and could never quite catch up. I often questioned my decision to go back to school—until a classmate introduced me to the concept of a planner. I had never used one before, but the planner became my saving grace.

The planner provided the system I desperately needed to manage my time and assignments more effectively. Over four semesters and with four different variations of planners, I developed a disciplined practice of using one consistently. This discipline dramatically improved my productivity, allowing me to graduate from Emory with honors.

After business school, I joined a prestigious consulting firm and applied the same level of discipline. To my surprise, my productivity skyrocketed, and within a year, I was promoted. My productivity at school and work began to spill into my personal aspirations, and I quickly realized that my productivity skills were unmatched. That year turned out to be my best yet—I achieved more in one year than many accomplish in a decade. Every 90 days, I was hitting a new goal.

In the first quarter, I flipped a single-family home. By the second quarter, I had invested in a restaurant and became an angel investor. In the third quarter, I purchased, renovated and house hacked a four-unit property. Finally, in the fourth quarter, I created the One Day – Daily Execution Planner to help others achieve their goals in 90 days or less.

I want people to understand that productivity principles can make any goal achievable and within reach. You don’t have to wait five to ten years to accomplish your dreams—any goal can be achieved in 90 days or less with focus and a sense of ease. When you have a specific goal and break it down into milestones, committing to it consistently for 90 days can lead to incredible results. With discipline, focus, and the right tools—like the One Day – Daily Execution Planner—you can take it one day at a time and turn your “one day” goals into reality. We don’t have to wait years to achieve our dreams. With the right mindset and habits, we can accomplish them sooner than we ever imagined.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is such a tough question! There’s so much to do in Atlanta that it would be impossible to experience and appreciate it all in just one weekend. However, I would definitely suggest visiting during SpelHouse Homecoming and One Music Fest weekend—the city truly comes alive!

I’d recommend staying at the Signia Hilton Hotel in downtown Atlanta. We’d spend time in my favorite neighborhood, Castleberry Hill. Before the weekend officially begins, we’d grab a quick bite at Local Green Atlanta and then head over to ZuCot Gallery for a Friday night Art Tasting. Afterward, we’d venture across the street to the rooftop bar at the Reverb by Hard Rock Hotel, RT60.

The next morning, we’d have breakfast at Rosie’s Café before walking over to the AUC for the SpelHouse Homecoming festivities—an unforgettable experience, guaranteed. As dusk settles, we’d make our way to One Music Fest to sing and dance our hearts out at Piedmont Park. If we still had energy after the festival, we’d wrap up the night at Cam Newton’s spot, Fellaship, back in Castleberry Hill.

On Sunday morning, we’d take a short walk to Brooklyn Tea for some fresh air, a light bite, and tea or coffee. Then, we’d spend the rest of the day back at One Music Fest, wrapping up an amazing weekend—and by the end, we’d definitely need a vacation from our vacation!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a shoutout to a local Atlanta influencer, Wall Street Trapper. During the pandemic, I started following him on social media, and he made a comment that deeply resonated with me: “If you give them permission to feed you, then you give them permission to starve you.” This statement sparked action on my part, ultimately leading me to triple my salary and become a serial entrepreneur—almost by accident. I owe him a huge thank you for that inspiration.

Website: https://www.theoneday.co

Instagram: @iam_aprilsmith

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprildsmith10

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/april.smith.16503323?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@AprilSmithOfficial

Other: The One Day Instagram Page: @theoneday_official

Image Credits
Ty Pleas
@typleasmedia

Michelle Lee-Dokes
@michelledokesphotography

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