Daily Inspiration: Meet April Russell

Today we’d like to introduce you to April Russell.

Hi April, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstories.
I grew up in the banking and finance industry as my mother worked for a bank. I’ve always been interested in numbers and finance. I started my banking career as a bank teller, worked my way up through various positions, and ultimately became a Loan Officer. I selected the Loan Officer path as I saw this as my way to be in sales but actually to have a good product that I was offering. People need homes, and I would like to help as many people as possible achieve the dream of homeownership.

We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road, but it’s been worth it overall. I’ve experienced the ups and downs with the market. In addition, when I started as a Loan Officer, I didn’t know any realtors, builders, or anyone who could partner with me. I started networking heavily and joined a few organizations so that I could not only volunteer my time but also get to know people. This allowed me to learn more about the people and community I served.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I love what I do! Seeing clients get the keys to their new homes is gratifying. Knowing that I was a part of such a major step for them is an honor. There are several Loan Officers out there, and I don’t take it for granted that realtors and homebuyers choose to work with me. I pride myself on being transparent about the home buying process by ensuring I walk clients through every step, from pre-approval to closing. I am proud to be the first African-American female to join President’s Club at Movement Mortgage. I know this sets me apart, and I take pride in sharing this part of my story. It inspires others in my work to know they can achieve this goal. Someone has to be the first; I’m thankful it was me.

What’s next?
I’m looking forward to furthering my career centered around helping others and being a light in such a dark world. Education is key, and I want to further my efforts in educating home buyers and providing realtors with education about mortgage products and services.

Contact Info:

• Website:www.HomeWithApril.com
• Instagram: @loansbyapril
• Facebook: @AprilRussell

Image Credits
Michael Yarborough of Cinema One Films