Hi! I'm April Dittmar! 

My journey in the hair industry actually started in middle school.

My hair has always been fine, straight, and sometimes a little flat and lifeless. But I had a lot of it and never really knew what to do with it. So, naturally, I turned to YouTube. I watched countless hours of videos on different braids, curls, and hairstyles, and then practiced them on myself, both of my sisters, and my friends. I even started doing hairstyles for people for homecoming and prom.

I never really thought of it as the beginning of a career. I just knew I loved doing hair.

When I was a senior in high school, I ended up being salutatorian, which meant I was constantly being asked, “What are you going to do after you graduate?” My answer was “I don't know” right up until about a month before graduation.

I started thinking about how much I loved styling hair and decided to get some information about a cosmetology school close to my house. I met with them the next day, and pretty quickly, I knew I was going to go for it.

Not everyone understood that decision.

I was constantly told by schoolmates, teachers, and even friends of my parents, “You're wasting your smarts.” There was a lot of opposition, but despite all of it, I knew the Lord was leading me toward cosmetology. It wasn't the easiest road, but I knew it was the right one.

I graduated from cosmetology school in January of 2020 and got my license on March 19, 2020—quite literally the day before the world shut down.

I was incredibly thankful that I had been able to take my test, but I was also confused. How could I feel so clearly led to get my license, only to suddenly be unable to move forward in my career?

Months went by before salons began opening again. I went on interview after interview after interview trying to find an apprenticeship position.

Nothing.

I struggled with God for months. It was the darkest and lowest point of my life. I wondered, “What is all this for?” and “Why is this happening to me?” I started to wonder if I had been wrong all along. Maybe the beauty industry wasn't for me. Maybe I should just walk away.

But by the grace of God, in November of that year, a friend offered me an apprenticeship position at the salon where she worked. I was hired and started the following week.

The salon was in Weatherford, which meant a 30–40 minute drive for me, but honestly, I was just thankful to have somewhere to start.

That salon got me out of my own way and opened my eyes to what it really meant to be a hairstylist.

In July of 2021, circumstances forced me to start looking for another salon. My boss mentioned a luxury salon and spa closer to Fort Worth that was hiring an assistant, and sure enough, I started there the following month.

I spent my time learning from all of the stylists and taking care of the salon itself. It was one of the most grueling jobs I've ever had, but it was also incredibly rewarding. There were times when I wasn't treated well, was taken for granted, overlooked, or looked down upon. But I continued to show up, do my job, and absorb as much as I possibly could about what it meant to be a stylist.

Then one day, a stylist noticed me and took me under her wing.

Three months later, I was behind the chair—about a year after I had first been hired.

I spent the next two and a half years as a stylist, getting to serve and love on people every day. I loved being able to give my clients an experience that felt luxurious, relaxing, and truly like being pampered.

Eventually, circumstances changed again, and I had to decide whether I wanted to stay or pursue a different path.

I ultimately decided it was time to leave and open April Rose Beauty.

I was ready to be independent, but I was also absolutely terrified. I had no idea what I was doing or what it would take to build a business of my own. Thankfully, the Lord continued to put people in my path who helped me get on my feet, and I've loved every minute of it.

If you had told me back in 2020 that one day I would have my own suite and my own business, I wouldn't have believed you.

This has been the wildest ride I have ever been on—and one that has required me to trust and depend on God for everything, every step of the way. He hasn't failed me yet, and He won't fail me now.

Everything happens for a reason, and there's a reason you found my page. Even if we never meet, I hope my story encourages and inspires you in some way.

And if we do get the chance to meet, I can't wait!

I'm so glad you're here!