Her Story
About April
April M. Robbins serves as President and Co-Founder of Angel Buck Corporation, a manufacturing company based in Bunker Hill, Illinois, specializing in natural insect repellent sprays and candles made from herbs grown on her own property. She founded the company in 2019 after nearly 25 years of operating her own tax accounting business. Seeking a career that would allow her to pursue her passion for gardening and the outdoors, Robbins transformed her interest in cultivating herbs into an innovative entrepreneurial venture. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a specialization in Entrepreneurship from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, fulfilling her longstanding ambition of owning and building her own business.
Robbins began developing Angel Buck Corporation after discovering that herbs such as lavender and peppermint cultivated on her property naturally helped repel insects. She researched, developed, and tested formulations to create high-quality, chemical-free products designed to provide a natural alternative to conventional insect repellents. Through dedication to product development, quality, and customer needs, the company has grown to have its products carried in approximately 300 stores throughout the Midwest. Robbins also maintains membership in UL WorkSafe, supporting her commitment to workplace safety and compliance as the company continues to expand.
A strong believer in persistence, focus, and perseverance, Robbins attributes her success to maintaining a clear vision, staying committed to her goals, and refusing to give up when faced with challenges. Her entrepreneurial journey reflects the importance of following one’s passion while remaining disciplined and adaptable in business. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Robbins places tremendous value on family and flexibility, particularly the ability to spend meaningful time with her grandchildren. She enjoys sharing her love of gardening and the outdoors with them, carrying forward the same appreciation for nature that her grandmother instilled in her.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with April
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance, hard work, and staying focused on my goals. There have been many moments when I have questioned whether I made the right decision or wondered what I had gotten myself into, but I have never allowed those challenges to make me give up. I believe success requires showing up every day, remaining committed to your vision, and continuing to move forward even when the path becomes difficult.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to pay attention to opportunities that come from your own experiences and passions. After nearly 25 years in the tax accounting business, I decided to pursue my love of gardening and the outdoors, inspired in part by my grandmother’s influence. When I discovered that the herbs I was growing could naturally help repel insects, I saw an opportunity to turn that discovery into a business. I began researching and developing natural candles, and when local stores responded positively, their interest eventually led to requests for insect repellent sprays. That experience taught me to remain open-minded, trust my instincts, and have the courage to turn an idea into an opportunity.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to not let difficult days discourage you. Challenges and setbacks are inevitable, but each new day brings another opportunity to learn, grow, and move forward. I encourage women to remain open-minded, persistent, and determined, even when the path does not go as planned. Sometimes one door may close, but another will open, and success often comes from having the resilience and determination to keep moving forward until you find the right opportunity.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in my industry is building consumer trust and establishing credibility as a growing, lesser-known brand. Because our products are natural and may be unfamiliar to consumers, it is important to demonstrate that they are legitimate, high-quality products that we stand behind. Building that trust also creates opportunities to strengthen relationships with retailers, who need confidence that our products will resonate with their customers and generate sales. My focus is on consistently delivering quality, standing behind our products, and building a strong reputation that earns the confidence of both consumers and retail partners.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in my industry is building consumer trust and establishing credibility as a growing, lesser-known brand. Because our products are natural and may be unfamiliar to consumers, it is important to demonstrate that they are legitimate, high-quality products that we stand behind. Building that trust also creates opportunities to strengthen relationships with retailers, who need confidence that our products will resonate with their customers and generate sales. My focus is on consistently delivering quality, standing behind our products, and building a strong reputation that earns the confidence of both consumers and retail partners.
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