Women of 280: April Stone - South Shelby Chamber of Commerce

April Stone is the executive director of the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce. The 22-year-old Chamber of Commerce was incorporated in October of 1993 and represents six communities, including Columbiana, Chelsea, Westover, Vincent, Wilsonville and Harpersville. 

Stone has been in chamber work for more than 13 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Montevallo in the area of mass communications. 

“I was working toward a career in television, and I realized that television was not where my interest lied. I began to research new career avenues and found a Chamber of Commerce in Shelby County. I was excited about living and working in the same county,” she said.

She discovered her love for working with communities and business and fostering the growth and development of her county. The mission of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce is “to support stakeholders for the stability and growth of the South Shelby Region by providing service that cultivates economic expansion and growth.”

Stone has been a part of the vibrant growth in Shelby County from the addition of new tourist attractions to the development of new businesses and the growth of employment in the county.

She finds meaning each day in her profession as she works with business owners, and she is inspired by the idea that she can help someone’s business. 

“My favorite part of chamber work is the opportunity to refer someone to a member so they can develop those better business relationships that positively impact their bottom lines,” she said.