April Showers made history as the founder of Afro Unicorn®—the first Black-owned, woman-founded business to sell licensed character products in major retail stores. Her colorful unicorn character now sits on shelves alongside Mickey Mouse and Disney Princesses in Walmart, Target, HomeGoods, CVS, and thousands of other stores nationwide. The mother of two turned a simple idea into a worldwide movement celebrating Black beauty and self-love.
What started as print-on-demand merchandise has transformed into a multi-category brand spanning over 25 product lines. Showers maintains 100% ownership of her intellectual property while licensing the Afro Unicorn trademark to manufacturers across haircare, apparel, bedding, toys, and books. Her success demonstrates how strategic vision and consistent effort can build generational wealth.
From Entrepreneurial Vision to Retail Revolution
Showers launched Afro Unicorn with bold ambitions from the very beginning. “I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit,” she explained during her recent Mompreneurs interview with host Nancy Redd. Her approach differed from typical startup strategies—she envisioned global success before creating her first product.
She began selling print-on-demand Afro Unicorn merchandise through her own e-commerce website. However, Showers understood that sustainable success required more than just products. Her natural flair for marketing and long-term vision drove her to build a solid foundation for the brand before pursuing major retail partnerships.
Building a Movement Through Social Media Strategy
Showers treated Afro Unicorn as more than just a business venture from day one. “I started Afro Unicorn not as a brand but as a movement,” she revealed. Her mission focused on helping other mothers and entrepreneurial women recognize their own potential and inner strength.
Her grassroots marketing approach involved daily social media engagement with specific goals. “I would have a goal to connect on social media with 50 people to tell them about this movement that I’m building, and I did that everyday,” Showers shared. This consistent effort in online communities laid the groundwork for viral success and created loyal brand advocates.
The Viral Video That Changed Everything
One pivotal moment transformed Afro Unicorn from online movement to mainstream phenomenon. Showers recalled the game-changing viral video: “There was a video of a little girl. Someone walked by her and said, ‘I love your hair.’ And the response was, ‘Thank you, it’s an afro.’ She happened to be wearing an Afro Unicorn shirt.”
The video’s overwhelming positive response demonstrated the power of the community Showers had carefully nurtured. “The viral moment only happened because there was a movement behind it,” she explained. This authentic moment of Black pride and self-acceptance resonated with millions of viewers and caught the attention of major retailers.
Walmart Partnership Opens Doors to Major Retail Success
The viral video’s impact extended far beyond social media engagement—it attracted Walmart’s attention. The retail giant recognized “how this brand was affecting people, and then reached out to me,” Showers recalled. This partnership became the catalyst for Afro Unicorn’s expansion into mainstream retail channels.
Following Walmart’s lead, other major retailers including Target, JCPenney, HomeGoods, and CVS began carrying Afro Unicorn products. The brand’s presence in thousands of stores nationwide proves that diverse characters can achieve mainstream commercial success. Showers strategically positioned Afro Unicorn products alongside established characters, creating equal visibility for Black representation.
Smart Licensing Strategy Maintains Control and Ownership
Showers’ business model centers on intelligent intellectual property management rather than traditional manufacturing. She explained her licensing approach: “I remain 100% owner of the intellectual property (IP)… but I’m able to ‘lease’ out the usage for someone to produce products like haircare or apparel.” This strategy allows rapid expansion while maintaining brand control.
As the IP owner, Showers exercises full authority over product quality and brand concept development. Her licensing model enables partnerships with specialized manufacturers across different categories while preserving ownership rights. This approach generates revenue streams without requiring massive capital investment in production facilities.
Family Legacy and Next-Generation Leadership
Showers built Afro Unicorn as a family business designed to create generational wealth. Her sons have been involved since the company’s inception, learning business operations alongside their mother. Her eldest son now serves as Chief Operating Officer despite being only 17 years old.
“My oldest son… he’s the Chief Operating Officer of Afro Unicorn. He knows everything I know, if not more. He’s 17 years old but he’s been on this journey with me from day one,” Showers proudly shared. This family involvement ensures business continuity while teaching valuable entrepreneurship lessons to the next generation.
Spreading Love and Empowerment Through Media
Beyond retail products, Afro Unicorn promotes positive messaging through various media channels. Showers created “Ms. April’s Crown and Bookstore” web series on the Afro Unicorn YouTube channel, reaching audiences through storytelling and educational content. Her multimedia approach reinforces the brand’s core message of self-love and empowerment.
The movement’s foundation rests on celebrating diversity and natural beauty. “We are all beautiful, we all come in different shades,” Showers emphasized. Through books, videos, and character merchandise, she continues spreading messages of acceptance and confidence to children and families worldwide.
Daily Commitment Creates Extraordinary Results
Showers attributes her success to consistent daily effort rather than secret formulas or shortcuts. “There is no secret sauce or secret formula. I show up every single day,” she explained. Her approach demonstrates how persistence and strategic vision can overcome traditional barriers in retail and licensing.
Her journey from print-on-demand seller to major retailer partner illustrates the power of authentic storytelling combined with business acumen. Showers proves that momprenuers can build household names while maintaining family priorities and creating positive social impact. The Afro Unicorn success story continues inspiring other women to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams with confidence and determination.
