The SAVEDpreneur™ Spotlight: April Sheris, Founder of Upland Studios & Upland Tea House
In the world, success is often measured by profit, recognition, or accolades. In the Kingdom, success is measured by obedience, faithfulness, and impact.
Meet April Sheris, the founder and principal of Upland Studios & Upland Tea House, and a woman whose life is a living testimony. From surviving a lightning strike in 2010 to building a business rooted in preserving human stories, April operates at the intersection of faith, artistry, and legacy. As a Luxury Literary Architect, she doesn’t just tell stories — she protects them.
Let's lean in.
Tell us who you are and what is your God-driven purpose?
I am April Sheris, founder and principal of Upland Studios & Upland Tea House, a space where stories are preserved, experiences are curated, and people are reminded that their lives matter. My God-given purpose is to protect and elevate human stories, to ensure that generations know God has moved mightily through ordinary people, and to create spaces where every lived experience is honored and connected to a greater purpose. I believe my purpose is to act as a steward of life’s narratives — helping people see that their stories, gifts, and experiences are never wasted and always part of a larger Kingdom plan.
Who first introduced you to God and what was your salvation experience?
I was first introduced to God through my grandmother, who raised me with faith as the foundation of every decision, conversation, and moment. She passed in February 2025, but her faith continues to guide me daily. My salvation experience, however, was profoundly personal and life-altering: In 2010, I was struck by lightning. In those moments, when life itself hung in the balance, I knew with unshakable clarity that God had a plan for me far greater than I had ever imagined. He spared my life to finish a purpose I hadn’t even fully seen yet. That experience reshaped me — it taught me vulnerability, dependence, and trust in His timing, and it clarified that my gifts, my calling, and my work are not just for me — they are to reflect His glory and to impact lives in ways I could not accomplish alone.
Success in the Kingdom looks different from the success of the world. How do you explain the difference?
In the world, success is often measured by profit, recognition, or accolades. In the Kingdom, success is measured by obedience, faithfulness, and impact.
I have learned that no move I make, no work I undertake, is effective unless it is God-led. I am a protector of human stories — not for fame, but for legacy. My work ensures that every experience, every triumph, and even every struggle is archived for generations to know God’s hand was in it. Collaborating with countless individuals over the years has shown me that God entrusts us with authority when He knows we can steward it faithfully. Kingdom success is about aligning what you do with God’s greater purpose, ensuring every life touched reflects His goodness.
What does having “vision” mean to you? What is your vision?
Having vision means seeing beyond the present moment into what God wants to accomplish through you and with you. Vision is the ability to perceive the potential in people, projects, and moments before anyone else does, trusting that God is orchestrating every detail. My vision is to create a legacy of stories, artistry, and experiences that connect hearts, generations, and communities to a greater Kingdom purpose. Through Upland Studios & Upland Tea House, I curate literary, creative, and culinary experiences that preserve culture, honor humanity, and showcase the excellence God has placed in each of us.
What does being a SAVEDpreneur™ mean to you? What is your kingdom assignment and how are you carrying out your assignment now?
Being a SAVEDpreneur™ means doing business with Kingdom principles at the forefront — letting God lead, stewarding resources faithfully, and prioritizing legacy over recognition. My Kingdom assignment is to archive, honor, and elevate human stories. I carry out this assignment by creating bespoke publishing opportunities for individuals to tell their truths, curating collaborative projects that highlight talent, and maintaining spaces like my tea house that bring people together in intentional, purposeful ways. Every partnership, every project, every story I help preserve is a step toward fulfilling this calling.
What did God call you to build, and how did you know? What steps did you take to be obedient? How quickly did it take you to answer the call?
After my wake-up call in 2010, God called me to open the doors of publishing, a path I never imagined for myself. I knew this was His direction through persistent clarity in prayer, unexpected opportunities, and people He placed in my path. Some were ready to walk with me immediately, some needed nurturing — and my obedience required patience and trust. I followed His instructions faithfully, building infrastructure, trusting collaborators, and listening closely to His guidance. I answered His call as quickly as I could, even when the path was uncertain, knowing He equipped me for every step.
Where did obedience cost you something—money, time, identity, approval? And how did you handle the tension?
Obedience has cost me more than I ever expected — emotionally, spiritually, and relationally. The greatest test came with the loss of my firstborn child, also in 2025. In that moment, my faith felt fragile, my identity as a mother and a steward of God’s gifts felt shattered, and I wrestled with a sense of abandonment. I questioned God, felt distant from Him, and at times, even wondered if He had misdirected me.
Yet, in the rawest edges of my grief, when I was stripped of control and certainty, I began to sense His presence — not as an abstract comfort, but in the exposed cracks of my pain.
He met me in the silent moments of my tears, in the heaviness that made me feel unrecognizable even to myself. It was a slow, painstaking journey back to trust, but His reassurance was constant, whispering in ways only I could feel. Over time, those whispers became undeniable affirmations that my life, my work, and my obedience still mattered, that His purpose for me was not derailed by my suffering.
Obedience cost me a sense of security, certainty, and immediate understanding, but it also revealed the depth of God’s faithfulness in a way I could never have known otherwise. I am still on this journey — still learning, still walking through moments of uncertainty — but I know now, more than ever, that I am not alone. God’s hand carries me through the valleys, and even in the most painful moments, He is shaping me to steward His work with greater clarity, empathy, and resilience.
What upcoming projects are you working on that you want our readers to know about?
We are thrilled to be working with Southern Soul legend Ronnie Bell on a collaborative series that celebrates the intersection of music, culture, and storytelling. In addition, we’re partnering with former NFL player Dontrell A. Johnson on projects that honor personal legacy, perseverance, and purpose-driven living. Both collaborations embody my mission of connecting human stories to a greater Kingdom purpose, highlighting excellence, and creating lasting cultural impact.
What is the best way for our readers to keep up with you?
I welcome connection on Instagram:
@AprilSheris // @Upland.Studios // @Sip.Upland
