April Wild: The founder of WILD & WILD shares her love for life in Cheshire, her commitment to community and the values that drive her business and personal life
Where do you live and why?
I live on the Cheshire/Staffordshire border with my family of six. I love the balance here of beautiful countryside, strong community, wellness spaces and easy access to vibrant towns and cities. It’s the perfect place to raise a family while building a purpose-driven business rooted in connection and wellbeing.
Tell us about your business
I’m the founder of WILD & WILD, a women’s empowerment and wellness community that hosts events, retreats and networking experiences monthly designed to help women thrive in business and life. What began as a small wellness café evolved into a movement after I experienced a personal loss in 2022 of my mother, Dr Dawn Gibbins, who was my biggest inspiration in life and business. Her motto was always ‘dare to be different’, and that ethos now sits at the heart of everything we do, helping women grow in confidence, connection and purpose. My mother went from growing up in a council house to creating a business, Flowcrete, with my father, Mark, in our hometown of Congleton; they took the business to 30 countries worldwide.
How do you instil your personal values into your business life?
Community, authenticity and wellbeing are my core values and they guide every decision I make. Whether it’s creating nurturing spaces at our events, championing collaboration over competition, or encouraging women to prioritise their mental and physical health, I lead the business in a way that reflects how I truly live my life. I want women to feel seen, supported and empowered when they step into any WILD & WILD space.
Tell us about your commitment to philanthropy
Giving back is incredibly important to me. I’m passionate about using my platform to raise awareness around women’s wellbeing, mental health and community support. Through events, collaborations and conversations, we aim to create safe spaces that genuinely help women feel less alone and more empowered. Every month we gift tickets to those in our community who need it most.
What charities are you working with and in what way?
Philanthropy has always been part of who I am. My mum was recognised by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth with the title ‘Pioneer of the Life of our Nation’, was awarded an MBE and received three honorary doctorates for her work in business and community impact. She taught me from a young age that success means very little unless you’re using it to help others.
When I was just 18, she took me onto the streets of Bristol (televised on Secret Millionaire) to volunteer alongside homeless charities, organisations supporting teenage parents and other community projects. Those experiences shaped my outlook on life and I hope to continue following in her footsteps by building a business that gives back.
Our WILD & WILD Wellness Festival in June was held in support of the Buddy Bag Foundation, with 100 per cent of profits donated to the charity. Together with our incredible community, sponsors and partners, we’ve raised almost £5,000 so far, and we’re continuing to accept donations to support the Foundation’s vital work providing emergency backpacks for the 48,000 children and their carers fleeing domestic abuse each year.
We’re also in discussions with East Cheshire Hospice about supporting them through next year’s Wellness Festival, which we hope to host at Capesthorne Hall.
Alongside our larger fundraising events, we support a range of local charities throughout the year. We regularly hold charity raffles and fundraising initiatives at our events for organisations including Visyon, the children’s mental health charity in Congleton and other causes making a real difference across Cheshire.
I believe kindness creates a ripple effect. If every one of us can support someone else, whether that’s through fundraising, volunteering, offering opportunities or simply creating spaces where people feel they belong, we can have an incredible impact on our local communities.
How do you switch off?
Movement and nature are my reset. Running, yoga, breathwork and long walks outdoors help me clear my mind and reconnect with myself. I also switch off by being fully present with my children — family time is everything to me and keeps me grounded amidst the busy pace of entrepreneurship.
Where do you spend your down time?
I love spending time in nature across Cheshire — walks in the countryside, lakeside strolls and cosy coffee spots with friends. Walks to The Edge, Alderley Edge and the surrounding trails are some of my favourites and I’m always discovering new wellness-inspired places to unwind. I love the big running events across Cheshire East, but I also love a spa day at Mottram Hall for the ultimate relaxation session.
What is your most recent Cheshire discovery?
How many incredible female-founded businesses are emerging across Cheshire. The energy, creativity and collaboration within the local business community is inspiring. It feels as if there’s a real movement of women supporting women right now. I recently discovered Coald Club, in Tarporley, for sauna and ice-bath sessions.
What is Cheshire’s best-kept secret?
Its sense of community. Cheshire may be known for its beautiful countryside and affluent towns, but what truly makes it special is the people. There’s a genuine willingness to support one another, collaborate and celebrate each other’s successes..
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