Today we’d like to introduce you to April McLaughlin.
Hi April, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born and raised in Amarillo, TX, where I was taught to treat people the way you want to be treated, the importance of hard work and that there is nothing more important than family. We were a tight-knit family who got together often for birthdays, holidays, and Sunday afternoon lunch. We were always celebrating one thing or another. Little did I know that love of family, love of celebrating at one another’s homes, and the value of hard work demonstrated by my parents and grandparents would be the spark that would ignite my entrepreneurial journey. After I started my own family, I landed a corporate sales job and began climbing the proverbial ladder that eventually moved me to San Antonio. There I was exposed to the Texas hill country for the first time. I was mesmerized by all kinds of new sights, sounds, different cultures and thought, “This place is amazing!”. As the years passed and the corporate job started to lose its luster, I found myself daydreaming of ways to support my family in a more fun and rewarding way. Ideally, something that could support us and allow me to spend more time at home with my kids as they entered their teen years and allow me to share this beautiful part of my beloved Texas. I can’t tell you the exact day it came to me that a wedding venue would offer the best of both worlds for me, but I can tell you that once that seed was planted, the search for the perfect wedding venue was on. As the years went by, my dream only grew bigger and bigger. The plan was to find an existing estate, remodel it to be both my home and a venue. It had to have the right bone structure, acreage, view, and all at the right price. It was quickly apparent that I had a clear vision and no doubts about what I was looking for in the venue down to the finest of details, but nothing ever felt right.
In 2009, things started to move and so did I. I moved to Austin and was again exposed to a new part of Texas even more beautiful than the last. A couple of years later, I unexpectedly met my sweetheart Todd and I fell hard! Timing is everything, and I believe this newfound love was the missing piece to the puzzle. It became the fuel for the fire of my dream. Being in love opened me up to the idea of love and happiness. Being in love lifted me up and allowed me to be divinely guide me to the little piece of land on the west side of Dripping Springs, TX that was destined to become Cricket Hill Ranch. It was the most beautiful, peaceful place I had ever seen in my life. Seeing it and feeling it for the first time was surreal, it still moves me. I recall being overcome as I dug my boot heel into the dirt to draw a line indicating where I would build the wall of windows that would serve as the perfect frame for all those unbelievable sunsets. As an entrepreneur, it is imperative that you be open to all possibilities, open to your calling no matter how crazy it may sound, and it doesn’t hurt to believe in miracles too. With that in mind, I sold everything, including my home, emptied all my accounts, borrowed as much money as the bank would allow, and pushed all the chips to the middle of the table to place my bet. I forged ahead with only faith in things hoped for and evidence of things not yet seen (Romans 11:1). Through a series of miracles and honestly, against all odds, I was able to complete the 12,000 sq. ft. construction project with zero construction experience to begin a wedding business for which I had zero experience and move into my large estate just as my kids were both leaving home. I had no idea what I was doing, but I drew on my faith and the core values I’d learned growing up; treat people the way you want to be treated, work hard and always remember there’s nothing more important than family.
To be an entrepreneur, you must have the ability to adapt to ever-changing circumstances. Most businesses are dynamic in nature, and things will probably not go exactly the way you planned – but there is great satisfaction when you are able to hit the curveballs thrown at you. Cricket Hill took nine months to design and nearly a year to build, and we had our first wedding on March 1, 2014. One month later, Todd and I were married on the spot where we had watched this crazy dream of mine come to life. Next to the day and my kids were born – it was hands down the best day of my life! Cricket Hill Ranch is now celebrating our 7th year in business. We have hosted hundreds of events, met wonderful people from around the globe, and been able to share our home, our dream, our little piece of Texas with the world! Our secret is simple. We treat our clients and guests the way we want to be treated. We take care of them like family and work hard to do whatever it takes to make their dream day magical.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We’ve faced many challenges, but none as great as the pandemic we are enduring right now. After a couple of years of planning for the addition of overnight accommodations, I pulled from my retirement savings and placed my bet yet again by writing a check for two tiny homes on March 6, 2020. The following week, the whole world shut down. It was mandated that all weddings be cancelled, no large gatherings allowed, period. All our events were all cancelled or postponed, no one was calling or coming for tours, and the cutest little cottages you’ve ever seen would sit idle for seven months! Like everyone, I was in shock that this was really happening. It’s scary for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that it’s a deadly virus that seems to have random targets. Honestly, I thought I’d made a huge mistake spending a chunk of savings for the tiny homes, but it was done now, and I had a decision to make. I could quit, which was not on the table or get busy carving a new path for CHR. I leaned on my wedding industry community via virtual meetings to discuss ideas on how we would all survive this nightmare. We began developing packages for elopements and micro weddings to be held outside. We offered video tours that allowed couples to safely see the venue, offered discounts to those new couples booking and we listed our existing accommodations on Airbnb to try to generate some immediate income.
Our business was completely shut down March-June and yet, month after month we miraculously were able to keep the lights on and even booked a few future events. We are booked almost every weekend for 2021 and our Airbnb rentals are proving to be a valuable revenue stream that I never imagined. The cottages are also a nice addition to the wedding experience allowing couples and up to 18 guests to stay on property, making it a fun wedding weekend for families. It seems that 2020 taught my couples an intimate wedding celebration with a small VIP guest list that can make an ordinary wedding extraordinary. Not only because they could spend time with those most special to them, but it also allowed for them to spoil their guest with an extra special menu and wine and music and flowers, all the elements that can make the wedding experience over the top. Here’s what 2020 has taught me, nothing can stop love, not even a pandemic. Couples will still find one another, still fall in love, still get married and yes, still live happily ever after.
We’ve been impressed with Cricket Hill Ranch Wedding and Event Venue, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As the owner of Cricket Hill Ranch wedding and event venue, I get to act as host for some of life’s most important and special events, which is amazing! Cricket Hill is woven into the fabric of our couple’s love stories, and we literally get to send them off on their happily ever after the journey. Can you imagine anything more rewarding? As a small, boutique wedding venue, we get to really know our couples during their wedding journey. We spend time with them planning their perfect day and working hard to bring their vision to life. The real thrill for me is when, at the end of the night, they turn to me and say, “It was Perfect!” – I mean, for me, that’s the juice! Whether it’s one person or a whole group, being a part of making someone’s day “Perfect” is incredible and probably the real reason why I do what I do.
Any big plans?
I’m always planning for what’s next, knowing full well that it will likely be nothing like what I plan out on paper. I believe CHR is such a special place. The land itself has a sacred feel about it. Perhaps because it was once inhabited by Comanche Indians, you can almost feel their wild spirit present southern wind. I’d love to be able to share the experience with even more people, and I think we do this through health and wellness retreats featuring treatments for body, mind, and spirit. The retreats will allow people to slow down and focus on what they need to truly live their best life. We are putting together weekend packages that include life coaching sessions, reiki, massage therapy, hypnosis, and even equestrian therapy. We will likely start hosting girl’s or guys’ weekends complete with a personal driver and chef for up to seven guests. I can see concerts in our future, fundraising events and theme parties, like casino nights or a Great Gatsby style gala. I’m also planning on tons of hugs in the future.
Pricing:
- $5,995
Contact Info:
- Email: info@crickethillranch.com
- Website: crickethillranch.com
- Instagram: crickethillranch
- Facebook: Cricket Hill Ranch
Image Credits
Bride in Tub, CHR Main Entrance, Tiny Cottages, Game Room & April and Todd McLaughlin all courtesy of; Divine Radiance Photography. The photo of April McLaughlin Courtesy of Gaby Deimeke Photography Micro wedding, Fall Head table and couple in pasture at sunset are all courtesy of Raven and Hare Photo
