April Diez is Chairman of The Diez Group, a company that processes aluminum and steel, handing precision blanking, slitting, laser welding, cut-to-length, configuration, milling, logistics and more for its customers.
Each year, WBENC presents 14 women business owners with the prestigious Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) Star Award, the nation’s premier recognition for excellence among certified women-owned businesses, honoring female owners for their leadership skills, business success, and ability to serve as an inspiration to others.
Meet April Diez, Chairman, The Diez Group
April Diez, Chairman of The Diez Group, took the reins from her father who started the business in 1973, proudly running the company as a second-generation Hispanic businesswoman. Taught by her parents that the formula for success is working hard, learning from your mistakes, and taking care of your community, April knew she had to devote herself to the business, make smart decisions, and take ownership for everything the company did, good and bad. She and her siblings had a lot to learn about running the business, but they were thankful to have the best mentor they could ask for — their father.
April believes one of the most beneficial business decisions they made was becoming WBENC-Certified. Since becoming certified, The Diez Group has grown significantly, offering customers processing in addition to existing warehouse and logistics services, expanding to five states, and adding more team members. Even in growth, as a second-generation business owner, April understands the importance of succession planning and advises other business owners to start their plan sooner than later.
It’s crucial to April and her family that The Diez Group continues to grow and strengthen for generations to come. Fittingly, her proudest moment in business so far is the day her son and nieces started working for the company.
April also understands the importance of giving back to the community. Her philanthropic work includes sitting on several different boards, including Detroit PAL, which helps over 14,000 children a year find purpose and confidence through athletic, academic, and leadership programs. But April and her family don’t do it for recognition, they do it because it’s part of their legacy.
April is “The Legacy-Builder” because she’s passing down the knowledge and wisdom she has gained from being a second-generation businesswoman to ensure her family’s company endures and thrives for generations to come.
Today, April shares guiding words for newly certified WBEs, her advice for new entrepreneurs, and what she views as benefits of being part of the WBENC Network
What guiding words would you like to share with a newly certified WBE who is looking to get involved in the WBENC community?
Do it! Jump in with both feet. You won’t regret it. The knowledge and skill level of the people involved in WBENC, from the staff and corporate sponsors to your fellow women business owners, are invaluable. WBENC succeeds when you succeed.
What advice do you have for a new entrepreneur?
The devil is in the details. Make sure you know your business inside and out and surround yourself with good, smart, honest people you trust.
What do you view as benefits of being part of the WBENC network?
The “working together” aspect is huge. WBENC promotes the women-owned businesses, they are not just collecting fees. WBENC puts stock into businesses succeeding. They mentor, introduce, follow up — the whole package.
The Diez Group includes aluminum and steel sales, service and logistics centers specializing in precision level blanking (exposed, unexposed, scallop, straight and configured), cut-to-length lines (rectangles, trapezoid, and chevrons), laser welding systems, precision slitting lines, washing, oiling, warehousing (capable of handling coils up to 96” OD and 75,000 lbs) and logistics.
The Diez Group makes every effort to support other MBE, WBE, and Veterans by purchasing over 6% of our total purchases with them.
