Today we’d like to introduce you to April Renee Graves.
Hi April Renee, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My background actually began in fashion and design rather than stone. I studied Textiles and Interiors at Seattle Pacific University and later earned my master’s degree in Design from Central Saint Martins in London, where my work focused on multi-sensory branding and how design can create an emotional, human-centered experience. My introduction to Aria Stone Gallery happened somewhat unexpectedly. A close friend who worked in media invited me to an event at the gallery, and I was completely taken by the space and the natural stone. At the time, I was working with a fashion brand and reached out to Aria about using the gallery as the backdrop for an advertising campaign. That initial connection eventually turned into an opportunity to join the company and lead its marketing.
Aria was still a relatively small company when I started, so my role quickly grew beyond marketing. I found myself involved in nearly every part of the business, from branding and operations to product procurement and the overall client experience. Over time, that gave me a very different understanding of natural stone and of what Aria could become. What continues to fascinate me about the material is that it can never truly be duplicated. No two slabs are exactly alike, quarries change, new materials are discovered, and there is always something unexpected to find. Over the years, I helped build Aria’s brand presence, expand our reach into markets including Houston, and develop our digital presence at a time when selling natural stone online was still very unconventional. I was named Partner and Chief Operating Officer in 2020, and today I oversee much of the branding, marketing, product procurement and day-to-day direction of the company.
Looking back, the path from fashion and branding into natural stone makes more sense than I ever would have expected. Both are ultimately about material, composition, emotion and storytelling. Today, I get to apply that creative background to an industry where nature has already created something completely original—we simply have to recognize it, curate it and find the right place for it.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. I came into a traditionally male-dominated industry with a background in fashion, design and branding, so there was a learning curve and a different perspective I had to learn to trust. Aria was also a small company when I joined, which meant wearing many hats and learning nearly every side of the business. Those challenges ultimately shaped how I lead today and taught me the value of trusting your instincts and not being afraid to challenge what’s traditionally been done.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Aria Stone Gallery?
Aria Stone Gallery is a luxury natural stone gallery specializing in hand-selected, one-of-a-kind stones sourced from around the world. At the heart of our philosophy is the belief that natural stone is art—something reflected in our tagline, “Elevating Stone to a Fine Art.” What sets us apart is our approach to curation. We don’t buy from a standard stock list simply to fill inventory; we look for exceptional and unexpected materials that push the possibilities of design. Our slabs are presented in a gallery-like environment where each piece can be appreciated for its individuality. We work with designers, architects and homeowners, offering a highly personal approach to sourcing and selecting stone, including dedicated support for our clients in the Houston market. I’m most proud that Aria has built such a distinct point of view and continues to challenge the way people think about, experience, and use natural stone.
For more information on Aria Stone Gallery, please visit www.ariastonegallery.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ariastonegallery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariastonegallery
