Meet April Padilla

We were lucky to catch up with April Padilla recently and have shared our conversation below.

April, thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?

I think being raised in a home of achievers over achievers, and my father and family being immigrants, instilled incredible resilience and a fierce and strong willingness to achieve and overcome no matter the obstacle at hand. With no risk there is no reward. Seeing my parents pivot as professionals, elevating their lives and careers, and never taking no for an answer despite success and failure, was hugely inspirational and rewarding.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Hi,

My name is April Padilla and I am the owner of Drinks, Dames and Don’s Events in Chicago, IL. We have been in business for 4 years, and I ironically started the business during the height of the pandemic. My background is originally in public relations and business management in the entertainment, beauty, and hospitality industries.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Tenacity
Resilience
Adjustment

I think you have to first know that every day will be different on this journey of entrepreneurship. There are some days that are great, some awful, some days that start great and end bad, and vice versa. You have to be resilient, adjust, make changes all the time, and love what you do. If there is no passion, then you will be miserable. There are days, I want to quit and then something great happens, and I keep going.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I love collaborating with other creative vendors who work in the event space. There is room for all of us, and we each carry skills that the other might not have. I love working with different florists, chefs, pastry chefs, balloon vendors, and entertainers.

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