We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful April Maddox Showers. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with April Maddox below.

April Maddox, appreciate you joining us today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

Launching a new brand for children is already a challenge. Although the brand is for children, the audience we need to capture are adults who pay for kid things. Sure, kids are great at saying “Mommy, Daddy, Glamma, I want that!” But when they have no idea what you are, that won’t happen. We want to party with kids and celebrate their birthdays and any other special events they’d like to celebrate.

Then there’s the product itself. Our brand is a service of performing characters. Real people in costumes, that party with and dance for the kids. There are wardrobe malfunctions, environmental issues beyond our control, and the characters need to enjoy working with us, while they do their best to make the customer happy.

Our service requires a team, and the team has needs as well. Happy teammates are much more dependable.

Having a business of people to serve people, requires heavy lifting of hospitality all around.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My foundation in arts begins with music. I am a singer first! I love music and am super passionate about sharing my voice live on any stage that will have me. I’ve had the opportunity to perform with some of the most talented recording artists and musicians in the industry, around the world.

Spending years of my life in shows and behind the scenes has made production a natural step for me. Producing events and creative projects, allows me to bring my passion for all the arts, together. Color, Sound, Light, and Fun!

Sun Shine Rain Party takes my experience and skills in performing arts and combines it with my passion for youth encouragement. For many years I was the “youth arts” lady in the lives of many Atlanta youth. Sun Shine & Rain were characters created for a TV Show that never took off. I definitely was not experienced in TV Show creating.

However, I definitely know how to create and deliver a quality show. So, Sun Shine and Rain are here for that! This girl group for kids is the ultimate party starter!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Be Undeniable. This brand is leading me. My vision for Sun Shine and Rain was not big enough. I was limiting what it could be based on what I am able to give it. However, people want more from us. We were creating a service that comes to you, but, you want to come to our party.

We didn’t expect to be planning for our own storefront, but it is the main focus for us. We desire to open the doors of our own magical party space, Spring of 2023.

I’m driven to continue to create and provide a service that can’t be denied. The look and experience of a Sun Shine Rain Party should be the most Beautiful, Wonderful, Marvelous time for Atlanta’s girls.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I was literally thinking about “giving up”, just the other day. No, I was not planning to give up. I realize that non-creatives struggle to understand why there is a new creation, a new project, a new design when the last creation did not make me famous or rich.

Oh, but it was amazing! The performers I work with are always brilliant because I choose to go out of my way to work with great talent. I learn so much more from other professional creatives. Art is magical when we do it together!

Art has no limits and is forever. As a creative it matters, what others feel about your art. When you succeed in making people feel something, you’ve made great art.

I will always create. It is who I am and part of God’s purpose for me. My ability to bring sound, color, movement, lyrics, and scripts together is one I don’t take for granted. I want artists to enjoy creating with me, and I want you to enjoy everything we share with you.

As a married woman, with a full-time job, balance is very challenging. My husband is not a creative. Can you imagine how he sacrifices, when projects don’t bring an ROI? For him, it feels like a waste.

Why does he continue to support me? Because he sees excellence in my productions. I’m so grateful for that support. This sacrifice makes me commit to being undeniable this go’ round. Respect your investors and don’t take anyone who helps you, for granted. Everyone who does something for your business is investing in you.

Your friends and family are not passionate about your business, but they want you to succeed. Know what you need from them before you ask for help. Be ok with them NOT knowing how to create with and for you. Always get more help than you need. Help your friends and family not have to work too hard for too long. You will need them again. My sister, my BFF, my niece, my church friends, my work friends, everyone is always willing to help, when they can. Don’t over-extend your friends and family.

Have something to show for it! If you are going to blow money, blow some on video. That too, can be a challenge, but don’t let your project exist without being able to experience it forever.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sunshinerainparty.com
• Instagram: @sunshinerainparty
• Facebook: Sun Shine & Rain Party
• Youtube: Sun Shine & Rain

Image Credits
Images by Sun Shine Rain Party