We caught up with the brilliant and insightful April Padilla a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

April, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

One of the biggest risks that I ever took at 29 years old was when I opened my first business, which was a hair salon and spa.. I had been managing and running a big successful salon and spa for years, and at the time my boss and mentor encouraged me to have my own business one day. He knew how ambitious and hungry I was. Little did he know, that his encouragement and leadership led me to start the process during my lunch hour. I opened a business account, researched and found a lawyer, etc. I had no fear. Just ambition and drive to create my own future on my terms.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I got into the food and beverage business as a dare believe it or not from a friend who owned a bar. I was working and running a business at the time, doing well, but was always intrigued by the service industry. My older sister worked as a bartender in college, and I was always amazed at how she did it because at the time I never thought I had the patience to deal with customers in that setting. One day, I was at my friend’s bar and jokingly asked if he needed a bartender, and he was like yes! Two days later, on a busy Thursday night, he had me do a stage shift. All of our friends came to watch me to see if I would pass the test. It was quite a show but I had would it took, and the rest is history. At 27 years old, I had a flourishing career, a part time job bartending making money, and having the time of my life. After selling my first brick and mortar business, I continued to bartend, serve and consult in the food and beverage industry part time until I started Drinks, Dames and Don’s Events, my current business. DDD is an event planning and mobile bartending business that provides those services for clients looking to have any kind of event. We have worked with regular clients, corporate businesses, hotels, private event spaces, museums, and brands to create memorable and personal events. We curate our events to our client’s specifications. No event is the same or ever duplicated. Our event rentals is also a wonderful addition to any event. Our custom champagne walls, photobooth, bouncy house, and ball pit is always a hit at any party!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Surviving the ups and downs of 2024, has given me even more strength and resilience that I didn’t even know that I had. We launched a catering program within our business model, and it was extremely successful but so challenging. After a few months of launching the food program, we decided to go back to working with catering vendors because it was so overwhelming for 2 people. However, when we decide to re-introduce catering to our services, we know what to expect and will be prepared for all of the demands, challenges and expectations. Trial and error is all part of the process of running a business. If you never try, you never know.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The biggest lesson that I learned from having businesses is that employees and collaborators come and go. It is a transient type of business. There are people who have worked for and with me that I loved, and thought we would be working together forever, but life does not work that way. When someone who works for you leaves to pursue their own goals, it is a beautiful thing. I’d like to think I helped foster a wonderful work ethic and environment, and showed them that anything is possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.drinksdamesanddons.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/drinksdamesanddons
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/drinksdamesanddon’s
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/april-padilla-78517a5b
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@aprilpddd?si=7b20wm6DC23Jt0Dc