We had the good fortune of connecting with April MacLean and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi April, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
A while back, a mentor of mine did a lesson on the word “Animus”. Which is that which provokes a strong feeling of hostility. It’s similar to the concept of your own personal why, but with a much more raw and angry edge. My animus is loneliness. It may sound a bit pollyanna-ish, but I believe that most of the hurt in the world stems from people not feeling seen and heard and for a human to feel alone breaks my heart.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our studio has been open for 10 years now. It has been a pretty up and down ride, economically. Creative business models are extremely difficult to navigate. The one consistency has been the people; I’ve been very blessed in that area. Pre-COVID, we were flourishing. I attribute our success to a few things: 1. We have an unwavering belief that dance studios should never feel intimidating, competitive, or build their reputation upon hype or being the “coolest”. Dance is such a fundamental joy and language for expression. We are an 18 and over space and want every adult to know that it’s not too late, and we want you here. 2. Diversity is EVERYTHING. All the colors, all the cultures, all the perspectives. There is such a beautiful richness to it. 3. Business, baby! I’m very business-oriented. I’ve consistently invested in my ability to understand marketing, design, metrics, customer journey, and human resources. Artists can’t afford to neglect these things if they want to progress their work. Post- COVID, we’re truly suffering. I hesitate to say that because there’s so much self-imposed pressure to stay positive. Just today I was in tears on the phone with a friend, who very kindly reminded me that we are not failing. None of us are failing. We were all handed a set of circumstance that is so far beyond our control. We can only take the next best step. And then the one after that.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My best friend is visiting in two weeks, so this will be great practice! We’ll have to pretend all of this is possible right now. Food: One should never visit Riverside without eating lunch at Simple Simon’s. The fresh, easy delicious sandwiches, soup, and salads are the best I’ve ever had. There’s a little place in Corona called “Con Amore”. It’s absolutely incredible. The owners/ chef are a couple from Siciliy. They make all of their Italian morsels from scratch, and are warm and wonderful. If Alfredo comes out and gives you a riddle– call me. I’ve heard most of them and can probably give you answers. If you’re a craft cocktail person, W. Wolfskill or Salted Pig are always serving some truly addicting concoctions. Coffee at Condron is wonderful. They recently started selling plants– lots of lots of plants. It’s a sight to behold. And you’ll have to take a class at Infuse. We so love new faces and there’s a class for every mood you’re in– whether you’re in your feels or want to go hard and perform. In terms of what to see: I love walking around downtown Riverside– it’s a beautiful spot– one I often take for granted.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The community that has been built around Infuse Dance Studio is more than I can hope for in a lifetime. There are days that I simply cannot comprehend how I ended up in a position where I am surrounded by this caliber of dancers and teachers. Outside of my community, there are more people that deserve gratitude than I could possibly name. I didn’t start dancing until I was 25, and if it weren’t for my first teachers, Mark and Rita, who both put with me and believed in me, I’d have had no shot. I have also grown to love the digital community. It can be tricky to build relationships that way, but I am part of some powerfully generous groups (Impact Theory University and altMBA) that constantly challenge me to level up my thinking.

Website: www.aprilmaclean.com
Instagram: @mizmaclean

Image Credits
Rebecca Blue Gabriela Garcia

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