When Lucius April founded his company in L’Isle-Verte in 1980, it was, as he puts it, “out of a survival instinct.” Denied access to bank loans, he nevertheless launched his lubricant products business from his own home, using his $20,000 in savings and favourable payment terms offered by a supplier who chose to believe in his potential. 

The Influence of a Mentor and an Unshakable Work Ethic 

Throughout his journey, Lucius has met influential figures, including publisher Pierre Péladeau, who shared a simple rule with him: “To succeed, you need hard work. You need to work smart. Then you need even more hard work.” Added to this ethic was a fundamental value: honesty. For him, customer trust is a more valuable asset than anything else. He also learned to stand out by adopting methods different from those of his competitors. 

The Evolution of a Family Business 

The company took a decisive turn when Nathaly joined the business in 2002. Thanks to her technical knowledge, particularly in chemistry, she helped develop their own products, giving birth to the Superpro brand, which later became April, and transforming the family business into a true manufacturing player. 

Lucius’s story is that of a man who built his company the way you build a house in the middle of a storm: with determination, caution, and an unwavering belief in the value of hard work. 

Picture credit : April