Inspiring Conversations with Ayana King of Maximum Communications

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ayana King.

Hi Ayana, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story. 
Before launching Maximum Communications in 2018, I worked in the senior living industry in corporate communications. I loved the industry – and still do – but I’d spent some time learning about diversity and inclusion, and the obvious lack of both, particularly in senior living, was bothersome. Unhappy with the work environment, and unable to share my true feelings about what I’d experienced, I finally set out on my own to launch a consultancy that would help professionals advocate for more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplaces. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t always been smooth, but all the bumps in the road have proved helpful in the long run. From the beginning, I realized I had a lot to learn. I’d never owned a business before, so marketing to the right network was a huge challenge. Unfortunately, many of the professionals in my network didn’t know much about diversity and inclusion and didn’t understand how learning about it would benefit them. I spent the first couple years in business trying to convince other small business leaders why advocacy makes sense for both their stakeholders and their bottom line, but it was very difficult. With some trial and error, I finally found ways to connect with partners that are interested in collaboration and who see differences as valuable — not unavoidable additions to the workplace. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Maximum Communications is a consultancy devoted to Diversity and Inclusion education and advocacy. A champion for equity, we work diligently to help end racism, ageism, and other threats to humankind through engaging workshops and collaborative partnerships. We facilitate in-person collaborative learning experiences and webinars across industries nationwide, consulting with executive teams to help navigate critical conversations, and we support C-suites in cultivating the diverse, inclusive, and innovative teams of tomorrow. 

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
We believe in life-long learning, and we believe collaboration creates community. 

Contact Info:

• Website: getmaxcomms.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayana-king-maximumcommunications/