A. George Consulting is a full service marketing firm located in Fairburn, Ga., just outside Atlanta, which offers a a broad range of product marketing and design services nationwide and specializing online marketing, website development, social media consulting and print media.
Meet its founder and owner Ayanna George.
What inspires you to show up at work every day?
Knowing that my life would change if I did not work, network or gain new opportunities on a daily bases. As a single woman, parent and entrepreneur my inspiration comes from knowing that I am on the right path in my life and doing what makes me happy. Opting to work for myself was one of the greatest decisions of my life and I have experienced some of the hardest times of my life since that moment in time but I am still inspired knowing that I am “working/ hustling” for a cause the Better Life and Future of ME foundation.
How did you determine your career path?
My career path was determined by my past failures. My life has not been a story of “great opportunities” when I was 18 and already had a child, I worked third shift at a call center while during the day I liked to watch HGTV television channel along with other cable Design or Home Improvement shows. From that point I was determined to make it some way or somehow in the interior design industry. After attending college and seven years within the interior design industry I was laid off of work (another failure moment that changed my life) which is what started my new career path of graphic design and online marketing. Talents that started out as a hobby or something I maintained for my employers now turned into a career that I set my own destiny.
What other industries connect to your career choice?
Interior design, art, business and marketing
Describe the skill sets that are essential to future business leaders and innovators.
The ability to change or reinvent your business, brand and thought process.
Define innovative methods you apply to your business and life.
With business I constantly go online and follow trends by using social media, YouTube along with searching other websites. Once, I notice a great new trend or am inspired to create something that I know others would also be inspired from, I go to work developing my idea. Staying updated on the various software programs by watching tutorial videos is another innovative method I incorporate into my weekly goals. On my personal side I use positive thinking and faith in myself to complete anything I set my mind to.
How do you set goals and evaluate your success?
I set goals on a daily, weekly and monthly time frame. Each day I set at least three (3) goals that I must complete and ultimately fulfill my weekly or monthly goals. I consider my day to be successful by being able to complete each goal set for that day. It could be very simple goals such as making a phone call, or completing a project. I make small and large “long term” goals, my short goals provide me with the confidence to complete the long term goals.
Who do you consider peers in your field? Who is setting a great example of best practices?
I consider my peers to be other online marketing individuals – bloggers, YouTube stars, Facebook/ Twitter personalities. The World Wide Web and social media has created a new industry where just about anyone can have a following. Some really great online personalities that I feel have great practices with social media marketing are Jenna Marbles on YouTube and Rev. Run DMC on Twitter.
How do you stay abreast of changes in your field?
By watching lots and lots of YouTube and following high profile Facebook and Twitter users. Typically I can stay on top of what others in my industry are doing, trending topics, videos or photos. Using my smart phone, laptop or even my desk top pc- usually I am not too far from some form of internet connection.
Name your favorite role models for success in two industries.
Of course I am going to say Oprah, she is one of the most inspiring African American females of our time. The story of coming from humble beginnings and being able to make such a great impression on society. The second person I feel is a role model for success: Martha Stewart. I admire Martha Stewart because she has great business sense, is very creative and has a lot of the same hobbies I enjoy.
Names three books that changed how you saw life that you would recommend to others.
Your Word is your Wand by Florence Shinn
Money Blessings by Cicely Bland
Mama by Terry McMillan
Explain why lifelong learning is important to you.
Because in today’s day in time to be able to constantly re-invent, adapt to change and learn something new has become the way of survival not only for the common person but even poplar music artist, actors or celebrities must also evolve into new things which I consider a form of life learning.
Describe the voice of success that you hear in your head.
The voice in my head sounds like the R. Kelly song- I believe I can Fly but with my signing it (which I am completely tone-deaf). – Don’t judge me.
Community success based on what you do in the community means what to you?
Community success means being able to provide a positive image for the city or state of which I live.
What role does technology play in your daily life?
Technology plays a very important role in my daily life- My day revolves around me being either connected to the computer, working on my laptop or checking my phone. With social media marketing I must stay connected to new forms of technology using different equipment to film videos or software to edit the video. New forms or ways to create graphics and complete projects just contributes to the improvement of my daily life.
What software and technology tools have made the biggest difference in your life?
Sony Vegas- I love that program. It took me days to learn and understand After effects by Adobe and only hours to learn Sony Vegas for video editing. Right now the Sony Vegas software has change the direction of my company by allowing me to be time efficient with my projects increasing my profits.
How do music and cultural events define your self-identity?
I love music and staying current with cultural events but I do not let either define my self-identity. If a person is defined by with the music or cultural they are experiencing they would most likely be a very bi-polar person. I enjoy watching and staying on top of trends but find that its most helpful to me as a conversation topic.
Define your personal culture.
My personal culture is I would say is old school. I believe in hard work and dedication to anything worth having. I often use metaphors to sum up life lessons or long stories which a lot of my friends think is very “old school.”
Describe your favorite vacation spot.
Anywhere near water- I love vacationing near a beach or water park. My mother use to take my family when I was growing up to the beach on a very frequent basis and a parent myself that is one thing I have continued as a family vacation to the beach at least once a year.
If you could change one thing about the world, what would you change?
The economy system, I would no-longer have one. Everything would be free and resources, food, shelter anything a person needed to survive and life day to day would be free. By eliminating money this will allow people to develop their individual interest without financial obligations.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would you change?
The only thing I would change about myself is my ability to predict the lottery. I often play the lottery hoping to win; I have friends who play numbers that we have dreamed about or if a certain number falls on other lottery games. It now has become one of my most crazies past-times of selecting cash-3 numbers to play.
