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Inspiring Conversations with Ayanna Keeling

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Ayanna Keeling.

Hi Ayanna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello, I am the second generation co-owner of Simply Wholesome Health Food Store and Restaurant located in Los Angeles, California. I am also a creative with a knack for public relations and strategic communication. I knew that I wanted to be involved in the world of media; whether print media, broadcast media or social media. I attended Immaculate High School in Los Angeles, California; which is a college preparatory school for young women. Throughout high school, I was introduced to social media for the first time and I knew then, how important it was to be connected and stay connected with the people around me. At the time, I didn’t understand the power of social media, but I enjoyed the idea of being able to keep in touch with my friends – even from a distance. After high school, I graduated with a Bachelors degree in Human Communication and a minor in Business Marketing from California State University, Monterey Bay. I worked for several media companies, such as: 102.3 KJLH, Black Entertainment Television and VH1. I learned firsthand how communication plays an essential role in effective PR. The Entertainment Industry is a very exciting yet fast-paced environment, and at the time, it was the perfect place for me to enhance my skills as a young entrepreneur. In 2014, I graduated with a Masters in Public Relations & Advertising from California State University, Northridge.

In my early to mid-twenties, I juggled my desire for show business with my need to give back, and throughout my late twenties; I focused less on the red carpet and more on my mental health. I switched careers, and dived into the nonprofit sector. It was a fun and self-fulfilling career to have because we focused on raising funds for suicide prevention. This job helped me understand how fortunate it is to have a voice and feel comfortable in your own skin, as both elements work in tandem with each other. As a child, I always struggled with public speaking, and I wanted to overcome my fear of anxiety so I promised myself that I would work towards this goal. Fast forward through the pandemic, I landed at Simply Wholesome, which is my family’s business. To say everything comes full circle is an understatement. My parents wanted me to obtain some “real life” experiences so I can learn how to build my own network. I’ve been able to utilize the skills I’ve learned elsewhere to enhance the marketing and overall branding of the family business. It’s been such a pleasure working alongside my loved ones, and I wouldn’t trade my experiences for the world.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I personally do not think anything worth having comes easy. I’m fortunate enough to have parents that worked extremely hard to provide for their family. Their work ethic taught me to fight for what I want and work hard to maintain it. Because I’m a woman, I’ve always had an urge to be independent and self-sufficient. I taught myself at an early age the importance of assets versus liabilities; reality versus fantasy; love versus lust, etc. My experiences in college and as a young adult in general fluctuated so often that I started to have tunnel vision. I tried my hardest to stray away from distractions that would interfere with my happiness, and apparently, those distractions included several people in my life. Luckily, I was able to build a strong support system at Immaculate Heart High School and throughout college, as I’m still best friends with these women to this day. I’m also very fortunate to work alongside my sister, who is my better half. Their friendship helps mold my daily life, as I’m able to bounce ideas off of them and also learn from their experiences. In my eyes, the people I surround myself with will either hinder or help me become the best version of myself, and I will always choose the latter.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?

Simply Wholesome has been serving the Los Angeles community since 1984. My family started the business in hopes of bringing health and wellness to the Black community. My father, in particular, grew up in Inglewood, California and my mother was born in Trinidad. My father was tired of having to travel West to find healthy food options, and he wanted to be a part of something bigger than himself. As a teenager, I worked at the restaurant to gain some experience. I didn’t realize how important the establishment was to the community until I got older. Now that I’ve been working in this capacity for the past few years, it’s been such a blessing to witness the community’s love and support firsthand.

Because of the pandemic, I lost my previous job, but fortunately I was able to start working with my family. My parents have always stressed the importance of entrepreneurship, and the ups and downs that come with working for yourself. It’s an invigorating and revitalizing learning lesson for most young women to experience. It’s interesting to feel this way, but it’s a REAL feeling that I’m sure a lot of people can relate to. Entrepreneurship is definitely a journey because there are no “off days.” There is no “9 to 5,” so prioritizing your time at work and your personal time is crucial. The benefits are endless when working with people you trust because you know that you have each other’s best interest at heart, even when you may not agree with every decision.  This pandemic has definitely been an interesting ride for my career, but honestly, I’m happier than I’ve ever been.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?

The phrase “we are who we hangout with” is something I live by. I’m adamant about surrounding myself with positive, hardworking individuals who have dreams and goals like I do. The conversations that I have with my current friends on a daily basis keep me going. We all need a strong support system, and my girls do that for me. With everything going on in the world, it’s refreshing to have REAL friends in my life who care about my future, but will also tell me when I’m wrong. To answer your question, “real friendship and real conversations” are qualities that I feel are most important to my success. We should never be the smartest person in the room; if so, we’re in the wrong room.

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