Today we’d like to introduce you to Ayers Kiana.
Hi Ayers, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I have been a Registered Nurse for more than 20 years. I also had a love for lactation as I breastfed my own children. People also seem to be intrigued by my breastfeeding experience and I didn’t understand it because I come from a family where all the women breastfeed. I went to work for a large Medicaid company and they did not have anywhere for women to express their breastmilk. I approached the CFO and she agreed to give me a budget to create a lactation room for employees. I then started to think of the families on Medicaid who did not have lactation support. I developed a lactation program for Medicaid families which supported hundreds of families throughout the metro Atlanta area. I am now continuing that work on my own through my private company Mamas and Tatas Lacatation Consults and Childbirth Classes. I also started a non-profit Ready Set Push to be able to offer free or reduced cost offerings for families who receive Medicaid and/or food stamps in GA. I am privileged to be able to provide quality prenatal education for families to help them make choices that will increase their chance of a vaginal birth and a successful breastfeeding experience.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has definitely not been smooth. I loved what I created at my job and was able to help lots of families that way. I knew that I could do more by leaving the job but I worried about finances and if I would be able to be successful as an entrepreneur. I have been gone from my job for almost six months now and couldn’t be happier with my choice. It’s so scary to leave perceived stability and follow your dreams but it’s also exhilarating to do things the way you know they need to be done. It’s still a struggle, it seems to be feast or famine. But overall I am so happy to support families and to provide a much needed service especially on the southside of Atlanta where these types of services are not plentiful. I also struggle with my desire to help low income families and have not figured out how to get grants yet. I still provide the service and know that the money will come. I also find it hard to do all the admin tasks that come along with owning a small business. I’m learning more every day and expect that things will get better and better.
We’ve been impressed with Mamas and Tatas, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a Registered Nurse and am known for being an IBCLC; a certified Lactation Consultant. I am most proud of the fact that I try to give my all to every family that I serve. The thing that sets me apart from others is that I have the unique perspective of breastfeeding all four of my own children through many different challenges to include teen mom, NICU mom, single mom, working mom and married mom with multiple small kids. This helps to identify where a family is in their journey and I can adopt care plans based on everyone’s individual circumstances. I am most proud of my brand being associated with trustworthiness and integrity. I would like families to know that I offer services from the beginning of your pregnancy all the way into the postpartum. I can help you learn all you need to know to have a successful birth and breastfeeding journey. I’d also like them to know that the right information can mean a world of difference for your outcomes. Get your birth team together early in your pregnancy to help you have the confidence you need to make healthy choices for you and your unborn baby.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I would love the opportunity to build relations with OB/GYN offices who want an ongoing program of education for their families and with pediatricians who need a lactation consultant to refer their clients to. I’d also like to do more classes for health departments so the offerings could be accessed by our most at risk moms.
Pricing:
- Childbirth Class- Full series 450.00
- In home Lactation Consult- 220.00
- In office Lactation Consult- 75.00
- Hospital Grade Breast Pump Rental- 20.00 per week
Contact Info:
- Email: info@mamasandtatas.com
- Website: www.mamasandtatas.com
- Instagram: @mamasandtatas
- Facebook: Kiana Ayers
