07/14/2026
One of the greatest gifts of building a business isn’t the business itself. It’s the people. Some people come into our lives for: a reason, a season or a lifetime. No matter the reason or season they all play important parts.
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou
This Sunday I had the pleasure of grabbing breakfast with Maxine, who was part of the AMK family for many years. She’d moved away and it had been many years since we got to see eachother.
I was able to bring my two youngest boys with. One is 4yo and the other is 5yo, and as we drove there, I was telling my boys that I expected them to behave and be respectful. To allow me time with my friend because of how important she is to me and how much of the life we have today exists because of people like Maxine and so many others who have poured their hearts into AMK over the years. Every employee has helped build something so much bigger than a cleaning company. They’ve helped build opportunities, memories, and a life our family is incredibly grateful for.
Then as we were finishing up our time together she shared something with me that I wasn’t expecting. She told me that I had made a meaningful impact on her life and wanted me to know what a good person I am. I got tears in my eyes while she shared with me stories in her own life of how she sees, holds and loves other people and total strangers around her.
If I’m honest, Maxine impacted me that day more than she will ever know. She confirmed that what we are building at AMK has a bigger effect than I even realized, and gave me confirmation to stay the course. That prioritizing our people will and always should come first. That taking care of people will take care of the business.
The people who have come through AMK have shaped me just as much as I may have shaped them. They have trusted me, challenged me, believed in a vision, cared for our clients, and helped build something that none of us could have built alone. I’m starting to see the next level of leaders getting to live the AMK Way and what a blessing it is to see leaders, build and lead leaders of future leaders.
I left breakfast reminded that success isn’t measured only by revenue, awards, or growth. It’s measured by the lives we touch, the relationships we build, and the people who continue cheering each other on long after our paths have changed.
For anyone reading this I just wanted to share this experience to remind everyone you matter. And please remember that you have an opportunity to see people around you and make an impact. In their life, in their day or even just in the moment in passing with total strangers even. Share love and kindness in this world at every chance you can. Max reminded me that day that it does all matter even when we are unsure.
Maxine Wilborn, thank you. I’m so grateful our paths crossed, and I’m even more grateful that they still do. ❤️
Til next year my friend, another reason for you to take a vacation! 😘
-Ashley Bender
