XIV ◄◄◄ From page IV
Before beginning any interior decorating job, Maxi turns to God. He noted that he ensures that he puts his best effort forward, to ensure that any event he decorates for, turns out amazingly well. He works with the layout of a given space. “You have to know where you can put what,” he said. “And it just comes naturally, I analyse the place [and] look at all these different things.” He praises God even more for the ability to
Chronicle Pepperpot February 3, 2019
walk into an empty room and bring his vision for it to life. One of Maxi’s most recent contracts involved décor for an event at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). He noted that over 350 guests were expected for the event. He related that, when the interior decorating was completed two days before the party, the over 300 people present were excited about the décor. “And that’s where I get my joy and my inspiration from, to continue to give people an excellent job,” Maxi affirmed. He said, “If I take your job on, I am
One of Maxi’s Mashramani costume designs (All photos courtesy of Maxi K. Williams)
reliable and I will get the job done 100 per cent, to the best of my ability all the time,” and added, “And that’s how I believe my business has to run and that’s how I do my business and I see success out of it.” Mashramani remains important to Maxi. Instead of waiting to be hired, Maxi took a different route and started up his own Mash band. He was ANSA McAl’s designer for a few years and, when the company ceased participating in the parade, it continued to support his Mash band. “For the past five or six years I’ve been one of the only designers, so far, that has their own Mash camp,” he related. He noted that he has already completed his preparations for this year’s Mashramani. All that is left is to work on the float and that will be done once the truck arrives a few days before Mashramani. “I have a small band that I would normally do comprised of about 50 persons,” he stated. He explained that the band sometimes gets bigger. ANSA McAl remains a stalwart sponsor, while Muneshwers Limited has also come onboard these last two years. “Come Mashramani, once I’m healthy and strong, I have to be there.” This year’s band will reflect El Dorado – the story of the Amazon and the people of El Dorado, according to Maxi. He noted that he is currently working on creating costumes and outfits that are geared toward including more mature people. “If you’re not interested in being in a band, we can still get involved by being cultural,” he said. “Get dressed up, do something on a t-shirt [or] fix up a hat and be a well dressed up spectator.” He further encouraged, “Showcase something, be a part of the celebrations, be proud.” Maxi is working toward being the best in Guyana, the Caribbean and the world. “I want people to be able to contact me in other countries and to hire me to do their weddings,” he said. He related that he is working on being the best that he can be in this life. Lately, he has been making his own props.“Creating props makes your work look different and unique from anybody else,” Maxi pointed out. “My motto and goal in my work is transformation,” he stated. “My element of work must be transformation and quality.” He added, “I work every day to ensure that every opportunity is the best, so that I can be able to be recognised from that quality of work. And, at the end of it you will be successful at what you are doing.”