The Everyday Storyteller

Running a business with a partner is a unique journey filled with shared aspirations, hurdles, and accomplishments. Unlike the conventional image of a solo founder, women in partnerships have unique narratives to share. Your founder story is a powerful tool for shaping your brand, connecting with your audience, and inspiring others. If you're in a business partnership, here are my tips for cra...

Aida. Is it a tragic Italian opera or a hack for crafting compelling stories? I'm talking about AIDA: Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action—the key to stories that get your customers to act. Start with Attention : Grab your audience with a captivating hook—a question, fact, or anecdote. If it's an email, the subject line can be your hook. Interest : Build it with context—characters, sett...

When you view your website or social media profile, does it feel like looking at a stranger rather than a familiar face? Life changes, priorities shift, and customers evolve. It's natural. And when they do, make sure you revisit your core story, like your purpose, vision, and values, and other stories like product success or customer stories. If they don't align with who you are or who you...

Have you ever sat in a Pret a Manger in Paddington and cried? I have. It wasn't pleasant, but it taught me a crucial lesson. Over four years ago, I consciously uncoupled from the marketing agency I co-owned. Things hadn't been working for a while. It was a mutual "It's not you, it's me" situation. As hard as it was to leave a lucrative business and a team I helped grow, i...

They say don't mix business and family. Seeking their opinions can limit your growth. Loved ones, with the best intentions, may emotionally invest in your well-being, leading to phrases like, "Shouldn't you just find a proper job?" that can knock your confidence. Through the work I do, I’ve seen many of my clients struggle to share their real stories. They grow when confidently s...

Anxiety creeps in, haunted by past worries or criticism. Self-doubt is very normal but what if those stories persist, and your inner critic won't quiet down? For many women, it can hinder our true potential. So, how do we silence those nagging voices? I like to face them head-on. List your self-limiting stories: "I'm not good enough," "I failed last time I tried something ne...

Let's get real – back-to-school photos. We all know you're proud of your little one dressed in their finest, but does anyone else care? Do you even care? Or is it just a case of "everyone else is doing it, so I must too”? I have to admit, I'm guilty of it too. When my daughter started primary school, there I was, snapping away and posting it on Facebook with #proudmummy. So I'...

This summer I spent an unforgettable week on Croatia's Kolocep island at the incredible Kalmota Beach Hotel . The perfect blend of privacy and attentive staff left us with smiles and endless stories to share. In business, we all aim for those memorable moments that leave customers raving and spreading the word. Word-of-mouth marketing is priceless, stronger than any sales copy. So, how do you...

Picture this: over beers, my friend and I discovered we used the same supplier, drawn in by their values-driven promise. But reality didn't match the story we were sold, leading to disappointment. We vented our frustrations, not the brand's desired outcome, right? I'm not naming names, but I'm sharing this tale to highlight the consequences of saying one thing and doing another in...

Let's talk about overcoming fear. Like wearing shorts in summer, using your voice can be scary. But it shouldn't hold you back. Both require vulnerability and overcoming the fear of judgment. Using your voice leads to empowerment and growth, just like wearing what you want brings liberation. Overcome the fear, step out of your comfort zone, and embrace vulnerability. Express yourself freel...

Welcome back to Season 3 of The Everyday Storyteller! Today, we're diving into the beauty of beginnings. Your first TikTok, newsletter, or podcast episode might not be a masterpiece, but guess what? You can't reach 150 without that first step. Let's face it, we all start somewhere. My initial podcast episodes were far from perfect, but they led to growth and impact. The same goes for y...

Can you believe it? This is the 149th episode of The Everyday Storyteller and the final one before I embark on a well-deserved summer break. So it seems fitting I use this episode to explore the positive impacts having a rest can have not only on your energy levels but also your creativity, ensuring you can show up for you audience in the most brilliant way possible.  Thank you for all your suppor...

We all know that communication is a powerful tool that can either build or break relationships. Our words possess this amazing ability to inspire, motivate, and uplift others. But, here's the catch: they can also have unintended consequences that leave a lasting impact. When we make seemingly harmless statements based on our own experiences or abilities, we might inadvertently shape the though...

I’m a people pleaser. Fact. I’m getting better now - or at least I’m more in control of it simply because I’ve experienced the destructive consequences it brings.  I often tell this story to help others going through similar experiences because by sharing your unique story, you can connect with others and provide them with valuable insights based on your own experiences. In turn, they will support...

When we were children, before countless individuals dampened our creativity, crushed our dreams, and made us feel the need to conform for acceptance we possessed vivid imaginations and the ability to think beyond the obvious. We had the innate power to connect with others simply by sharing what was on our minds, unfiltered and uncensored, wearing our emotions on our sleeves. But all to often now,...

We humans have an insatiable thirst for knowledge and a burning desire to find answers. So why do some people, including brands, make it so darn difficult for us to get basic information that helps us make a decision to buy or not to buy? In this episode I explore a few things you should be thinking about when writing your homepage or social media profile to make it super clear - and really easy f...

Have we all got a story to tell? Yes. Does it have to be life changing? No. Do your customers want to hear it? Yes, 100% Do I have to share everything with everyone? No, not if you don’t want to. Will storytelling help me build my business. Yes. Why don’t you try it and see? Here are a few tips to help you get started - or remind you of the basics if things are feeling a little tough right now whe...

Boring subject lines never inspire anyone to open your emails. Get it nailed and they will but don’t stop there. Here are some tips for making sure not only do your newsletter or sales emails get read, but your audience take action from them too.  Know you audience intimately and speak directly to them Write in your own voice and let you personality shine through Tell your audience ‘what’s in it f...

When we embrace our own struggles and share how we’ve triumphed over them, we can inspire others and give them hope - surely that’s worth any comfortable feelings or fears you might have? Take a moment to consider how you could delve into your own personal stories as a means of offering guidance and hope to others.  Being vulnerable and open about your insecurities can foster a profound sense of c...

Acronyms, clichés, self-centred language, and other misleading tactics get in the way of effective communications and turn your customers right off.  So how do you keep your communication customer-centric, authentic, and free from buzzwords to make a lasting impression? Say no to TLAs (Three-letter acronyms) as they can be confusing  Avoid cliches and focus instead on being honest and original in...

I’m seeing a growing trend among small independent brands, even those who set up initially with profit in mind, to embrace a more community-oriented and environmentally conscious sense of purpose. It’s a powerful acknowledgement that we all have a role to play in shaping the world around us, for better or worse.  But how do you tell your story, when you’re more about the collective benefit of what...

Whenever I get creative block I find myself annoyingly singing Natasha Bedingfield lyrics. Which as you can imagine, doesn’t help at all. But if you were a teenager of the 90s, you’ll probably recognise it… Tryna find the magic. Tryna write a classic. Don’t you know/ Wastebin full of paper. Clear rhymes see ya later! Oh and the best line of all - nothing I write is ever good enough.  Truth is, eve...

As small business owners, we often have to make tough decisions, like putting up our prices to ensure we’re paid our worth against a back drop of a cost of living crisis.   But here's the thing: by incorporating storytelling techniques, we can not only communicate the reasons behind the price increase but also help our customers see the value and benefits they will receive. For women with some...

Imagine you're a baker who has perfected a new gluten-free bread recipe. How do you talk about your product?  Do you say, "Most bread on the market is filled with unhealthy preservatives and processed ingredients. They're terrible for your health! But MY bread is gluten-free. Or do you say? "Imagine biting into a slice of warm, freshly baked bread that's not only incredibly d...

We can all tell predictable stories about our business but unfortunately (and check LinkedIn for evidence of this) when you’ve heard one, you’ve heard them all. To help get your creative juices flowing here are some ideas for more unique stories you may not have thought about.  The Community Impact Story. This is where we share how our small businesses have positively influenced our local communit...