Flashback. You’ve just had that moment. You know the one. The lightning bolt. The, “Why on Earth hasn’t anyone fixed this already?” A simmering problem finally boils over, and you’re suddenly holding the spoon.
That’s where the stories worth telling are born—from people who saw a better way, knew they had to make a change, and weren’t afraid to get their hands a little dirty in the process.
your very own story arc
You’re the hero here, but not in the cliché “knight on a quest” kind of way. This is more like… you’re the person who has felt that challenge, experienced the pain, and decided it wasn’t someone else’s job to fix it anymore. It was yours. Because otherwise, would it happen in your lifetime? Your children’s lifetimes?
That’s the origin story worth sharing. And this story arc, the Hero’s Journey, well, it’s a lot closer to real life than any three-act movie plot. Here’s how it goes down:
1. The Call to Adventure: Your “Aha” Moment
We’re starting where all good stories start: the moment of revelation. This isn’t about crafting a perfect “founder bio.” It’s about that all-too-real moment when you realized something was broken, and you could fix it.
Maybe you were frustrated with how your industry handled sustainability (or ignored it altogether) or saw a real gap in human-centered tech design. That’s your call to adventure. That’s what your audience needs to hear.
2. The Trials: Buckling Up for the Ride
You know the drill: It’s trial by fire. You’re about to face obstacles, and they’re not just hypothetical. These are the late nights, the dead ends, the “I have no clue how we’re going to solve this” moments. But you know what? That’s where your audience finds themselves, too. They want to hear about the roadblocks, the detours, and every unexpected twist that got you to today. No one wants to follow a founder who has it all figured out from the start. You’ve got to be gritty, real, and honest about those rough patches.
3. The Guide: Finding Wisdom Along the Way
No hero goes it alone, and neither did you. We all have mentors, and sometimes they show up in the least expected ways. Maybe it was advice from an industry pro, or maybe it was your team pulling you back from the edge when burnout was real. This part of your story isn’t about perfection — it’s about learning, about the humanity that gives your brand heart.
4. Transformation: When the Change Really Takes Root
Now, the transformation. This is the part of the story where your idea turns into real, breathing results. You’ve put in the hours, faced the hiccups, and now there’s a shift. Maybe it’s a product that’s launched, or maybe it’s the realization that what you’re building is bigger than any one person. Share how it feels to watch your values come to life through your work.
5. The Return: Sharing the Lessons
Here’s where you invite others to be part of the mission. This isn’t just “storytelling” for its own sake — this is your audience’s “aha” moment, the one that sparks a desire to join you on the journey. Maybe you wrap up with an open invitation, or a challenge, or a vision of where this can go next. Bring it all home by sharing what you’ve learned, and let your audience see exactly how they can play a role in the impact you’re making.
why this matters
People connect with people. They want to know you — not just the business, but the whole story that got you here. It’s messy, raw, and sometimes a little scary. But when you show up authentically, the right people will see themselves in your story, and that’s where loyalty starts. That’s what makes storytelling so powerful: It lets you get real about who you are, and who we all are, and why this vision for change actually matters.
Ready to tell yours?