It Starts with a Story: How Startups Can Harvest the Power of Storytelling

Storytelling is all around us. Everyday conversations, the media, business meetings, and every form of entertainment include some form of storytelling. It is such an integral part of human culture that it has been developed over the years by every civilization, group, and individual developing its own systems. 

With the advent of modern technology and globalization, the role that storytelling plays in society became even greater. Now, people can access an unprecedented amount of information with a few clicks and in record time, allowing people to interact with each other more efficiently. Instant messaging, online videos, podcasts, streaming, and memes all become important platforms for people to share their stories.

Storytelling has also grown to play an essential role in the world of business, becoming an essential tool for entrepreneurs and marketers alike. Not only can a good story capture the attention of potential customers by creating strong emotional reactions but it can also inspire others to action. This is why many successful startups and scaleups have built their entire brand around a compelling narrative

The role of storytelling in startup culture cannot be understated. Startups often begin with just an idea and a small team, and in order to attract investors, customers, and even employees, they need to be able to tell a compelling story that inspires people to believe in their vision. By effectively communicating their brand identity, valuesw, and mission, startups can create a sense of excitement and momentum around their brand, helping attract investors and top talent.

Few people know more about the power of storytelling than best-selling writer and award-winning Story Strategist Elayna Fernandez, Wholly Art Co-Founder & CEO Elyssa Fernandez, and Triple Nike’s CEO Ruben Ayala. The 3 of them sat with Savage Marketer Podcast’s Host Jeff Hunter as part of Grit Daily House’s “The Art of Storytelling” panel.

Elayna is a Latina Storyteller, award-winning Story Strategist, and author of bestselling books, providing training programs and blogging at ThePositiveMOM.com. She travels internationally as a keynote speaker and panelist, inspiring thousands of people into being the protagonist of their own stories. 

Elyssa is a producer, filmmaker, international speaker, marketing and social media expert, and bestselling author. As Elayna’s daughter, she learned from an early age the importance of agency to be successful, which inspired her to start her first business when she was only 8 years old.

An experienced business owner, globetrotter, and passionate leader, Ruben Ayala has built a reputation as an effective negotiator and collaborator. He co-founded and runs Triple Nikel, an apparel brand focused on the values of diversity and inclusion to amplify stories through its designs.

As part of the conversation, the panelists talked about how they use the power of storytelling to make their and their client’s businesses grow, what makes good storytelling, how entrepreneurs can use storytelling to build their personal brands, and much more. To learn more about how you can harvest the power of storytelling, make sure to watch the video.