Back in 2010 I took a big leap of faith and left my job, working in communications for a big corporate. I enjoyed my profession and my role but I was ready to spread my wings and do something new. I was in search of more flexibility and more variety. I knew that this would make me happier, more creative and productive and that as a result my new clients would also benefit more.

I also knew that it would take me a while to work out exactly what I wanted to specialise in and what I wanted my fledgling business to grow into. During this time I have continued to work on communications projects with big companies. I have also gained some amazing experience working with start-ups and solo business owners, sharing my marketing communications experience and helping them to make a big difference in their businesses.

Then, at the beginning of 2014 I decided I wanted to focus more on writing for clients. But I wasn’t excited enough about it. I wasn’t ‘just a writer’ – there was something missing.

I was grappling with this when my friend, Diane, came to visit. As we were driving back from an inspiring talk by Emma Bridgewater at Chipping Norton Literary Festival, Diane asked me “Why would I work with you, rather than hire a copywriter or a virtual assistant to write for me?” and I said, “Well, I offer something more. I am interested in the people behind the business – the personality, the values and their journey. I am like a business storyteller”. And that was it. I knew then, that is exactly what I do! It’s what I’ve been doing for the last 17 years!

Why? Because I am fascinated by the stories behind your business and I believe that customers and employees are too. They want to see the people involved in the business, not deal with a faceless organisation. They want to know how you’re different from your competitors, whether they can trust you to do business with and, as employees, whether they should commit themselves to deliver the very best for you.

Your business stories are what make you unique and help you to stand out from your competitors. Using these stories in your marketing materials and your internal communications enables you to bring out the authentic, human side of your business and this is what I love helping people to do.

I’ll be writing much more about storytelling over the coming months but for now I just wanted to share a little of my own journey. So that’s my story – what about yours? Feel free to share in the comments box below.