StorySchool – The Story Co.

entrepreneurs, great stories, StorySchool

October 5, 2021

uncorked with brewed awakening

I am very fortunate to be the Uncorked host for WESK in Regina this year. Connecting and telling the stories of some amazing women entrepreneurs is such an inspiration.

This month was no exception.

Lisa MacMurchy has owned Brewed Awakening for the last ten years!! That is a worthy milestone in itself, and the fact she has grown the business to 5 thriving locations is an incredible accomplishment.

We could end the story right there, and that would be inspiring enough. But as always, the more to the story is where some of the really good stuff lies.

Local Market was the perfect location, with wood floors exposed brick walls. We nestled in – 6ft apart and with masks as Lisa explained that all she wanted to do was have friends over for coffee!

You can still see the interview on the WESK Facebook page, but being there, I could feel the warmth of her remarks and her often heart-fueled emotional words that I swear could be felt through the floorboards.

At one point we talked about how difficult it can be to be a Mom and an entrepreneur. Lisa is a Mom of four! I think it is a topic we don’t discuss enough. Lisa spoke of the struggle to “be enough” at work and “enough” at home. That she still carries a lot of guilt around missed events and times together.

We also talked about what she believes her now-adult children learned from growing up in an entrepreneurial home. Those answers came quickly: the value of hard work, to take nothing for granted, and to live the meaning of perseverance. Valuable lessons!

For all of the women entrepreneurs out there who feel the Mom guilt struggle, know that you are not alone and reach out to another women entrepreneur who is going through it or has gone through it. Because no matter what stage you are at with your business and your family, you are always enough!

Lisa’s energy was infectious, and she was quick to refer the success of Brewed to her team and her friends, who were there to cheer her on. She sees her employees like family, and they clearly feel the same way. Laughter and pride flowed easily between them, which is likely why, unlike many restaurants, they are not having a hard time finding or keeping staff!

What’s next for Brewed? Well, she left us perched on the edge of suspense because something is definitely brewing, and the announcement will be coming soon. “It will be a first for Regina,” said Lisa!

Brewed Awakening has given us a place to gather, a place to create community, and a place where kind words are shared. I can’t think of anything our world needs more!

Join us next month when we explore the story of Good Spirit Kombucha with owners Colleen Cretin and Taylor Chapman. I bet it is going to be a fizzy good tale! 🙂

See you then,

Janet

Fun, FutureProof, PurposeBrand, StorySchool

April 9, 2021

Thank you

We launched The Story School, PurposeBrand, and FutureProof your Retail Business, all in March … all at the same time!

It seemed like a good idea. The concepts have been in various hoppers for many years and it was time to press “GO”.

I was fully embracing Michael Bungay Stanier’s philosophy of setting worthy goals.

He describes a worthy goal as something that “unlocks our greatness and allows us to work on the hard stuff.” Not too intimidating, is it?

Worthy goals being further defined as having three primary criteria:

They must be thrilling. Check.
They should be daunting. We could check this box like 3 times, or 5, ok 10, but who’s counting?
They should be important, as he describes it, “the accomplishment of these goals will have a positive impact on others.” Check.

So, all three criteria had been checked, and I sat in my bright office and hovered over “go” or in this case “send” or “post”, or both.

Whatever “go” is, it really is weird to press “go” during Covid. It’s a bit like watching a Raptors game with no fans! Did we score, did anyone start the wave, was there a collective gasp of “oh this is just what we needed?” We pressed “go” and still my pup slept on my feet – no happy dance from you Stella? C’mon we have worked so hard on this!!

And then a ding here, and then another, and a few DM’s there and then…. oh wow! It was full on! There were many great conversations, I met new people, and we shared desires to strategically tell the right stories, build purpose driven brands and leaders, and to Futureproof Retail.

Pressing “go” was every bit as thrilling, daunting, and important as it should be.

And I have each of you to thank for helping me to actualize these worthy goals. You are at the heart of every new initiative. This great response leaves me both humbled and thankful.

We might not launch 3 courses at the same time again(!) but we will continue to set worthy goals, and deliver with big hearts and deep connection, while remaining committed to our purpose of elevating others through the power of their own story.

Game on!

PurposeBrand, StorySchool

March 10, 2021

Become a Certified Strategic Brand Storyteller and PurposeBrand Leader

I have never been able to wait for surprises.

I was the kid who climbed into the attic to unwrap and rewrap all my Christmas presents. Twice.

So countdowns to a new launch, you know, the ones you are supposed to lovingly troop along with as the countdown goes on for days are totally not my style.

Can’t do it.

It’s completely beyond me.

The suspense literally is just too much.

So here it is!

I’m thrilled to announce two fabulous new initiatives that I created just for you.

And I am as excited as Christmas morning to tell you about it.

Story School: Strategic Storytelling to build brands is here!

So is . . .

PurposeBrand: the hub for Conscious Leaders and their brands.

Both offer elevated programming and certification that will help you to lead, live, and grow your own purpose brand.

I believe our stories are most valuable asset and yet they are so underleveraged in the marketplace.

Each day when I work with purpose driven brands I see why on ever business metric they are more successful. Over many years I have developed a framework that helps you to do the hard work to define your purpose as a leader and as an organization. And that is the spark you need to tell your story.

The story that defines your position in the marketplace, builds raging fans internally and externally and builds your brand so that you can the impact you have intended.

This work is galvanizing teams, increasing self awareness, celebrating our differences and giving all of us purpose.

Our certification programs qualify for The Reopen Saskatchewan Training Subsidy, which means the cost for 100% of the training fee and the materials will be reimbursed.

Click on the links above to learn more.