"So... what's your story?"
Cue flash of anxiety as your brain floods with questions you have no time to think about:
Where to start? What to include?
How to be engaging, authentic, memorable?
How to show I’m interesting, credible, dynamic, fun...
Without taking forever, talking in circles, or sounding like a self-promoting jerk?β
Before you know it, you are vomiting up your whole chronological history in a 60-second play-by-play. (You watch yourself do this as though from a great distance, wishing it was over already.)
Ten seconds in, you practically see their eyes glaze over.
Your stomach sinks as it dawns on you:
They are no longer listening.
They're just waiting for their turn to talk.
Your audience could have the power to connect you, fund you, hire you, open doors for you…
... and you have already lost them.
This is what happens when you follow the script: you unconsciously give others the permission to make the meaning of who you are.
But YOU are the only person who has the right to make the meaning of your life.
So why give keep giving your power away?
Why surrender control of your greatest asset... when instead, you could leverage it to create the future you want?
What if, instead... you could own your story?
You know this is possible, because you've seen other people do it.
Within minutes of breezing into the room, they've got the other person nodding and laughing and saying "you know, that reminds me..."
They are comfortable and confident sharing themselves with whomever they meet.
They are transparent and sorry-not-sorry about who they are, and where they have been.
They are unafraid to show the dark parts, the challenging parts, and the parts where they fell on their face.
They can speak their truth clearly, without apologizing or making others defensive.
They don’t sound practiced or scripted, like they spent hours getting their story just right.
It doesn’t feel like they’re trying to sell you something, or convince you of something, or justify themselves.
In fact, it doesn’t seem like they’re trying at all.
They just sound like an authentic, whole, multi-dimensional human being, standing comfortably in all of their flaws and complexity.
Not bothering to hide behind a title or a resume in the name of appearing professional.
They are at ease with themselves...
In a way that swiftly puts others at ease.
They know that it takes one brave person to drop their mask first, and risk being truly seen...
... So that others can find the courage to do the same.
And this is why others respond to them with relief;
with bright eyes and laughter and stories of their own.
This is why they seem to get all the opportunities that other people miss.
Because in a world that can feel stuffy, self-important, and like everyone is taking themselves way too seriously...β
Anyone who dares to show up as a whole human being?
Feels like a breath of fresh air.
Oh, hey! I'm Jessica.
And among other things (adventurer, philosopher, wilderness guide; lover of mountains and metaphors and chocolate with fruit inside), I'm a professional storytelling and leadership coach who partners with founders, execs & creatives to excavate the true stories (and build the narrative skills) that move decision makers to say YES.
But years ago, when I was first starting out?
I didn’t realize how often the biggest opportunities get decided (and distributed) inside a single conversation.
The first time I courted a BIG prospective client, I spent two days crafting the perfect proposal; the book Made to Stick open on the dining room table, my laptop surrounded by a growing collection of coffee mugs gone cold.
Later, the client would say it “brought tears to his eyes” for how “poignant” and “needed” my ideas were.
I left his office certain my proposal had worked; that the position was mine.
But then weeks went by…
Which turned into months…
And then I finally got the news...
The contract had gone to someone else.
And not just anyone else -- an old white dude someone else.
I told myself I didn’t want that contract anyway.
Then I moved to San Francisco, with no job and no apartment lined up.
What I did have?
Was three contacts who had agreed to a meeting.
This time, I didn’t spend hours laboring over a fancy proposal.
Instead, I submitted the obligatory resume (which showed a colorful pie chart attributing 20% of my education to "school") and showed up to the interview in a plain blue dress from Banana Republic.
Sitting across from the bemused CEO, a view of San Francisco Bay sweeping out to my right, he asked me over tented fingers why I wanted to work there...
... Given that I had no relevant experience to speak of?
I looked out the window, and thought about it… and told him a story.
A true story, about how backpacking in the woods as a teenager changed my perspective, and made me realize how important it is to connect people with nature...
... Which (I think?) is what the organization was all about.
Three days later, I was hired for a job I was (on paper) completely unqualified to do.
… Despite having ZERO of the “5 years’ experience” and “demonstrated track record” that were “required” for the position.
Although I’d had insights about the power of story before, this was the moment my brain short-circuited and I realized how applicable that power is to every facet of our lives.
Especially business.
Since then, I’ve personally used story to:
- Close my first coaching clients (while still working full time)β
- Build a freelance business from scratch (in a niche no one had heard of at the time)
- Escape the 9-5 and become my own bossβ
- Quintuple my rates in my first year of businessβ
- Move countless prospects from “I can’t afford it” to “I can’t wait to get started!”β
- Land lucrative contracts with multiple Bay Area accelerators
- Get hired as adjunct career coach at U.C. Berkeley-Haas School of Businessβ
- Collaborate with amazing people all over the globe, including the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, Colombia, China and Singapore
- Take my business on a bicycle for 20 months and 14,000+ miles (from SF to the southern tip of South America)
- Publish 100+ stories and articles -- which has generated tens of thousands of dollars in surprise revenue, when (out of the blue!) readers reach out to say “I’m ready now!”
What's more, my clients have used the power of story to:
- Get the investor to say “tell me where to send the check.”β
- Get the partner to say “let’s demo this in 12 of our buildings.”β
- Get the Congressman to refer them with "you need to meet with him, tomorrow."
- Deliver paradigm-shifting TEDx talks
- Earn leadership roles at top companies (like Google, Apple, Amazon, Nike, HP)
- Land dream jobs in new roles or industries (with little to no direct “experience”)β
- Gracefully negotiate their highest salaries yet
- Start/ grow/ scale their dream businesses.
- Attract and retain top talentβ
- Build teams and cultures that operate like well-oiled machines
Honestly, if there's one thing you should take away from this list, it's this:
What you can achieve when you own your story?
Is limited only by your imagination.
Unfortunately, our imaginations tend to be rather limited... at first.
(And this isn't really our fault -- many of us were raised NOT to let our imaginations run wild.)
This is partly what prevents people (even some of the savviest business people!) from seeing their story as an asset.
Think about this for a second.
If you had enough perspective to see your story as an asset...
... You would NEVER let it waste away on a high, forgotten shelf.
You would never call it "nice to have; not need to have."
You would know that nothing could be further from the truth.
Because an asset is not meant to sit in a corner, gathering dust.
Assets are meant to be leveraged.
As in, put into service of generating more and better returns.
So if you ALREADY saw your story as an asset, you would have already started to wonder...
How you might leverage your story, to create the life you want the most.
And even then!
Even once you DO decide to invest in your story...
It's very likely you'll do so in pursuit of a finite story goal:
i.e. the ONE story that will help you get the ONE YES
... that could change your life and catapult your career in the right direction.
… And it will only be AFTER that first finite story has been developed and delivered...β
... only AFTER that first intoxicating TASTE of results...
... Only THEN will you start to wonder at the infinite possibilities that great storytelling opens up.
Make no mistake: you invest in your story once, and that investment will serve you again and again throughout your life and career.
I know, because I've done it -- not just for myself, but for hundreds of others, in dozens of different ways..β
Now, I've distilled everything I’ve learned from over a DECADE of getting results with story...
... and I want to give it to YOU.
"I learned more actionable steps than in 2 years of business coaching and 6 months of a high-end entrepreneurial coaching program."
Janis Mckinstry, Holistic Wellness Coach
introducing
Own Your Story 2.0
the primary meaning-maker of your life.
What You'll Get
When you invest in Own Your Story on demand, you'll get:
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Instant access to all 6 modules of my unique M.A.G.I.C.C. method for telling simple, concrete personal stories that connect instantly with others & move them to action
50+ short & sweet video lessons (average ~5min each) totaling 5+ hours of content
13 story example videos to showcase various tools & techniques in the form of a story
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Quick & practical action steps to help you apply each lesson IRL (in real life)
Lifetime access to all materials, so your stories can continue evolving as YOU do
(Because static assets < dynamic ones )
"I've seen how this investment continues to generate new returns and opportunities."
Sean Conway, CEO of Pillow Global
"Jessica brought me back to my authentic story and gave me the perspective and tools to stay continuously aligned with myself, my strengths and weaknesses, my values, and my wisdom. As a result, I've experienced a seismic shift in how I communicate my unique value as a professional and leader, which allowed me to excel in the interview process. My learnings from her will continue to be instrumental throughout my career going forward."
Tanya Troshyna, Product Leader & Founder of Fable
"This feels so much more in line with our deeper mission... thank you for helping me unlock my true story, and all the power that comes with being able to communicate myself and my brand effectively."
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Micah Clasper-Torch, Founder of CityBird
WHAT'S INSIDE?
A peek inside each module of the 6-part M.A.G.I.C.C. Method.
Module 1
M is for Mindset
Learn the neuroscience of story (imagination, empathy, attention, and decision making), how to avoid the various traps of non-magical communication, and the secrets to mastering the mindset of someone who can "change consciousness at will." Walk away with boosted confidence in your natural abilities as a storyteller, excited to start flexing your muscles.
Module 2
A is for Authority
Learn to embrace the full range of your experience as a competitive advantage in 21st century business, and unlock the power of story-as-leadership. Walk away crystal-clear on what makes your story unique, as well as and a bottomless supply of raw story material you can return to again and again as you develop your personal library of simple, concise, and contextual true stories.
Module 3
G is for Grounding
Learn the art of making meaning through story, get clear on what meanings you might want YOUR stories to make, and practice the power of reverse-engineering your stories to answer the "Golden Question" and feed your audience's secret hunger. Walk away with a new perspective on how to show others the world through your lens in a way that inspires belief, intimacy and trust.
Module 4
I is for Improv & Structure
Learn the simple essence and key ingredients of any story, plus various ways to structure a story to make it short and shareable -- without memorizing a script or sacrificing meaning. Walk away with 3 story formats to play with, and one fully developed story to practice delivering live in a natural, unscripted way -- plus all the tools you need to transform any future experience into a concise and relevant story.
Module 5
C is for Character
Learn the subtle art of creating enchantment (aka the "Lean-In effect"), practice pulling back the curtain on your true character, and get comfortable playing with the 8 imagination-piquing techniques to keep your audience hooked. Walk away with the ability to tell longer, multi-dimensional stories without losing your audience; and while activating empathy, imagination, and trust.
Module 6
C is for Context & CTA
Learn the 3 types of story every leader needs to tell, and how to match them to specific business contexts to show others why they should follow YOU. Learn how to deftly avoid the "Kiss of Death" at the end of your stories, and walk away ready to implement your deep storytelling skill set in a way that moves people beyond enchantment -- to the place where they're inspired to take action and say YES to you.
"I had a phone interview today with the top "Finance team" dog at a Series C company. I used what we learned in Module 1, demonstrated authenticity as best I could, and IT. WORKED. MAGIC. He was exuberant."
Rachael Kim, Director of Corporate Strategy at ZenDesk
"Before the course I lacked confidence sharing stories in life and using them in business. Now, instead of answering questions directly (and boringly) I can share a story that gives a more powerful, meaningful, inspiring answer to the question *really* being asked. Others report feeling inspired and intrigued, like they've been invited to think critically and/or take a next step. I feel like I'm standing taller with the confidence and empowerment this course facilitated: confidence in the power of my own personal stories, and in my ability to share them in a way that feels authentic and meaningful."
Bailey Selland, Family Therapist & Coach
“For someone who has struggled with anxiety and speaking all my life, Jessica's Own Your Story course was a game changer. It helped me develop a greater awareness of how to mine wisdom from what I've done and share it with others in a dynamic, authentic and respectful way. Its helped me immensely in my career. I've sat job interviews with more confidence and ease. I can speak to others with simplicity and power about why I chose [this career] and how I might help them. I highly recommend this course. It will change the way you reflect on and speak about your life to others. Being a competent storyteller is priceless; the applications are endless.”
Nyn Tompkins, Doctor of Chiropractic
Featuring 50+ Video Lessons (~ 5min ea)
Lovingly designed to be super digestible, Own Your Story 2.0 alternates quick and simple video lessons with practical action steps to help you digest and apply what you learn -- PLUS 13 story examples so you can see the tools and techniques of effective storytelling in action.
"You've given me an incredible gift."
Louise De Lannoy, Neuroscientist & Researcher
"Jessica is not only a master storyteller, but also an incredible guide and teacher. She helped me construct stories that will be a cornerstone in my business and help my brand stand out. I cannot recommend Jessica enough. She is badass, brilliant, honest, and the person you want in your corner to construct your story and take your life and business to new heights!"
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Danielle Leslie, Founder of Culture ADD Labs
"The investor was so connected and blown away by the idea. He said he rarely hears an idea he believes in, and that the way I framed it was unique and unlike anything he's heard before. He said, call me when you're ready for funding."
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Dasami Moodley, Senior Product Manager @ BCG Digital Ventures
This is the same stuff that Silicon Valley CEO's & VC's, Forbes 30-Under-30's, & Berkeley Haas M.B.A.'s pay multiple thousands of dollars to access.
And I want to get it in YOUR hands.
100% Risk Free Satisfaction Guarantee
I want this to be the best investment you ever make in your communication skill set. If you complete the course and don't feel you've gotten value out of it, I'll give you your money back within 60 days of your purchase. Just show me you did the work, and you'll receive a full refund!
What's the Alternative?
- You could hire a storytelling coach for $9-22K... but even if you found someone like me, they wouldn't have access to the unique and proprietary creative curriculum that I've spent 10+ years testing and tweaking.
- You could get a Haas M.B.A. for $60K+... but you're probably too busy for that, and you'd only get bits and pieces of this stuff at a time!
- You could attend a live class for $500... but aside from the fact that this isn't available anywhere else, this wouldn't allow you to learn at your own pace and on your schedule.
- You could DIY (do it yourself) for free... but with no roadmap, blueprint, or expert guidance to lean on, you risk spinning in circles for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use story for again?
I don't have an awesome "hero's journey" story. Is this right for me?
Literally nothing good has happened to me in the past ~2 years (/I've worn pajamas for most of it). What use do I have for this??
I want to be a better storyteller, but it seems likeΒ a lot of talking about myself, and that feels icky.
I've been told I'm a bad storyteller. Are some people just a lost cause?
What happens after I register?
How much access do I get to YOU?
I'm a past client/ Haas or INSEAD student/ friend or family member. Can I get a discount?
Are there scholarships available?
Isn't storytelling a fluffy soft skill?Β Why would I pay for it?
to your one wild and precious life
"Out-of-this-world wonderful."
Jesse Williams, CEO of the Groundswell Project
"Way more than just storytelling... tremendous."
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Pocket Sun, Co-Managing Partner of SoGal Ventures
"Without a doubt, one of the best investments I've made."
β
Jake Bullock, Founder & CEO of Ravn Inc
