Why Your Story Really Freakin' Matters

Ever have a story that you rarely share until something happens and it all makes sense?

This is a story I need to share with you because it's directly connected to you.

Stick with me here.

My first job after graduating college in 1984 was at the World Trade Center. Some office desk job.

I worked there for the summer, weekdays in Tower 2 on the 11th floor.

On weekends, I worked my radio news shifts, praying for a full-time news job.

It was miserable commuting to the World Trade Center. The 45-minute zombie train ride.

I vowed to myself that this was not going to be my life.

But for that summer, I would sit outside at lunchtime in between the Twin Towers.

The promenade and fountains were stunning. I would eat lunch and do some people-watching.

It was the best part of my day. ??

Storybook beautiful.

I only wish there were cell phones so I would have had some pictures.

The summer of ‘84 ended, and I got my wish: The full-time radio gig panned out, and I bailed on my job at the trade center.

I never looked back at that summer. It was a story that had its brief place in my career.

Until September 11, 2001. ??

By that time, I had had a tremendous run in radio.

I was an on-air anchor and news reporter at radio stations across the tri-state area.

I won awards.

I was on the Executive Board of the Associated Press.

I went on to run the Governor’s Office of Radio and TV for the only woman governor in NJ. ??

I did my most fulfilling work as a PR director for a statewide nonprofit. It’s been an honor telling the stories of people with autism, epilepsy, and other developmental disabilities.

All this paved the way for me to open my public relations company in 2000.

And 9/11 hit.

One year into my entrepreneurial journey. I was well aware of the benchmarks for failure.

The 1-3– and 5-year milestones.

You probably know most small businesses sink in those first few years.

So, why is this entrepreneurial story different?

Because there are no ordinary stories when your clients are in the throes of the terror attacks.

For example, Seastreak, a commuter ferry service for NJ and Manhattan, had boats in the water when the planes hit.

They brought thousands of people out of the city to safety in Jersey.

For weeks Seastreak ran medical supplies, food, and volunteer first responders to Ground Zero.

The stories.

The faces.

The courage.

Another client was United Way of Central Jersey.

They were inundated with counseling requests to support 9/11 families and survivors.

Clergy and professional therapists were battling “compassion fatigue” for months and months.

The therapists needed therapy.

I cried.

There were so many frames and lenses for which to share the stories.

It was draining and heartbreaking.

??But we all knew the stories had to be told.

The voices had to be heard. ??

For me, I had to balance the storytelling and news lens with humanity in a new and unfamiliar way.

All while coaching my weary clients, preparing them for news interviews .

Reporters wanted to hear the stories.

The public needed to see their faces and hear their voices.

The lens wasn’t focused on businesses and organizations.

It was about their people.

There was no other news for a long-ass time in my media market.

And there was an unspoken responsibility that me and my reporter contacts felt.

We wanted to provide a platform for the ferry captain from Seastreak and the therapist with United Way to share their stories.

??They could heal by talking about their experiences.

My PR company survived because human beings need storytelling at a deep core emotional level.

Most people want to talk, whether there is tragedy or triumph.

The good, the bad, and the ugly.

Every 9/11, we share stories.

We remember where we were on that horrific Tuesday morning.

We connect with other people willing and able to share a sliver of their soul.

That’s what stories do.

• They bring us together.
• They touch our hearts.
• They expose our humanity.

Tomorrow, the story and narrative change.

September 12th is wide open.

?For your story, your voice, your experience.

Are you willing to share what’s in your heart?

It's all falling into place.

??Message me here so you can share your story with reporters, podcasters, and in paid speeches. (I have 2 private coaching spots open.) ??