20/11/2023
Why Sharing Your Origin Story is Essential for Growth
If I look around at all the brands I am a raving fan of, they all have one thing in common. They all have a powerful origin story that's not just about the bolts and screws of HOW the founder created the company. It's about revealing the WHY behind its existence.
What problem is the founder trying to solve, and how are they improving the world?
What drove the founder to create it, what problem were they trying to solve, what challenges and obstacles did they have to overcome, and how does the business idea convey the vision of the founder?
One of my favourites is Modibodi. Kristy Chong OAM invented her eco-friendly leak p**f underwear after experiencing light incontinence and not wanting to use disposable sanitation products, which were uncomfortable and terrible for the environment.
Every brand has a story, but not every story captures hearts and minds. The secret sauce lies in unveiling the authentic journey of the founder—the challenges, triumphs, and the driving force behind the brand's existence, which is always linked to its WHY.
1. Find your PURPOSE:
A compelling origin story often begins with an awakening that becomes the founder's purpose. Tony's Chocolonely was created when the founder saw the insidious child and human slavery issues in the chocolate industry. His purpose became only to use ethically sourced, slave-free chocolate.
2. What's Your Journey:
Another favourite is Hamdi Ulukaya's journey with Chobani. As an immigrant arriving in America, he wanted to create a yoghurt without all the additives, support farmers and give jobs to migrants and refugees. His yoghurt was one for the people by the people. From humble beginnings, he has become the No. 1 selling yoghurt in the country.
3. Align Values with Vision:
A powerful origin story aligns the founder’s values with the brand's vision. TOMS, founded by Blake Mycoskie, could not stand to see impoverished children without shoes when he travelled through Argentina. His purpose reflected his values when he started his shoe brand, where each time you buy a pair, it gives a pair to a needy child.
4. Overcoming Adversity:
Daniel Flynn and his then-girlfriend, now wife, were university students when they came up with the idea for Thankyou Water. The plan was to give 100% of profits to nonprofits working to eradicate extreme poverty. The brand's vision resonated with a bottler who agreed to produce their product without charging anything upfront.
Tips for Crafting Your Founder Origin Story:
- Be Authentic and vulnerable
- Connect Emotionally by sharing the highs and lows
- Highlight your mission and explain how it drives your every decision
- Show, don't tell
- Understand your audience so the story resonates with them
Lastly, a founder's origin story is dynamic. As your brand grows, update your narrative to reflect new achievements, challenges, and impacts