11/06/2026
I’ve been to this theatre many times,” I told the audience. “But this is the first time I’ve stood on this stage.”
What I didn’t mention, (in front of the large crowd from East Grinstead Business Association
Haywards Heath Business Assoc.
was that it was my first time on ANY stage as a keynote speaker.
And, judging by the wonderful feedback I received, it won’t be my last.
I’m very proud of how it went.
The topic of my talk was “Storytelling for Business Success.”
I gave the audience practical tips and takeaways for how to tackle business storytelling, structured around a handy acronym:
S - Self awareness
T - Truth telling
O - Ownership
R - Resonance
Y - Your Why
You can use story to prompt your ideal client to think “Ahhh, they get me” - and then they’re far more likely to trust you, remember you and want to work with you.
I’ve been blown away by the number of people who told me how much they enjoyed it and how valuable it was.
But what really seems to have struck a chord was this question: “What stories are you telling yourself that are keeping you small?”
Before this event, I’d been telling myself that my place was telling other people’s stories; giving voice to other business’ scripts and brand anthems and corporate films.
But I decided to stop believing that story.
Because it wasn’t true.
My story is also worth telling.
Want me as your keynote speaker? You won’t be disappointed.
PS Huge thanks to Sussex Portrait Photographer for the close-up photos and to the audience members who took the other shots that I’ve shamelessly pinched. Also to my awesome panel: Louise Lucas, the Story Spotters and John Pye - and to Grahame Russell, who believed that I could do this in the first place and made it happen.
