An evening of personal and business stories
Getting clarity
There are moments we strive for in life, in our careers, and in our businesses. That moment of clarity when everything one has learnt and worked for begins to come together.
I had that moment of clarity sitting in a tiny tin boat in the middle of a swamp in New Orleans. Surrounded by alligators who’d have me for lunch, and if there is anything left over, for dinner, I made the hardest decision of my life: to start a business.
My voice
But I realized that was just the beginning. From the process of deciding what to do, to getting things done, changing my mind ever so often, trying to find a mentor, reading [and wasting time on] other people’s success stories, questioning my self-worth, to launching something worthwhile.
When I looked at all the things that I did – multiple aspects of magazine publishing [when the World Wide Web was still a spider’s domain], marketing, communications, advertising, business systems analysis, designing, developing, writing, and more – I found that at the core of it all there is one aspect that I have never touched. Giving a voice to myself and my thoughts.
As a backroom boy all my life, talking in front of more than three people made me break into a sweat. Building your business demands that you have your voice. A strong and engaging voice.
So I joined Toastmasters and at least two storytelling clubs. I pushed myself to tell at least one story a week for the last two months.
What’s in a name?
My first story was about my name; how people called me names after they butchered it, giving my name enough variations for me to have developed split personalities. One of my previous employers even anglicized it to ‘Martin’.
Sitting in that swamp, staring down the throat of an alligator, I realized that I have let others mould me. Not anymore. When I dug deep enough, I found the core of what I intend to base my future on – storytelling.
We are all storytellers. We evolved as storytellers from the time our ancestors hunted. They would sit around the fire and tell stories of how they hunted a wild boar or some fierce animal. When they did not return, it was the turn for the wild boar to tell its side of the story.
On July 16, 2025, I launched ‘Storytelling in Business’. The first session was a surprise. The stories I listened to were a heady cocktail of emotions coming straight from the heart.
My moment of clarity
What you’re about to see is the story of how I found my purpose in the most unlikely place—face-to-face with creatures that could have made me their lunch. Sometimes our biggest breakthroughs come when we’re literally staring down our fears.
That day in the swamp changed everything. I realized I had spent years letting others shape my story, my career, my identity. But sitting in that tiny tin boat, with alligators as my unlikely audience, I discovered something profound: I am a storyteller.
And more importantly, I learned that we all are.
From our ancestors sharing hunting tales around fires to today’s entrepreneurs pitching their visions, storytelling has always been how we connect, inspire, and create change. The question isn’t whether you have a story worth telling—it’s whether you know how to tell it in a way that transforms your business.
That’s why I created these storytelling workshops. Because in a world where everyone sounds the same, your story is your competitive advantage.
So, what’s your story?
At the introductory session to ‘Business in Storytelling’ there were three featured storytellers who inspired the audience to join in to tell their own stories.
Come and tell your story
Join us for an engaging event where we explore the power of storytelling in the world of business. Learn how to discover, craft, and tell compelling narratives that captivate your audience.
Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this event is perfect for anyone looking to harness the storytelling magic for business success. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to elevate your brand and connect with others in the business community.
To get the maximum out of the workshop attend the event in person. To be a featured storyteller you have to be present in person at the location.
Look out for the next event. Connect with us to find out more.
