StoryCraft: Storytelling Intensive for Entrepreneurs, Creatives & Leaders
A 5-week online workshop to help you show up as your whole, imperfect self…and feel good doing it.
It’s time to FINALLY own your story.
Every time you talk about yourself, your art, your cause, or your business you are telling a story. Let’s craft stories that cultivate connection and expand your impact.
We begin August 29th.
TRAUMA-INFORMED COACHING for YOUR FULL HUMANITY
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TRAUMA-INFORMED COACHING for YOUR FULL HUMANITY >
And no wonder: you’ve been told forever that if you want to be successful you need to show up a certain way….a way that requires you to shave off little bits and pieces of yourself so you can fit into the “right” box.
But all that minimizing just makes you feel smaller, not better.
Being like everyone else is not what you are really about. You’re tired of hiding the best parts of yourself and there’s a part of you that KNOWS you have something special to offer.
Because when you connect with your people (your dream client, collaborator, investor) in one of those juicy, rich conversations that feels like you’re talking to an old friend, you remember how good it feels to be your whole self.
And when someone comments on your Instagram post, “Thank you! I needed to hear that today.” you feel the power vulnerability has to magnify your impact.
Creative business folx, leaders, and don’t-fit-into-a-box entrepreneurs: Do you find yourself mindlessly scrolling Instagram instead of posting yourself? Maybe you get the glimpse of an idea but then get tongue-tied and imposter syndrome sets in and you figure you’d better keep quiet.
I’ve been there.
Scared to put my real self out there, and always feeling like something was missing in my branding. Like no one really GOT the real me.
The comparison struggle is REAL. And can suck you in even when you’re trying to resist. You know you have something special to offer but when you see what everyone else is doing your (LOUD) inner critic tells you to sit back down and keep quiet.
You are ready to figure out how to merge your personal and business self, because lately you’ve realized they are the same person.
You’re ready to talk about yourself and your work in a way that feels focused, engaging, and good.
You’re ready to own your story and (finally) show up as all of YOU.
Welcome to StoryCraft.
I can’t wait to help you tell your story.
“Before starting Story Coaching with Taji, I couldn't have guessed how impactful and transformative this process would be. As an entrepreneur who would rather hide under a rock than do any kind of self-promotion, Taji is helping me identify and create a clear framework for articulating the things I love about what I do and why my mission is so important to me. As a result, I'm connecting more easily and more frequently with people who are looking for my services, and it's all because I'm sharing my authentic self. And the best part is this process makes me feel whole and resilient in a way that only finding, seeing, and speaking one's truth can. Thank you, Taji, from the bottom of my heart for showing me how to do this.” - Alexandra Roark, Embodiment Coach
I’m Taji (she/her)
I’m a queer, trauma-informed coach, 20+ year entrepreneur, storyteller, neuroscience nerd, mom, and truth-teller advocate.
I took the class because I knew I had a story to tell and I wanted to get over my stage fright. But I was still SO nervous heading into the room that first night. Turns out it was exactly what I needed. I learned how to craft my story AND how to get up in front of people to tell it. I could never have done it without the vulnerability and kindness that everyone brought into that room. (LESSON: Find the right people to support you when you do something new and scary.)
A few weeks later I got up and told my story on stage. I was still sweating and shaking, but I did it. I discovered that the more I told the truth about myself and allowed myself to be seen as my full self, the MORE comfortable I was, not less. The first time someone from the audience came up to me and said they really needed to hear my story and that it made them want to tell theirs, I had an a-ha moment: I realized that finding my voice could help other people find theirs.
Nowadays, as an entrepreneur for over 20+ years, here’s what I know for sure: Standing in your truth, owning your story, and sharing your whole self with the world is the single best way to find your people.
Your clients, your customers, your community….they are all on the other side of you speaking your truth.
But it takes more than the will to connect. It takes learning storytelling skills, refining your message, and practicing talking about yourself and your work with other folx who get it.
It takes story mentorship, accountability, and tactical tools.
I also used to have terrible stage fright.
It started when I was a child (thanks to an abusive family life where I as never able to use my voice) and continued into college. As an adult I grew to have a successful catering business, to teach cooking classes, and regularly talk in front of people. I got good at “performing” my professional self. But that shy little kid was still running the show inside. I was always so nervous to share anything personal about myself. Which felt a bit like hiding and never felt good.
Then I took a live storytelling class and everything changed.
Maybe you follow marketing “gurus”…
and have been working hard to hone your mission statement, lock in your elevator pitch, and write an “About Page” that sounds like you. And you’ve made some progress but it still isn’t hitting the mark. I get it.
The truth is, a lot of the marketing messages out there tell you to “be you” but then ask you to put yourself into a box and use a formula to craft your branding and messaging.
Sorry, not sorry: This way of marketing is old news.
Right now you might feel:
Inauthentic when you show up online;
Nervous about sharing anything personal in your work spaces;
Uncertain if your story matters (spoiler alert: it does!);
Confused about how your personal story and business story connect;
Like you want to make more genuine connections, but aren’t sure where to start;
Frustrated that your content isn’t getting engagement;
Like you’re yelling into the void and not attracting your dream clients/customers/community;
Like you’re “not a writer” so you can’t possibly write your story.
What if you could feel:
Like everything you post on social media is a true representation of you;
Confident telling people your business origin story;
Comfortable answering the question, “What do you do?”;
Excited to show up online and in email because you have a toolbox of stories to pull from;
Connected to your community from sharing the vulnerable parts of your story;
Encouraged from all the engagement you’re getting;
Keen to open up your DMs because it’s full of your people…?
You can. It’s all inside of StoryCraft
Identify WHO you are (in all of your complexity) and WHAT matters most to you.
StoryCraft: Storytelling Intensive for Entrepreneurs, Creatives & Leaders is a 5-week online course that includes:
5 digital modules, delivered weekly with slides, bite-sized videos and resource lists.
50-page workbook with exercises, examples, and checklists to help you take action.
5 Live group coaching sessions to work through material together, workshop material, and gain real-time insights
Private online community to share work, get feedback, and make connections.
Access to two optional 60-minute one-on-one calls with me, where we can dive deep and refine your stories together. (Additional fee only available to course participants.)
Lifetime access to the course materials and community.
Together, we will get you ready to share your story, your expertise, and your content in a way that feels connected to your purpose and aligned with your values.
CRAFT your core stories, including: Origin Story, Manifesto, Easy Intro, and more.
CREATE a Story Bank of evergreen stories to share again and again on various platforms and in person.
“After the first session with Taji, I immediately knew how much this course would help me. It was very hands and gave me insight on how to start, stop, and find the main point of my story. Every week I got better at telling stories about myself and my business. I would highly recommend this class to anyone who wants to understand how they can better tell stories in all areas of life. This class was a game changer for me!" DJ Kara, event DJ
The Magic is You Overview
Over 5-weeks we’ll navigate five modules as we work through imposter syndrome and get crystal clear on who you are and what special sauce you bring to your work. We’ll have five live sessions to dive into the material and review your work in real time. If you’re not able to make the live sessions, they will be posted in the community, where you can also share your work for feedback.
As a participant in the course, you’ll have access to two optional 60-minute one-on-one calls with me, where we can dive deep and refine your stories together. You’ll get my full focus and we’ll sort out how to make your stories sing.
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We begin with The Power of Storytelling so we can understand the art and science of sharing our stories. I’ll share why trauma-informed storytelling is essential in community-building, and you’ll begin to articulate yo values.
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Let’s focus on developing the foundational elements of your personal and business narratives. You’ll create your “I Believe” statements, and begin work on your Manifesto and “Easy Intro” (a quick come-back to the the question, “What do you do?”)
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Every time you talk about work, you are telling a story. It’s time to make sure those stories REALLY represent the truest YOU. We’ll dive into what makes a compelling Origin Story and how you can tap into authenticity and vulnerability while holding your boundaries steady….AND be on the lookout for the nerves that come up when we become more visible.
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This week you’ll refine your stories and begin to develop your Story Bank, a toolkit of evergreen stories that align with your values and work. We’ll examine various story formats and which platforms to use for different stories.
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Whether you’re a leader in your business or in your community, or both, using storytelling to inspire and motivate is an invaluable skill. We’ll explore how stories can foster a sense of belonging and shared values.
The Investment
Join us for 5-weeks of magic.
$450 or two payments of $225.
A reminder of what’s included:
5 digital modules, delivered weekly with slides, bite-sized videos and resource lists.
50-page workbook with exercises, examples, and checklists to help you take action.
5 Live group coaching sessions to work through material together, workshop material, and gain real-time insights
Private online community to share work, get feedback, and make connections.
Access to two optional 60-minute one-on-one calls with me, where we can dive deep and refine your stories together. (Additional fee only available to course participants.)
Lifetime access to the course materials and community.
StoryCraft 2024 begins August 29th.
We will meet live on Thursdays from 10am - 11:30am PST from August 29th through October 3rd. Not to worry if you can’t attend live: recordings will be sent out! You’ll also have access to me during the program via Voxer, where I will be available to review your work, answer questions, and offer mentorship.
Optional Bonus:
As a participant in the course, you’ll have access to two optional one-on-one 60-minute calls with me. During this time we can:
edit your stories in real time.
brainstorm ideas and direction for your Origin Story (or other stories you’d like to work on).
strategize about where and how to use your new stories (social media, email, in presentations, etc.).
work through any nervous system dysregulation and mindset block that come up as you put yourself out into the world in a more vulnerable way.
do a deep dive into any aspect of the course you would like to better understand.
$125 per call
(NOTE: This price is only available to participants in the class and must be used within one month after the final live group session.)
"Not only is Taji's process transformative, but she is such a pleasure and joy to work with. She helped me get to the heart of my business origin story. When I connected with Taji, I was in the middle of a website redesign for my business and was tasked with rewriting all the copy for it. Working with Taji helped me to explore and express my business story so that it was truly aligned with who I am, my values and what I want for my business. She also helped me come up with a social media strategy that will not only move the needle in my business but also create habits around this previously dreaded task that feel good and are sustainable. I cannot recommend Taji's story coaching enough!" Lisa Smith, owner Simplify Studio
Storytelling is the new marketing.
Vulnerability is the new power-move.
Community-Building is the new growth metric.
FAQs
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Congrats on taking the leap from idea to business! That is no small thing. And YES this is exactly where you should be. The sooner you get crystal clear on how to talk about yourself and your business, the stronger your brand will be and the easier it will be to attract your people.
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Welcome to the struggle bus! Imposter syndrome is REAL and every single business owner I know has it. BUT/AND we can’t let it run the show. This course is all about tapping into the magic that you uniquely bring to your business…and that is the first step out of imposter syndrome and into owning your story.
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Nope! Even better: I’ll be mentoring you so that you can easily write it (and other business stories) yourself.
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A good copywriter is worth their weight in gold (and I can recommend a few stellar ones!). Yes, if you need your website copy, landing page copy, or other brand copy written and you know writing is not your strong suit, I highly recommend hiring a copywriter. And also: regardless of anyone you hire, you need to be able to talk about yourself and your business in a way that feels authentic and connects with your dream clients. That’s what we do in this course.
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Once purchased, you have lifetime access to the course and community and can take (or retake) it at any time. For that reason, I do not offer refunds.
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Yes! You may pay in full or monthly with no penalty. I reserve two spots in each cohort for BIPOC and/or queer folx. If that’s you and you know this course is what you need right now, email me taji@tajimarie.com.
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Yes! I'm so happy you're here. This course has been helpful to many people who are in leadership (or aspire to be). You'll gain fundamental story skills that will help improve your leadership in so many ways.