Your Origin Story Unlocked: Confidence, Clarity & Connection for Entrepreneurs, Creatives & Leaders

A LIVE online course to help you confidently craft and share your story — one that feels good to you AND resonates with the people you want to reach.

It’s time to FINALLY own your story.

Every time you talk about yourself or your work you are telling a story. Let’s craft a story that cultivates connection and expands your impact.

We begin January 2025

EVERYONE IS A STORYTELLER

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EVERYONE IS A STORYTELLER >

a new entrepreneur learning all about storytelling best practices for business

Creative business folx, leaders, and don’t-fit-into-a-box entrepreneurs: Have you ever found yourself stumbling over the question, “What do you do?”

Maybe you answer with a boring bullet-point list of your work experience…and see the other person’s eyes glaze over.

Or maybe you start to ramble, jumping all over the place, and loose track of what you wanted to say.

Or you spend hours scrolling Instagram, looking at other people’s “intro posts” and get frozen in comparison and overwhelm.

I get it. I’ve been there.

Scared to put my real self out there, frozen by imposter syndrome, and unsure if my story even matters.

Well, I’m here to tell you that it does matter. In fact, your story, your reason WHY you do the work you do….that’s your magic dust.

tropical leaves as a background

What if talking about yourself and your work was easy, engaging, and sparked real connection?

If you’re ready to own your story and (finally) feel good showing up as YOU, you’re in the right place.

Welcome to Your Origin Story Unlocked.

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

alexandra roark embodiment coach
trauma informed business coach taji marie

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.

storytelling and content strategy coach taji marie

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 when you lead a meeting;

  • Unsure how to answer the question, “What do you do?”

  • 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 & be a stronger leader, but aren’t sure where to start;

  • Like you’re “not a writer” so you can’t possibly write your story.

What if you could feel:

  • Confident telling people your business origin story;

  • 100% like yourself when answering the question, “What do you do?”;

  • Excited to show up online and in person;

  • Connected to your community from sharing the vulnerable parts of your story;

  • Super clear on your values and why they are the heart of your work;

  • Full of ease when you talk about yourself in professional or personal settings.

You can, and then some.

master storyteller taji marie

Your Origin Story Unlocked: Confidence, Clarity & Connection for Entrepreneurs, Leaders & Creatives

  • 3 digital modules of multiple lessons, delivered in bite-sized videos.

  • Interactive workbook with exercises, examples, and templates to help you take action.

  • 4 Live Zoom sessions where I answer your questions and help you work through material in real-time.

  • 7-weeks of Voxer access; I’ll be in your pocket and available to answer questions, give story edits, and help you with mindset pep-talks Mon-Thurs 10am - 2pm.

  • Access to one optional 45-minute one-on-one Story Coaching Session with me, where we can dive deeper and refine your story for the exact place you want to use it. (Additional fee only available to course participants.)

At the end of this course, you’ll have crafted an origin story that feels like you AND one you’re eager to share.

Here’s my promise: I will give you the permission and tools to own your story, to lean in to vulnerability, and to cultivate connection with your people.

“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

dj kara an event dj

Your Origin Story Unlocked overview

Over 4-weeks we’ll navigate 3 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 four live sessions to review your questions and unearth the heart of your story. If you’re not able to make the live sessions, you’ll get the replays (and you’ll have the opportunity to send me your question ahead of time).

As a participant in the course, you’ll have access to one optional 45-minute one-on-one Story Coaching Session with me, where we can dive deep and refine your story in real time together.

  • We begin with the foundation for why storytelling is essential and empower you to embrace your natural ability to tell stories.

    Lesson 1: Why Storytelling Matters & How it Works (the science and power of stories)

    Lesson 2: Everyone is a Storyteller (dispelling myths, building confidence, and embracing a storyteller's mindset)

    Lesson 3: Emotional Intelligence in Storytelling (using emotions to fuel connection and accessing vulnerabilty)

  • I'll guide you through the process of finding and shaping your origin story using tools, exercises, and practical techniques.

    Lesson 1: Identifying Your Story (Exercises and prompts to uncover pivotal moments and pinpoint your "why.")

    Lesson 2: Crafting Your Story (Templates and frameworks to organize and find the heart of your story. Tips on using AI to get your story out and not loose the good stuff.)

    Lesson 3: Skill Building & Story Development (Practical techniques for storytelling delivery.)

  • We'll build the skills you need to share your story with ease and confidence in various professional contexts, while managing vulnerability and nerves.

    Lesson 1: Practical Application – When & How to Use Your Story (Tailoring your story for different audiences & integrating it into everyday communication.)

    Lesson 2: Working with the Nerves: Overcoming Storytelling Anxiety (Techniques for managing nerves and stage fright; finding connection; shifting your mindset.)

    Lesson 3: Vulnerability Hangovers: How to Move Past Self-Doubt (Strategies for reframing and embracing vulnerability.)

    Lesson 4: Case Studies & Examples (Analyzing real-life examples of origin-story use.)

The Investment

Join me for seven weeks of story crafting.

$297 (course videos, 4 Live Q&A sessions, workbook, 7 weeks Voxer access)

OR

$397 (everything above PLUS one 45-minutes one-on-one Story Coaching 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

lisa smith owner of simplify studio

Storytelling is the new marketing.

Vulnerability is the new power-move.

Community-Building is the new growth metric.

FAQs

  • It's the story about how and why you came to be doing the work you do today. Maybe it's the story of how you started your own business. Or how you went from hobby to professional as an artist/writer/designer. Or how you became the leader you are today.

    You origin story is your special sauce. It's a magnet for your people.

    Honing this story will help you do two critical things:  

    (#1) Do the inner work to figure out what really matters to you; and

    (#2) Do the outer work to be able to feel good showing up as yourself.

    Having this story in your back pocket means you'll feel more confident and like yourself. You'll be able to talk about yourself and your work in a way that is concise, is engaging and sparks connection.

  • 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.

  • 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 the table…and that is the first step out of imposter syndrome and into owning your story.

  • 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 you show up in meetings, presentations, and cultivate connection with your team.

  • Nope! Even better: I’ll be mentoring you so that you can easily write it (and other business stories) yourself.

  • 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.

  • Once purchased, you have lifetime access to the course and can take (or retake) it at any time. For that reason, I do not offer refunds.

  • I don't offer a payment plan for this course. However, 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.