Description
Every day in America, women business owners are denied access to resources to achieve success. But a growing community of fierce founders are refusing to settle for the status quo. They’re rejecting gender and cultural biases and taking matters into their own hands. They know what they stand for and they want everyone else to know too. They’ve made a monumental shift in the way they talk about their business. Rather than focusing on WHAT they do, they’re leading with their WHY.
A Whyography is your founder story fueled by purpose. It combines the principles of storytelling and the power of purpose to honor your journey and what it took to get where you are today. It articulates the problems you’re solving and the difference you’re making in the world. Your Whyography connects you with consumers, investors and employees who align with your values, revere your brand, and become your biggest advocates.
This guidebook to developing your Whyography includes dozens of exercises and examples, plus the inspirational stories of more than 30 fierce founders who are leading with their WHY. Author Chris Olsen also shares outrageous moments from her 12-year radio career—from being asked to hide a recording artist’s handgun to transporting thousands of dollars in cash in her purse—and how the moments that tested her values ultimately led to the launch of her own purpose-driven business.
This book includes a special tribute to the memory of Maria Tototzintle of Tequila Digital Media, plus the stories of these women:
Leanne Aranador of Ladoru
Jacquie Berglund of FINNEGANS
Keri Bischoff of Keri Bischoff Consulting
Carrie Boe of SuperStrongChick
Laura Boyd of Leadership Delta
Allison Bross-White of B. Resale
Twila Dang of Matriarch Digital Media
Jordyn DiOrio Polski of MEND Jewelry
Susan Elwer of Spoonful Apparel
Val Fleurantin Turner of Coach Val
Junita Flowers of Junita’s Jar
Robyn Frank of Thumb’s Cookies
Lindsey Froemming of Fashion Fix
Sairey Gernes of Urban Undercover
Karla Heeter of Grace Gear
Nikki Hollerich and Anna Hagen of Hagen and Oats
Shawntan Howell of Girls Are Powerful
Laura Keller of Pixie Dust
Kylee Leonetti of Leonetti Confetti
Sarah Moe of Sleep Health Specialists
Susie Moschkau of Flip’em the Bird
Heidi Mueller of Excelsior Candle Company
Ginger Neilon of Baubles and Bobbies
Lindsey Ramundt of Coach Lindsey Beth
Katie Steller of Steller Hair Company
Lisa Tabor of CultureBrokers
Melissa Taylor of Beauty Lounge
Lauren VanScoy of Essence One and Six for Good
Kim Witczak of Woody Matters
Mary Kay Ziniewicz of Bus Stop Mamas
About the Author
Chris Olsen is the founder of Publish Her, a female-founded and focused publishing company, and Publish Her Story (formerly My Founder Story), a storytelling platform. Both organizations are dedicated to elevating the words, writing and stories of women. A broadcast media veteran turned communications consultant, educator and author, Chris has helped thousands of women tell their stories and publish their books.
