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Last week, I had the opportunity to film and interview Tony Robbins as part of a health and wellness project Iâm working on, capturing his personal health journey. While filming, I kept thinking about how much I wanted to share Tonyâs wellness story with friends and familyâsomething I could gift them to help on their health journeys.
Thatâs why, in this issue, Iâm jonesing to share:
- Why founders should treat their story as a gift
- 3 lessons on how to better âwrapâ your story as a gift
- One of my favorite videos that Iâd love to share with you
Enjoy this special âYour Story Is a Giftâ issue, and may you cherish all the gifts in your life this holiday season.
â LG
Founder Story Tip:
Give Your Story Away
Sharing your founder's story is one of the most generous acts you can do. This is why you need to give it to everyone willing to lend you an ear.
Your story might be EXACTLY what someone else needs to hear todayâto help them solve a challenge theyâre facing, to understand that theyâre not alone in their struggles, or to trigger an idea that could change how people build companies.
Looking back on the thousands of successful founders Iâve filmed over the years, Iâm captivated by the inspiration they gave meânot just to buy their product or tell someone about their service, but to share their stories because I was so moved by what they had gone through.
These stories donât just sell products or services. They create an emotional resonance that no marketing budget can buy.
Let me share 3 examples of founders who turned their personal stories into narrative gifts that helped build their brands:
SARAâS âBUTT VS. TOESâ DILEMMA
Sara Blakely, founder of SPANX, started out selling fax machines door-to-door in southern Florida. One sweltering summer day, she faced a fashion dilemma: she wanted to wear white pants with open-toed shoes but needed pantyhose to make sure her butt looked good. Not wanting the pantyhose to show, she grabbed scissors, cut off the feet, and wore themâsparking the idea for SPANX.
Sara poured her savings into developing her product, filed a patent herself, and faced repeated rejections from male-run manufacturers. Finally, a factory ownerâconvinced by his daughtersâagreed to produce it. Her persistence paid off when she boldly pitched a Neiman Marcus buyer, stepping into a dressing room to demonstrate the product. That meeting secured her first major order.
Today, SPANX is a global phenomenon generating over $300 million annually.
Saraâs journeyâfrom cutting up pantyhose to believing in her idea when no one else didâresonates deeply with women who relate to her practical fashion struggle and breaking into a male-dominated industry. Her story of determination and resilience continues to inspire audiences everywhere.
SCOTTâS SOULLESS NIGHTS
Scott Harrison spent a decade promoting New York City nightclubs, living what seemed like a glamorous life. But he felt empty. Recognizing the need for change, he sold his possessions and joined Mercy Ships, a humanitarian organization providing medical care in impoverished regions.
In West Africa, Scott witnessed the devastating effects of the global water crisis. This became his turning point. Back in New York, he leveraged his party-throwing expertise to launch Charity: Water, built on transparency to show donors exactly where their money went. His first fundraiser, a $20-for-entry birthday party, raised $15,000, funding wells in Uganda.
Since then, Charity: Water has raised over $700 million and provided clean water to millions. Scottâs transformation from a soulless lifestyle to a purposeful mission shows how even dark chapters can lead to extraordinary change.
HOWARDâS BROKEN FATHER
Howard Schultz grew up in the projects of Brooklyn, watching his father struggle in low-paying jobs with no benefits. When an injury left his father unable to work, Howard witnessed the humiliation of poverty firsthand as his father felt helpless. Determined to create a better future, he resolved to one day build a company that treated employees with dignity and respect.
At Starbucks, Howard made a groundbreaking move by offering comprehensive health insurance to part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week. This commitment created a culture where valued employees led to happy customers, helping Starbucks grow to 40,000 stores and become one of the worldâs most admired brands.
Howardâs story reminds us that past struggles can inspire a vision for a better future. By helping people take care of themselves, they will, in turn, take care of the brand. And it is why Starbucksâ values-based approach continues to inspire companies worldwide.
Storytelling Lessons: Give Your Story Away
Remember that your founder's story is a giftâa bridge that connects you to your audience and impacts your community and the world. Here are 3 key lessons to guide you so you can share this 'story gift' authentically and effectively:
