I need help with my founder story.

My client's founder story was technically perfect.

Hey friend,

Last week I was coaching a client on storytelling.

She shared her "vulnerable" founder story about starting her business.

It was perfectly crafted. Professional. Inspiring.

And I literally yawned halfway through.

Not because her story was bad.

But because it felt like she was reading from the Founder Story Handbook, Chapter 3: "How to Sound Relatable While Staying Safe."

Here's what I told her (and what I learned the hard way):

Your story isn't supposed to be perfect. It's supposed to make people feel something.

In my guide, I break down storytelling psychology into three parts:

Emotion: Make them feel it, don't just tell them about it.

Empathy: Help them see themselves in your mess.

Engagement: One messy moment beats a perfect timeline.

My client's original story: "I started my business after years of corporate burnout and eventually found success."

BORING!!!!!!

Her real story: "I quit my job via a crying voicemail to my boss while sitting in my car eating a gas station sandwich at 2 PM on a Wednesday."

Now we're talking.

The second version makes you feel the desperation. You can picture that gas station parking lot. You remember your own rock-bottom Tuesday moments.

Same journey. Different connection.

Most founders think vulnerability means sharing struggles with happy endings.

But real vulnerability? It's sharing the moment when you felt most human.

Your turn:

What's the messy, imperfect moment behind your polished founder story?

The gas station sandwich moment. The crying in the bathroom moment. The "what have I done" moment.

That's your gold.

"Love, Learn, and Live Storytelling" helps you find those human moments and turn them into stories that actually connect.

For seven bucks.

Reply and tell me your messiest founder moment. I bet it's better than your LinkedIn version.

From my beautifully imperfect journey,

Stephen

P.S. Perfect stories are forgettable. Messy stories are unforgettable.

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