Discover The Stories StoryTerrace Help Share.

How much do you really know about your parents?

We all assume we know plenty about the people who raised us, but think about everything you experienced during your childhood and teen years. You probably have hundreds of stories to tell.

But could you tell hundreds of stories about your parents' lives before you were born? They experienced just as many ups and downs and lived through an interesting slice of history, too. Do you know enough of the details to pass their stories to your children and grandchildren?

Getting Answers Before Time Runs Out

In a recent Wall Street Journal article, Sarah Smith lamented not asking her mother about her childhood before she succumbed to memory loss from Alzheimer’s disease. Thanks to social media, there’s a big generational gap in what and how much we share of ourselves, so it can be devastating to realize that there’s no record of your parents' hopes and dreams.

"I think younger people find it difficult to understand parents and grandparents who haven’t documented in the way they are doing," says Rutger Bruining, StoryTerrace’s CEO.

At StoryTerrace, we’ve done some research into this phenomenon, and we discovered something shocking: 45% of people report that they’ve learned more about their parents’ lives from discovering family possessions, overhearing conversations, or speaking with other family members, rather than directly from their parents themselves.

On top of this, 35% of those surveyed said they really admire their parents' achievements but don’t know how they accomplished what they did. Another 21% said they didn't know anything about their mother and father before they became parents.

11 Questions to Ask Your Parents Right Now

If we’ve learned anything from the pandemic, it’s that you never know what tomorrow will bring. That’s why we believe it’s so important to have meaningful conversations with loved ones while we still have the opportunity.

To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of questions to ask your parents today. Use them to open up conversations and get to know the people who raised you on a deeper level.

1. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
2. Who was your best friend? Where are they now?
3. What was the most rebellious thing you ever did as a teenager or young adult?
4. Do you think you chose the right career path? Do you have any regrets?
5. How did you meet the love of your life, and when did you know they were the one for you?
6. What kind of parent did you think you would be, and how does that compare to the kind of parent you actually were?
7. What did you find was the most difficult aspect of raising children? Is there anything you would have done differently?
8. What advice would you give me now?
9. Do you see any of yourself in me?
10. Do you think we could be closer? What would you change about our relationship now?
11. Is there anything you want to ask me?

Now that you’ve gathered some incredible stories from your parents, it’s time to preserve them. StoryTerrace specializes in transforming your parents’ memories into a beautiful book to pass down for generations to come.

Contact us today to learn how to get started or sign up for our newsletter so you don't miss any of our original content.

The first thing you realize when you speak with Jo Davey is that she is sharp. She can rattle off the details of just about any event in her life with so much detail that you, the lucky listener to the story, feel like it only happened yesterday.

That was my experience, at least, when I spoke with Jo over the phone about her StoryTerrace autobiography, Life Is an Adventure, Not a List. Her strong memory might well be attributed to the power of writing: Jo kept years’ worth of pocket diaries over the course of her life, where she tracked all the things that happened to her each day.

"I’ve always written," Jo says. "I like writing."

Even so, Jo found the task of turning her diaries into a full memoir to be a tall order. As the oldest living member of her family, Jo is the last person left who knows about the old days and ways. She wanted very much to preserve her memories of her parents and grandparents and the life they lived before and during World War II.

But despite her best efforts, the memoir wasn’t happening. "When I started writing, I found it to be too difficult," Jo recalls. There was so much to say, but how should it be said?

That’s when Jo’s daughter Lesley gave Jo the gift of StoryTerrace. "It was so easy," Jo says of working with a professional writer, who interviewed Jo and helped edit her existing work. "Of course, at my age it’s easy to sit and talk about the past," Jo says.

Jo Davey's finished book Life is an Adventure, Not a List

The War Years

One of the reasons Jo had trouble writing her memoir on her own was that it was so hard to know where to start, and what readers would find interesting. Quite a lot of things happened to Jo, you see. Born in 1928, she was just a girl when the Germans began dropping bombs on London in 1940. At the time, she lived in Penge with her mother, father, and baby sister.

Jo with Dad, Mum, and baby sister Janet just before the war

The height of the Blitz was terrifying for Jo, who was just a schoolgirl at the time. "School went on," she told me grimly, and everyone did their best to be brave. But she never knew when she went to school who would be there the next day — and who was gone forever, a victim of an air raid.

An excerpt from Jo's book titled "The Deadly Wave"

Jo’s family eventually evacuated to a farm on the Welsh border. There they lived with kind relatives with enough food to share, and Jo’s mother could begin to recover her nerves after the trauma of the siege.

Working Girl

When Jo was just 16, she knew she was done with school. "In those days, university was very expensive, and I knew I was not going," she explains. Instead, she got a job to help the family — and in doing so, became a trailblazer. Jo became the youngest-ever female employee of the Bank of England.

Jo with her colleagues from the Bank of England

While working, Jo lived in housing provided by the Bank of England near their evacuated offices. At the hostel, Jo shared a bedroom with five other young women — a privilege for which she still had to pay rent!

Jo continued to work for the Bank of England for 14 years but was forced out when she and her husband Harry had their first child. At that time, the Bank refused to keep a pregnant woman on staff and would only hire her back at a much lower position after the baby, Lesley, was born. Jo refused the offer of mundane work: "I wasn’t that sort of person. I like to use my brain, and it would have been painfully dull."

A Creative Streak

Jo recalls being very self-sufficient during the War. "In the war, everybody grew things in their gardens and allotments," she says. She also remembers making sure nothing went to waste: not food, not paper, and certainly not fabric.

Jo on holiday in Ramsgate after the War, wearing clothes she made herself

When asked about the photo above, Jo talked about what she was wearing. "You were given a certain number of coupons for clothing," she says. "But we made everything because it was easier to buy material" than it was to buy a finished skirt or blouse. In the photo above, Jo remembers that she made the skirt from pieces of salvaged material. The jumper (that’s a sweater for our American readers) was reknit from an old cardigan that Jo painstakingly unraveled to preserve the yarn.

Jo’s creativity also extended to the stage. She loved to perform and played many roles over the years. In fact, she and her husband Harry both enjoyed acting. Harry liked comedies and musical revues, but Jo preferred serious roles. Her favourite was the lead in Dial M for Murder.

Jo performing in a pantomime as Puss in Boots

History Is Made of the Stories We Tell

In speaking to Jo and reading her memoir, a rich world opened up to me. There were colorful characters and naughty children. There was the sound of laughter, but also of machine gun fire from German planes strafing her neighborhood. There was young love and righteous indignation about sexist policies in the post-war workplace.

Jo as the mother of two young children in 1964

Jo’s life is our history, as she lived it. Yet I suspect that if we hadn’t heard her tell her story, we would see her only as in the photo above, as a typical mother and later a fine old lady and honorary grandmother. Those are, of course, two incredibly important roles. But if her daughter had never insisted that Jo preserve her story, we might never have had the opportunity to know the full woman. In so doing, we get an intimate look at the history of the 20th century through the eyes of someone who was really there.

And that’s an incredible gift.

Do you have an older relative whose story is worth preserving? StoryTerrace can help you learn much more about your parents and grandparents’ lives. To find out more about working with our professional writers, get in touch with us today.

If you would like to find out more about Jo's remarkable story, she was featured in The Sun.

Whether you're looking forward to creating a master shopping list for the festive season or have a loved one with an important birthday coming up, choosing the perfect gift is a big deal. You want to show that you know this person very well, and you want to make them happy. You also want your gift to be meaningful and memorable.

This is a tall order for any gift, but it can be especially challenging when you're shopping for someone who already has everything.

You know the type. Maybe this person is an avid shopper and has already sampled every hot new item out there. Or maybe it's someone you've been giving gifts to your whole life — or theirs! — and you're running out of ideas.

Or maybe it's someone older who is actively downsizing, making even the most clever item feel a little off, as it could take up too much valuable space. And of course, the older someone is, the more likely it is that they've had a lifetime to experience every gift under the sun already.

So what can you possibly offer that will be fun, fresh, and — most importantly — appreciated?

Give the Gift of Experiences

Much has been written about how the Millennial generation has changed the economy by prioritising experiences over possessions (and spending their money accordingly).

It turns out they were on to something!

Happiness researchers have found that people get greater satisfaction out of purchases that include doing something rather than just owning something. Experiences like eat-in restaurants or outdoor activities rank more highly than material possessions — including luxury items — when it comes to creating happiness.

There are a few reasons for this mood boost. First, experiences lead to greater anticipation in the days before you actually go rock climbing or sit down at a restaurant table, and all the thinking you do ahead of time adds to the pleasure of the gift. Then, the experience itself is novel and keeps you living "in the moment" while it's happening — an important aspect of mindfulness that is also linked to greater happiness.

Finally, experiences are fleeting, which leads to pleasant memories and nostalgia that you build around the event. It's hard to recall a fond memory about a piece of jewellery or electronic gadget, but it's easy to relive a holiday or amazing meal (especially if they make for a good story to tell your friends).

Experiences, then, are the gifts that keep on giving. They're also perfect for people who already have too many things because they don't take up any room at all — except in one's memory.

4 Great Experiences to Give

For the gift of an experience to be meaningful, it should offer the novelty of trying something new without being too far outside of someone's comfort zone. You know the recipient best, so don't terrify someone with a hang gliding excursion if they're afraid of heights.

No matter who you're shopping for, the best experiences fall into four main categories:

1. Learning a New Skill: Whether the recipient has always wanted to learn a particular skill and never had time or is getting the chance to deeply explore something in their wheelhouse of interests, learning gifts are highly engaging. Options include music and art lessons, museum passes, online courses in specific subjects, and a lecture series.

2. Trying Something New: For a less cerebral approach to your gift, go for something that will activate the senses or get the body moving. Options include adventure sports, travel, wine tasting, and outdoor activities.

3. Self-Discovery: When someone already has everything, it may be time to look inward. For older recipients, writing an autobiography or creating a book of photographs spanning the decades is a wonderful activity. For younger giftees, it may be illuminating to work with a career or life coach to gain clarity.

4. Self-Indulgence: Most people don't take the time to indulge themselves, so an experience built around relaxation or a luxurious pampering makes a wonderful gift. A massage or spa day is the classic choice, but other wellness options like a trip to natural hot springs or a personalised session with a nutritionist can also be great.

If you have a loved one who would enjoy the gift of self-discovery, we're here to help! StoryTerrace pairs people with professional biographers to interview them about their life story. Sure, you get a professionally bound book at the end, but the experience of telling your life story and putting your formative years into context is a priceless — and possibly transformative — experience.

Ready to give the gift of StoryTerrace? Get in touch to work with one of StoryTerrace’s professional writers to interview your loved one for their personal biography - or to gift them one of our Welcome Boxes in the run up to Christmas!

Senior Writer

Rebecca Ferrier is a writer and biographer whose work has taken her across Norwegian fjords and into the Alps via the Orient Express.

This year, she won a prize in the Bridge Award's Emerging Writer category. She has also been shortlisted for the Tibor Jones Page Turner Prize, with her fiction featured in numerous anthologies and published by The Toast and For Books’ Sake.

Rebecca splits her time between Bath and Edinburgh. When she’s not busy writing, Rebecca can usually be found in the Wiltshire countryside in sturdy shoes with two muddy dogs, or volunteering for the National Trust.

ST: Whose biography would you most like to write?

Richard Bradley, an eccentric botanist and lecturer at Cambridge University in the 1720s. He was known for never turning up to his own classes and for writing the first Stilton cheese recipe.

ST: Why do you enjoy writing for StoryTerrace?

The friendships made with clients. You can form a close bond with someone after working on such an intimate project with them. I’ve been so privileged to meet so many interesting people.

ST: Describe StoryTerrace in three words.

Dedicated. Compassionate. Professional.

ST: What is the most memorable story you've told as a writer?

I spent a night with a ghost-hunting group in an unfinished gothic mansion, tucked away in a Gloucestershire wood. I was working as a journalist at the time and witnessed a spooky incident or two that I still cannot explain. I also discovered that bat poo is green – RIP beloved quilted jacket.

ST: What is your biggest fear?

Soggy dessert. Tiramisu, summer pudding, and trifle are horrifying. What’s more, they look unaesthetically pleasing when served at a dinner party – and does anyone really like custard? I have been known to weep hysterically when confronted with Eton mess.

ST: What's something that people would be surprised to learn about you?

I trained in duck whispering at a young age.

Nine-year-old Rebecca duck whispering at Niers River in Weeze, Germany

ST: What trait do you admire most in others?

Kindness.

ST: If you hadn't become a writer, what career would you have right now?

I’d be a terrible potter, making unbalanced vases and bizarrely abstract ornaments I would thrust onto loved ones at Christmas.

ST: What is your most treasured possession?

The outrageously talented friends I have made.

ST: Who are your favourite writers?

Charlotte Brontë, Daphne du Maurier, Alexandre Dumas.

ST: What is your motto?

Touch Not This Cat – Dad’s family belongs to the McGilvrays, a Scottish clan with the wildcat as its symbol and this line as its motto.

ST: If you were a vegetable, what would you be?

Parsnip. Overlooked in some countries and thought to bring madness in others, this woody root is said to become sweeter in harsh and frosty conditions. And who can resist a honey-roasted parsnip with a proper Sunday roast?

Rebecca on a country walk with Ruby the Springer Spaniel

Lightning Round!

ST: Salty or sweet?

Salty, I’m sweet enough (usually).

ST: Morning lark or night owl?

Morning lark, for a sunrise carries unseen stories with it.

ST: Paperback or e-reader?

A dog-eared, creased, and stained paperback. One that’s gone wrinkly after it’s been dropped in a bath and then dried out on a radiator.

ST: Vintage or modern?

Vintage.

ST: X-ray vision or time travel?

Oh, time travel; far more opportunities for mischief.

A nostalgic photo of Rebecca dressing up for Halloween as a child

If Rebecca’s passion for storytelling has inspired you to get to write your own biography, get in touch to schedule a free consultation. You can also use our Writer Search Tool to find the perfect writer for your project today.

Southeastern Pennsylvania is a beautiful place that’s famous for its gently rolling hills and neatly manicured fields. Known affectionately as "Dutch Country" to locals, this area is one of the most fertile and well-managed stretches of farmland in the world. Though Lancaster County is the most well-known tourist destination in the region, the Pennsylvania Dutch settled wide swaths of an area that stretches from Lehigh to York County.

Nestled in York County on the western edge of Dutch Country is Hanover, a borough of nearly 16,000 people and the home of a trio of businesses that have thrived in the area for generations: J.F. Rohrbaugh, a mill that manufactured wood products and continues to sell pallets and packaging materials; Hanover Foods, distributor of canned and frozen produce; and Snyder’s of Hanover, a popular snack company with a global reach. Though each company has a different mission, all three have been in the same extended family since their founding.

Synder's of Hanover, founded in Pennsylvania in 1909, produces a range of pretzel snacks which can be bought in stores around the world.

I recently had the pleasure of speaking to Steve Yelland, President of JFR Holdings. JFR Holdings is the parent company of J.F. Rohrbaugh, West Side Wood Products, and Bruce Jones Contractors. As a member of the next generation of businesspeople in his family, Steve wanted to pass along the history and wisdom of the entrepreneurs who started it all.

Steve Yelland’s StoryTerrace book tells the history of his family’s three successful businesses

What It Means to Hail From Dutch Country

The first thing to know about the Pennsylvania Dutch is that they aren’t Dutch at all. The term Dutch is an anglicised pronunciation of Pennsylvania Deutsch, which means German. German settlers from the Rhineland settled in Pennsylvania as early as the late 1600s and were hugely influential in developing the Pennsylvanian countryside in the years leading up to the American Revolution. Pennsylvania Dutch is a language and culture in its own right, and these hardworking, inventive farmers built strong communities that were often so self-sufficient that many continued to function in German (rather than English) for hundreds of years — often well into the early twentieth century.

Though the Amish are perhaps the most famous group of Pennsylvania Dutch speakers, not all — or even most — Pennsylvania Dutch people eschewed modern technology. Steve Yelland’s family, for instance, was among many in the area who embraced mechanisation and worked to streamline production. He also credits his Pennsylvania Dutch heritage for the strong work ethic that led to his family’s triple business success.

Though the J.F. Rohrbaugh mill was devastated by a major tornado in 1917, the company quickly regrouped and emerged from the disaster stronger than ever as they helped the community rebuild.

The Breadbasket of Pennsylvania

Because Dutch Country is largely farmland, it’s no surprise that these family businesses are closely connected to the land. In fact, some of Steve’s earliest memories of the family business involve walking the fields with his grandfather, Alan Warehime, the head of Hanover Foods. "We would follow the combines and catch the vines off the back, and then split the remaining pods open to eat the raw peas," Steve remembers.

Listen to Steve read an excerpt from his StoryTerrace book his childhood memories of the family business:

Listen on SoundCloud

As children, Steve and his cousins were also allowed to sample warm, fresh pretzels as they came down the oven line at the Snyder’s facility. "I loved them because they were like a hot, soft pretzel with tons of salt," Steve recalls. Both hard pretzels and potato chips have a long history in Dutch Country, and there were many small, local snack producers throughout the region. It’s a testament to the family’s work ethic and business acumen that Snyder’s of Hanover was able to streamline production and expand their reach beyond Dutch Country to the rest of the world as the twentieth century progressed.

Snyder’s delivery trucks brought snacks to a wider audience, thanks to the opening of the PA Turnpike in the middle of the twentieth century.

Preserving the Past for Future Generations

Like many people, Steve was motivated to preserve his family’s story after realising that there was so much that members of the younger generation didn’t know about their ancestors. As the extended family came together to form a new foundation, discussion revealed that the younger generation had no idea how it all began — a knowledge gap that Steve was determined to rectify. "We had to get to the older people before they can’t tell their story," he explains.

Midcentury employees at Hanover Foods sorting produce for quality control.

At first, Steve tried to research and write his family history on his own, seeking help from the history faculty at nearby Gettysburg College. When the project stalled, he took a friend’s advice to try StoryTerrace for professional help.

Steve ultimately sat for several interviews with StoryTerrace Senior Writer Linda Hummel. Linda went on to conduct interviews with several family members and worked with information provided by the Hanover Historical Society to complete the book. Steve praises Linda’s interviewing skills for bringing the family together and ultimately helping to build better relations among different factions. "Linda was great. She identified potential family dissension and handled it well," Steve says.

Mike and Allen Roth showing off Hanover Food’s latest innovation in 1967: glass jars instead of cans.

With the completed book printed and distributed to all family members, the younger generation now has proof of their ancestors’ hard work to guide them in their own business — and life — decisions.

Does your family have a unique story to tell? StoryTerrace specializes in both family histories and business books for entrepreneurs and other professionals. Explore StoryTerrace Pro for more information, or get in touch to learn more about hiring a professional ghostwriter.

Behind Every Successful Business There’s a Story

It might be a tale of early mornings and late nights, or of moments of genius that went on to change an industry. It might be a story about huge risks paying off, or one about careful growth and patient investment.

Whatever the narrative, telling it — and telling it well — is one of the most vital ways that companies connect with their customers. Whether buying a coffee or a computer, knowing a company’s story builds an emotional connection that inspires loyalty and enthusiasm.

More than ever, customers choose where they shop and what they buy because of the story behind the product and the values it embodies. Indeed, a powerful story was what helped some of the most well-known products in the world get their foothold.

Here are just a few of the moving tales behind everyday things.

Instant Ramen: A Rags to Riches Story

Instant Ramen founder Momofuku Ando

The inventor of the instant noodle wasn’t always a successful businessman. At the start of the 1950s, Momofuku Ando was facing bankruptcy and had endured a spell in prison for providing scholarships to students, which at the time was considered a form of tax evasion. Things couldn’t have been worse.

But Ando wasn’t about to give up. Angered by scenes of his fellow citizens queuing for food in post-war Japan, he sequestered himself in his garden shed. There, surrounded by chickens and gardening equipment, he spent months perfecting the recipe for the first-ever instant noodle.

Nowadays you can pick up a packet of instant ramen in almost any grocery store in the world. At the time, however, the concept was unheard of. Ando’s invention took the world by storm, and within just a few years he was a millionaire.

Despite all his success, Ando never forgot where it all began. To this day, a replica of his original humble garden shed stands in a museum in Yokohama, where it is visited by millions of tourists each year.

FedEx Gambled Everything — and Won

FedEx founder Frederick Smith

FedEx is now a household name synonymous with rapid, reliable package delivery. However, few people know that this iconic company almost disappeared in its first few years of operation.

Founder Frederick Smith started FedEx with a combination of loans and inheritance money. This capital was invested in a fleet of airplanes that would revolutionize package delivery — but only if they had enough fuel to fly. Rising oil prices brought the company dangerously close to bankruptcy just a few years after it began.

Knowing that FedEx would fold without an injection of fresh capital, Frederick took an extraordinary risk. He gathered up the last of the company funds, flew to Las Vegas, and spent it all playing blackjack. This is definitely not something we’d recommend as a sound growth strategy!

Amazingly, though, Frederick won big. After just a week of gambling, he’d made enough to sustain FedEx through the fuel crisis — at least until he could secure more stable investment from other sources. FedEx survived, thrived, and soon became the giant that it is today.

The Bendy Straw Was Inspired by a Child

Portrait of Joseph B. Friedman, inventor of the flexible straw

Many great products have surprisingly humble beginnings. The bendy straw — nowadays so ubiquitous that few ever think about it having had an inventor — was one of these. It was developed in 1937, after Joseph B. Friedman saw his daughter struggling to drink from a tall milkshake glass.

All straws at the time were straight and couldn’t be bent without kinking. Joseph, a committed tinkerer, took it upon himself to improve on the design and patented the bendable straw a little later that year.

Since then, millions of bendable straws have been produced — so many that they’re now considered a generic product. Were it not for Joseph B. Friedman’s daughter, however, this small part of all our lives could have been quite different.

Sometimes, family and friends can truly be the most inspirational things in our lives.

Who Invented Monopoly? Secrets Revealed

_Elizabeth Magie, inventor of the Landlord’s Game, now known as Monopoly, in 1936_Whether you love it or hate it, just about everyone has gathered around to play the game of Monopoly. It took inventor Elizabeth J Magie many years and a great deal of tinkering to perfect the now-famous board game, but she never got the credit she deserved. Instead, Charles Darrow, who copied and tweaked Magie’s designs, was hailed for many years as the creator of Monopoly.

It wasn’t until very recently, in fact, that the record was set straight. Building on the academic work of Ralph Anspach, author Mary Pilon finally made sure that Magie’s story was told in her 2015 book The Monopolists.

Although Elizabeth never got to see just how popular her invention became, at least now her place in history is assured. With her story now down in writing, future generations won’t mistake the incredible legacy of Elizabeth Magie.

KFC Was Rejected More Than 1,000 times

KFC Founder Colonel Harland Sanders preparing a fresh batch of his signature fried chicken

The worldwide fast food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken had humble beginnings, with just a single outlet at a roadside gas station. When the station was bypassed by a new road, Colonel Harland Sanders set out with a pressure cooker and his secret blend of 11 herbs and spices, to sell his recipe as a franchise.

It was a difficult task. While reports vary, most note that Sanders was rejected more often than he was accepted – with some recording that he was turned down over 1,000 times as he wandered the country appealing to restaurant owners.

In the end, though, his incredible persistence paid off. By the time he sold the company in 1964, there were more than 600 chains selling KFC chicken — a number that has grown to 6,000 today.

What's Your Story?

These stories defined the products that we know and love, and helped shape the world we live in today. The world of tomorrow is still emerging, along with thousands more stories of businesses, brands, and ideas. Perhaps your story is among them?

If you want to tell the story of your business the right way, get in touch with StoryTerrace for an initial chat. We’ll help you craft a memoir that will connect with your customers.

And if you're not quite ready to tell your story yet? Sign up for our newsletter to be kept in the loop.

Senior Writer

Karl Hyppolite is a copywriter with a passion for storytelling, creative writing, and wordplay. He launched his writing career as a student at the University of Florida, where he studied English and journalism. Karl has written for several national publications and brands, including Sports Illustrated and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Karl originally hails from Haiti and currently calls Fort Lauderdale, Florida, home. Since childhood, Karl has embraced a life of creativity and self-expression. StoryTerrace clients have given Karl rave reviews for his loyal dedication to committing their stories to the page.

Karl at his graduation from kindergarten

ST: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I realized I wanted to be a writer during my first year of university. At the time, I decided I wanted to be a sports writer because I was always a good writer and I loved sports, so it just felt like a natural fit.

ST: Whose biography would you most like to write?

I would say Eminem or Jay-Z. I’m a big fan of both of them, and I think their paths toward success and personal growth are educational and inspiring.

ST: Why do you enjoy writing for StoryTerrace?

I enjoy writing for StoryTerrace because it takes me back to my days as a journalist writing feature articles. Getting to know the subjects of the story has been enjoyable, and bringing their stories to life has been more rewarding than I expected.

ST: If you were writing a StoryTerrace book of your life, what would be the title and why?

“Almost Actualized.” I’ve spent a lot of my life trying to be a better version of myself. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned what that means is constantly evolving, making self-actualization elusive and something I’m always striving to achieve.

ST: What surprised you most about working for StoryTerrace?

I think building a connection with my subjects. Each of them has gone from being strangers to almost being friends. Inevitably, I was writing their story because I was invested in their story.

ST: What is the most memorable story you’ve told as a writer?

One of my first stories ever published in the Gainesville Sun about the origin of Florida’s railroads. I wouldn’t call it my best story, but after struggling a bit as a freelancer, that was the first instance when I felt like I nailed it and could do this as a career.

ST: What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Personally, it would be having a family and writing a bestselling novel.

ST: What is your biggest fear?

Letting others down.

ST: What trait do you admire most in others?

Empathy. We need more of it these days than ever before.

ST: If you hadn’t become a writer, what career would you have right now?

I think being a comedian would be fun. I enjoy being silly and making people laugh if I can, and there’s still a writing element to it.

ST: Who are your favourite writers?

Brandon Sanderson, Stephen King, Geoff Johns, Roland Lazenby.

ST: What fictional character do you most identify with?

Superman, but not because of the powers. Superman’s humanity and doing the right thing because you should do the right thing is inspiring.

Lightning Round!

ST: Dogs or cats?

Dogs.

ST: Morning lark or night owl?

Night owl.

ST: Paperback or e-reader?

Paperback.

ST: Vintage or modern?

Modern.

ST: City or country?

City.

If Karl's rave reviews and personal connection to his clients has inspired you to get to work on your own biography, get in touch to schedule a free consultation. You can also use our Writer Search Tool to find the perfect writer for your project today.

Establishing Yourself as a Thought Leader

Establishing yourself as a recognised thought leader can have a powerful impact on your personal brand and business. Being regarded as an expert who is pushing the boundaries of your industry forward can create new opportunities, drive sales, and connect you with people you may never have thought possible before.

It's important to have a considered strategy when it comes to thought leadership; the following tips will help prepare you to grow your profile (and your business).

1. Establish Your Personal Brand and Messaging

The first step is to get clear on what you bring to the table. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What am I most passionate about?
• What is my unique skill set?
• What is my message?
• What legacy would I like to leave?

You'll also want to know exactly who your target audience is, including their age, preferences, location, needs, and pain points.

It’s also helpful to focus on a specific niche to cut through the noise in a crowded marketplace. To find your own slice of the market, consider your unique strengths, and don’t be afraid to get very specific about one topic — especially if you can offer real expertise that others cannot.

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Dr. Charles Redd, a StoryTerrace Pro client, published his book "Don't Stop Now" through various outlets including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Waterstone's

2. Build Your Social Media Audience

Researchers have found that in 2020, 3.8 billion people use social media. The average internet user spends 2 hours and 24 minutes on social media every day, and about half of the time people spend on mobile devices is devoted to using social media apps.

In this social media-driven environment, it definitely pays to build your profile and connect with your audience.

To do this, focus on creating consistent, unique content that adds genuine value to your target audience's lives. If you don't feel confident in this space, consider hiring a social media strategist to ensure that your platforms support your business goals.

3. Publish Your Book With StoryTerrace Pro

Publishing your own book is the ultimate way to demonstrate thought leadership. Authoring a book shows that you are serious about your knowledge and skills and demonstrates credibility. You can earn trust with your audience and generate additional revenue for your business.

StoryTerrace works with entrepreneurs, executives, consultants, and inventors who have amazing ideas but are too busy to complete a book on their own. We will match you with a talented ghostwriter recruited from leading newspapers, magazines, and publishing houses to craft your expertise into an engaging book.

From writing to editing, publishing and distribution to marketing, we support you every step of the way. Find out more about StoryTerrace Pro here.

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Our client Dr. Adam Abodeely shares how he has established himself as a thought leader in the world of medicinal cannabis and boosted sales of his products.

4. Become a Guest Speaker

Another great way to boost your profile as a thought leader is through public speaking. By sharing your knowledge at summits, conferences, or webinars, you'll demonstrate your expertise, build relationships and engage your target audience. Having several speaking engagements under your belt will also reassure potential clients and customers that you are a trusted leader in your field.

You can get started by identifying the top events in your industry and researching what kind of speaking opportunities are available. Many of the teams that organise major events look for speakers to apply six to 12 months before the actual event, so there are likely to be ample opportunities.

Next, develop your pitch. Create a compelling title and a brief outline of your presentation and include your biography, website, and social media platforms. After you send it off, be sure to follow up with a call or further email.

In the meantime, you may want to consider starting a YouTube or IGTV channel to develop your speaking skills and prove that you know how to deliver information in a succinct, engaging way.

5. Get the Right Support

The most successful thought leaders work with a great team. It needn't be large — recruiting a handful of experts to support you will help you push past any technical issues and allow you to focus on your area of expertise.

Start by working out what your needs are. For example, you may need a talented podcast editor, marketing manager, or copywriter to take care of tasks related to your thought leadership endeavours. Ask your network for recommendations, or use a freelance platform such as Upwork to find experts in communications.

6. Generate PR Opportunities

When building your reputation as a thought leader, hiring a PR agency or freelancer who will be able to generate press coverage on your behalf is often a wise move. Your PR team will work with you to create content related to you and your business. This will likely be in the form of press releases, guest articles, research, expert comments, research studies, case studies, and more.

The pros will then pitch these properties to journalists and media outlets, which are always looking for new stories and content. The idea of PR is to raise your visibility in the types of media that your target audience regularly consumes. Once your audience becomes aware of you, they can then find out more about how to purchase from you.

7. Change the Status Quo

If you want to make a big difference as a thought leader, there’s one question you need to regularly ask yourself: How am I driving my industry forward?

Daniel W. Rasmus, former Director of Business Insights for Microsoft, explains that your work should "intrigue, challenge, and inspire even people already familiar with a company. It should help start a relationship where none exists, and it should enhance existing relationships."

The ultimate thought leadership is about creating meaningful change and involves the courage to be different.

Are you ready for the challenge?

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Lashika & Anthony published a book about their success as a real estate husband and wife team with the help of StoryTerrace

If you are ready to become a thought leader in your industry, get in touch to arrange a chat with our friendly team to see how we can help. You can also join our mailing list for updates about StoryTerrace Pro business book publishing.

The NHS and the Nurses Association of Jamaica: A Legacy of Care

The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is a triumph of post-war rebuilding. Formed in 1948 during the difficult years following World War Two, the NHS provides free, complete care across the UK. Its mission has always been to ensure that all people had access to a doctor and the health services they need, and its existence proves that a country’s greatness arises in part from its commitment to the common good.

But developing a fully-funded, comprehensive medical care system from scratch was no easy feat. For starters, the country had a difficult time finding enough nurses to deliver the care that was so desperately needed. To fill in the gaps, the British government recruited nurses from its colonies, particularly the Caribbean.

A student nurse training class attended by many NAJ members

Enter the intrepid nurses of Jamaica, who left their homes for a new life in the UK, lured by the promise of deeper education and the chance to support communities back home. Many answered the call and moved to the UK to fill vacant nursing positions. They helped individuals in need and were fundamental in making the NHS a success.

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with two members of the Nurses Association of Jamaica, or NAJ for short. Dorothy Turner was a founding member of the NAJ when the group formed in 1977, and Paulette Lewis, MBE, is the current president.

Members of the NAJ honour Mary Seacole, a Jamaican nurse who served in the Crimean War. Dorothy is second from the left, in traditional Jamaican costume; Paulette is second from the right

The Birth of the NAJ

There is an extensive history of women and men from Jamaica offering aid to the British Empire. Nurse Mary Seacole, who treated the wounded during the Crimean War, was the first in a long line of soldiers, healers, and others who answered the call to serve over the decades.

So it was natural for nurses from Jamaica to rise to the occasion when the fledgling NHS needed help. Many saw it as an opportunity to gain excellent training and education that they hoped to bring back to Jamaica in the future. Others remained in the UK and dedicated their careers to helping underserved communities of colour.

As the number of Afro-Caribbean nurses in the UK grew, a group of nurses met for a healthcare conference in 1977. Realising that they could continue to network and exchange information — not to mention support incoming nurses in their quest for training, work, and belonging — the NAJ was born.

Some NAJ members during their working days, attending the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday celebrations in 1977

Tireless Service and Care

In addition to helping acclimate new nurses to the NHS, the NAJ conducted outreach to poor communities, provided professional education about the unique cultural and health needs of Black patients, and helped people in need around the world with their dedication to charitable work.

A newspaper clipping The NAJ featured in

Both Dorothy and Paulette served as midwives in the NHS, and they are particularly proud of their work guiding women from Africa, the Caribbean, and other regions through the health system in the UK. Many were afraid or uncertain of what to expect in a British hospital, so Dorothy and Paulette were educators and community supporters as well as medical experts.

Dorothy and Paulette have decades of nursing stories to tell, but some of their favorite moments were as midwives. Hear their incredible stories in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/q52p7iDJi00

As the years passed, the founding members of the NAJ grew older, as we all do. Many retired from service to enjoy other aspects of their lives, including travel and spending time with grandchildren. Some died of age or illness.

Knowing that their story would be lost if they didn’t act, a group of NAJ members and founders decided that the time had come to preserve their history. Paulette and Dorothy, along with Tony Leiba, Sherill Gregory, and Alina Wallace, began work on a complete history of the NAJ’s founding and work through the years.

The research and writing process was intense, and the group worked tirelessly to gather archives and anecdotes before they could be lost to time. They spent countless hours, working long nights to draft a manuscript.

When it came time to turn their words into a publishable book, the group turned to StoryTerrace for help. Paulette credits their StoryTerrace editor with helping tell the story in a way that would connect with readers. "She said to add more real-life things to link to the history and give our personal experiences. The goal was to try to tell the story differently, to make it much more real," she explained.

The book cover of the Nurses' Association of Jamaica Book, "Unity is Strength"

The result of their dedication is Nurses Association of Jamaica: 40 Years of Service, available on Amazon in print and as an e-book. The book preserves the full history of the NAJ as well as the stories of the individuals who worked tirelessly to help others, whether their patients, the next generation of nurses or the country at large. It’s a fitting legacy to the determination of this incredible group of nurses.

Members of the London and Birmingham branches at their 40th anniversary launch (top) at their gala dinner and dance in 2018 (bottom)

If you have an organisation whose story is worth sharing, StoryTerrace can help. Our authors and editors can work with one or many storytellers to compile an oral history that captures your group’s personality and mission. To find out more, get in touch today.