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The Story That Changed How I Simplified My Business
The Day I Didn’t Get Fired (Unfortunately)
I’m standing at the register, extending my hand out toward a customer, gesturing for his lunch bill, when he leans in, his beard bristling with indignation, and says,
"You should be fired. What you're doing is illegal…"My first thought is, “Sir, I’ve been trying to get fired for years. If I could, I would.”
My second is, “I know you're mad, but what we’re doing is not illegal…btw, love the beard…”I don’t say any of this. Owning a restaurant, I’m used to occasional customer outbursts.
I gently skip over his attack, smile, and ask him if he enjoyed his meal.
He says, “The food was amazing, but it’s illegal to NOT take cash for my lunch bill.”
"I’m glad you like the food, sir. It may be unusual, but it’s NOT illegal to ONLY take credit cards for payment. I work 120 hours on a slow week, so this decision saves me hours every day."
"Instead of falling asleep standing while trying to count cash, I use the extra time to bake more of that amazing bread you just enjoyed. You’re welcome."
"Now, which credit card will you be using today, sir?"
The Lesson
Owning a too-busy-from-scratch restaurant in a tiny town with limited employees meant working lots of hours (that’s why I was excited about the thought of being fired) and needing to be different to keep up with this delicious monster we had created.
Eliminating cash was one of the best decisions we made. It simplified the finances and was great marketing.
Customers loved to tell the story of the place that only took credit cards.
Yes, people kept coming for the homemade chips, pickles, and pies, but they always talked about our no-cash outlaw business decision.
Why Storytelling Matters in Business
This experience taught me that bold, unique decisions not only simplify your business but also make you memorable.
When you share your story, you’re not just selling a product or service—you’re creating a connection. Stories like this one build trust, spark curiosity, and make your business stand out in a crowded market.
How do you stand out in your business?
Let’s Tell Your Story
I help entrepreneurs find and communicate their unique value and share it through storytelling.
Ready to stand out and connect with your audience?
Let’s work together to craft a story that inspires, connects, and sells. -
The Story That Changed How I Handled the Unexpected
Using Raw Sausage As A Pillow
I slowly wake up to the sound of my phone alarm.
My arm is numb, and I have raw sausage stuck to the side of my face.
No, this is NOT a new beauty hack. It’s the breakfast patties I was prepping for breakfast service when I fell asleep.
Owning a restaurant means falling asleep IN or AROUND food is not unusual for me. The raw meat is a first, but it’s better than the time I nodded off while cutting potatoes on the commercial slicer.
I reach for the closest kitchen towel to wipe the embarrassment off my face when the smell of something burning grabs my attention.
I hop off the stool, open the oven, and gasp…
"Nooooo, please no!"
Staring back at me are 32 loaves of barely recognizable bread saying, “You’re a horrible mother. You will pay for this…”
No truer words could’ve been spoken because it’s the 4th of July weekend. This means, in less than 2 hours, the dining room will be filled with smelly hiking boots, illegal fireworks, and caffeine addicts.
But now… I have no bread.
The Lesson
No bread for the hikers—100 bacon, egg & cheese sandwiches. No bread for the thick-cut French toast that the kids love to throw on the floor. No bread for the people who’ve planned today to be their Cheat Day.
I only have a few hours to solve my burnt bread dilemma before hundreds of hangry people show up at my front door.
I’m hoping genies work on holidays because I need an impossible wish granted—NOW. Plus, help cleaning raw sausage off my face.
Why Storytelling Matters in Business
Hi, I’m Heather. I help entrepreneurs tell good stories so their clients fall in love with them—and buy their stuff.
This story has a fun ending—I told it on stage at The Moth in Boston in front of hundred’s of people. But here’s the thing—you don’t need to tell longer stories on stage to connect with your clients.
Often, unexpected things happen in business, like burning all your bread. You need a wish granted.
Storytelling is that wish.
When you share your story, you’re not just solving problems—you’re connecting with your audience. Baby stories, like the ones you’re living every day, are a great place to start. You just need to develop your storytelling lens to see them.
Stories like this one build trust, spark curiosity, and make your business unforgettable.
How do you handle the unexpected in your business?How do you handle the unexpected in your business?
Let’s Tell Your Story
Ready to stand out and connect with your audience?
Let’s work together to craft a story that inspires, connects, and sells. -
The Story That Changed How I Communicate
Conversations Before The Internet
I’m trembling, sitting next to my mother, terrified to ask her this unthinkable question.
I know I have to ask, but the words are trapped in my throat. While avoiding eye contact, I somehow manage to birth the first few words.
"Mom, I need some..."
Time stands still while I forcefully dislodge the last word from my throat. It comes out in a whisper, one embarrassing letter at a time.
"...t-a-m-p-o-n-s."The Lesson
When I was 16, I was paralyzed by just the thought of saying "tampon" in front of my mother. You can imagine how the conversations around sex, love, and the magic of compounding interest went, right? They never happened.
I didn’t know how to ask for what I needed without feeling like my face would melt off from the heat of embarrassment. My communication skills sucked.Why Storytelling Matters
Most business owners know the value of their product or service, but they struggle to communicate it to their clients.
Storytelling is the most effective way to make more sales in your business—period (insert tampon joke). Why? Because no one will listen to you until you give them a reason. Tell them a good story—that’s your reason.
Just like I struggled to communicate back then, many entrepreneurs face the same challenge today. They know they have something amazing to offer, but they don’t know how to share it in a way that connects with their audience.
That’s where I come in.Hi, I’m Heather
I help entrepreneurs tell good stories so their clients fall in love with them—and buy their stuff.
Storytelling is the emotional bridge that connects you with your clients, making you different in the best way.
Bonus: If you’re scared to try something new or need the courage to stand out in a crowd, I’ve got you covered. I’ve been helping people successfully step out of their comfort zones for years as a mindfulness and breathing coach.
Being vulnerable is scary, but it’s also your biggest asset. Let me help you find your story and share it in a way that makes your audience fall in love with your business.Let’s Tell Your Story
Ready to tell your story?
Let’s work together to craft a story that connects, inspires, and sells.