Once Upon a Business Idea: Why Every Entrepreneur Needs a Good Story
- wienotfilms
- Apr 28
- 2 min read
What do bedtime tales, blockbuster movies, and great pitches have in common? A well-told story. That’s the central theme of a new MarkingProfs article co-written by Joe Edger, CEO of Loca, and Marc Strong, founder and creative director of Wienot Films.
Joe is a serial entrepreneur and investor who has heard countless pitches from startups, while Marc has helped hundreds of companies and nonprofits tell their stories. In their article, they make the case that storytelling isn’t just for bedtime—it’s one of the most powerful tools an entrepreneur can wield.
"The best entrepreneurs have more than just a great idea and pitch. They’re also master storytellers."
Here are a few highlights from their article to whet your storytelling appetite.
Know Your Audience – And Put Yourself in Their Shoes
Whether your audience loves pickleball, coding, or craft beer, the first step to effective storytelling is speaking their language. The more relevant your references, the more likely they’ll lean in instead of zoning out. Ask what your audience needs to hear, not just what you want to say.
"Once you understand your audience, put yourself in their shoes and try to see the world through their eyes."
Tell a Story – Pick Your Framework
Like any enticing adventure, a compelling business story has a beginning, middle, and end. In their article, Joe and Marc lay out three classic storytelling frameworks that work wonders for entrepreneurs and businesses:
The Hero’s Quest – Your customer is the hero, your product is the sword, and the problem? Well, that’s the fire-breathing dragon.
The Horror Story – Show them what happens when they don’t act. Spoiler: it’s not great.
The Love Story – Life wasn’t terrible before... but now it’s even better. Cue the happy tears.
Lights, Camera, Connection – Leveraging Filmmaker Tools
“Filmmakers captivate audiences with more than just words... Entrepreneurs can leverage these same tools to bring their brand stories to life.”
Thinking like a filmmaker and employing similar storytelling tools can help you connect with your audience. Entrepreneurs can leverage visuals, sounds, and music to bring their brands to life. Visual storytelling—through animation, video, music, and more—can help you turn a message into a movement.
So… Why Does This Matter?
In business, as in life, the best story wins. Whether you're pitching to investors, winning over customers, or just trying to stand out in a noisy marketplace—the right story told the right way can change everything.
"In business, those who tell the best stories conquer their industries."
Are you a business that wants to dive deeper into the magic of storytelling? Read the full article (for free) on MarketingProfs.com: Storytelling: An Entrepreneur’s Secret Weapon.
Ready to turn your business story into an unforgettable animated video? Get in touch!
About the Authors:
Joseph Edgar is an serial entrepreneur, investor, and the founder and CEO of Loca, which helps small businesses find, manage, and reward customers.
Marc Strong is the founder and creative director of Wienot Films, an award-winning animation studio and video production company with a passion for storytelling.
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