From Founder Story to Media Pitch: How to Shape Your Brand Narrative

Written By Daniel Cueva

Your story is powerful—but is it ready for the spotlight?

You’ve worked hard to build something meaningful. But when someone asks, “So, what’s your story?”… do you stumble or shine?

For many founders and small business owners, knowing they have a story isn’t the issue—it’s figuring out how to tell it in a way that resonates with media, customers, and partners. Let's change that.

Your founder story isn’t just personal—it’s strategic

Think of your brand story like the trailer to a movie. It’s not a full documentary on your business. It’s a compelling highlight reel that hooks attention, builds emotion, and gives people a reason to want more.

And just like great trailers, great founder stories are shaped with intention. They spotlight challenges, turning points, and values. They make you memorable—not just as a business, but as a person behind the business.

When you shape your narrative well, you create a clear through-line that connects your mission, your media pitches, and your marketing content.

Why your brand narrative matters (a lot)

Increased visibility. Media outlets, podcast hosts, and customers are always looking for stories with depth. A well-crafted narrative gives them a reason to feature you.

Trust and credibility. People don’t buy from logos—they buy from humans. Sharing your journey authentically builds connection and positions you as a trustworthy expert.

More conversions. Whether it’s email signups, product sales, or speaking gigs, your story helps move people from curiosity to action.

Now let’s get into how you shape a story that sticks—and spreads.

1. Find your founder arc

Think of your story in three parts:

  • The spark: What inspired you to start? Was there a moment, frustration, or aha that kicked it all off?

  • The struggle: What challenges did you face along the way? Be honest—this is where your humanity shines.

  • The solution: What did you build or create as a result? What’s different now because you took the leap?

Use this arc to frame your “About” page, pitches, and social content.

2. Connect your story to your audience’s needs

Your story isn’t just about you—it’s about why it matters to others. Ask yourself:

  • What pain point does your journey solve for your customers?

  • How can your experience inspire or empower your audience?

This is especially important when you're pitching media. Journalists want to know: Why should my audience care?

3. Translate your story into media-ready angles

A media pitch isn’t just “here’s my story.” It’s “here’s how my story ties into something relevant, timely, or useful.”

Try shaping your narrative into angles like:

  • “How I turned burnout into a thriving wellness brand”

  • “The side hustle I built during maternity leave that now supports my family”

  • “Lessons from a bootstrapped founder who grew during a recession”

OlaPR’s Ripple+ service is perfect here—it helps you shape your narrative into editorial-style features in high-value outlets, so you’re not just pitching, you’re publishing.

4. Create a media kit that tells your story fast

Before you start reaching out to podcasts or press, put together a simple media kit:

  • A one-paragraph bio (what you do and why it matters)

  • Your founder story highlights (your arc!)

  • Professional photo

  • Links to your website and socials

If you’re aiming for podcasts, PodWaves can help you book and prep for shows that align with your story and audience.

5. Keep your story alive across channels

Your founder narrative shouldn’t live only on your website. Use it to inspire:

  • Instagram posts (behind-the-scenes, origin moments)

  • LinkedIn articles (lessons learned, pivots)

  • Pitch emails to journalists and podcasters

  • Press releases for new launches (OlaPR’s Wave360 helps get these in front of 300+ media outlets)

One great story can ripple across many channels—especially when you repurpose it strategically.

Your story deserves a stage

You don’t need to be a perfect writer or polished speaker to have a powerful story. You just need to start telling it—clearly, consistently, and with heart.

And if you’d like help shaping your story into something pitch-ready and press-worthy, that’s exactly what we do at OlaPR.

Ready to turn your founder story into visibility, trust, and momentum?

Explore OlaPR’s services or contact our team to find your perfect media fit. Let’s get your story seen, heard, and remembered.

Daniel Cueva
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From Story to Strategy: Crafting PR Plans That Actually Move the Needle