Episode 9

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Published on:

7th Aug 2024

An Inside Look at Strategic Communications with Linda Wesley

An Inside Look at Strategic Communications with Linda Wesley

In this episode, I'm joined by Linda Wesley, the owner of Story Path Communications, who discusses her journey into strategic communications and the unique needs of small businesses and nonprofits. She shares insights into her approach to understanding client goals, crafting compelling stories, and the challenges and lessons she's learned as a business owner. Linda further discusses her journey of starting her own business, Story Path Communications, after moving back to Oklahoma City from St. Louis. She shares her initial hesitation, the valuable advice she received from other women business owners, and the moment she knew her business would succeed. Linda also provides tips on managing travel and work-related stress and her must-have technology for running her business.

Timestamps:

[00:44] Linda's focus on strategic communications for small businesses and nonprofits

[03:32] How Linda develops a customized communications strategy

[07:00] Benefits of emotional storytelling for nonprofits and small businesses

[14:01] Linda's insights on work-life balance and foundational systems

[19:36] The value of finding the right tools and platforms to streamline operations

[24:00] How Linda started her business in Oklahoma

[25:12] Linda's decision to resign from her state agency job and start her own business

[27:35] The most valuable advice ever received from other women business owners

[28:25] Overcoming self-doubt and finding reassurance from supportive individuals

[39:12] Linda's strategies for managing stress and unwinding as a business owner

Quotes:

● Different people perceive different things about those different words. Um, but I chose communications because it really is about every aspect of communications. And so it's the words you put on paper that come out of your mouth. It's the image you put forward for your company. And I feel like communications really encompasses all of those pieces.

● The reason I started my business and the reason I focus on small businesses and small nonprofits was that I knew that in this market, there really wasn't a lot of strategic support for those organizations at a price point they could afford.

● Communications plan and the full implementation, always start with who's your audience? What are your goals? What are we trying to do? And how can I help?

● I knew going into owning my own business, okay, there's a lot of work ahead of me. Yeah. There are many lean months when you start 'cause you must build a clientele, get your name out there, and make those connections.

● There's always that voice in the back of your head that questions, what if it doesn't work?

● Stubbornness is a helpful trait for a small business owner sometimes.

● I try to manage my stress on the front end so it doesn't build as much. That's not always possible. Um, but I try to get to the gym and swim, go for some walks with my husband and then, um, try to work in the garden a little bit and just get out in nature.

● I'd be lost, I'd be lost without my project management system. I would not be able to keep track of every client project in my head and where it is.

Resources:

Story Path Communications

Website: https://www.storypathcommunications.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StoryPathCommunications

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/storypath-communications

Let's connect with Linda Wesley on:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindawesley

Click up project management tool: https://clickup.com/

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About the Podcast

The Oklahoma Business Show
Conversations with business owners and leaders about their wins, struggles, and lessons learned along the way.
If you're anything like me, hearing other business owners and leaders talk about their experiences at a conference, a lunch, or just over a cup of coffee is always an encouraging and exciting conversation, and that's the simple goal of The Oklahoma Business Show. Listen to successful business owners as we discuss topics ranging from how and why they started their business, challenges they had to overcome that made them stronger, victories that made them hold their head a little higher, and lessons they've learned along the way.

About your host

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Chris Moroz

Who is Chris Moroz? 🧐

I started my career in IT long before launching my own business. Finding joy in learning about computers throughout my early teens and young adult years eventually led me to pursue work at Fortune 500 companies such as AOL and Dell, where I was awarded Top 5 sales awards at both companies.

Shortly after leaving Dell, I started Golden Years Computer Services, which served residential clients in their Oklahoma City homes. Within 6 months, as word began to spread of the high level of service being provided, we added small business support to our growing list of services.

Since the start of these companies in 2009, I'm flattered that I've received several nominations for OKC Biz Magazine’s Best of Business awards (and most recently nominated as best Cyber Security provider in OKC). As part of my belief that we can all improve other's lives, we've partnered with Feed The Children, and were recently able to donate a dozen computers to Bethany Public Schools to assist student transition to remote learning during the pandemic.

When I'm not busy saving the day for a small business owner, you can find me unplugging from all things tech: hiking and camping in Oklahoma’s breathtaking scenic parks, discovering new foods in locally-owned restaurants with his friends, and investing quality time with my wife, Kari, and two daughters, Gracie and Trinity.