Wefunder-storytELLEr

She Writes, She Roars
by Leisa “Elle” Grant

“Though she be but little she is fierce.”
-William Shakespeare

Chapter One:
Introduction
Chaptper Two:
The Goods
Chapter Three:
Why Me?
Chapter Four:
Why Wefunder?

One: Who am I?
Chatper ONE
Bits about me

Fairly fresh to Silicon Valley
I left all that was mostly
comfortable in Colorado
because, like many here, I
wanted to be in the thick of
the startup scene - the real
deal, the mecca for constant
creativity and innovation, a
place where the super smart
people pay and play.
Now you know my motivation
for being here, and you didn’t
even have to interview me to
find out.
I could list every cool job I
ever had, schools I attended,
certificates I earned and
awards I achieved.
But geez, what kind of story
would that be?

STARTUP FOUNDER
IN TRAINING
I’m Frank,
sidekick to Elle, squirrel
chaser and ball-loving
maniac.
Mini philanthropi$t
B i k e L i f e C o a c h
For enjoyment, not speed
Anti-conformist,
but not an unruly rebel
Amateur
InDesign
User

My path to Silicon Valley is far from linear, but
this does not make me unique. It just means I
have a story of my own. Imagine what it is like to
disappoint your family, turn down decent-paying
“secure” jobs and relocate to the most expensive
area in the country to bootstrap and bankroll
your own companies, and know not one person
upon arrival.
People tell me I am crazy, disillusioned and a
bit naive for moving to the Bay area thinking I
can alter the startup landscape. There are times
when I believe them, but fortunately more times
that I do not.

Chatper TWO
The goods

Let’s just quickly get the
boring stuff out of the way in
one plain sentence. My overall
background is photojournalism,
PR, writing and editing.
Why do I consider this boring?
At least 100 people who apply
for any given job have the same
qualifications and experience.
What they may not have
is what follows...
Wefunder needs their next
storyteller to be remarkably
independent, fiercely curious
and unmistakably genuine. This
person probably seems solid on
paper, but will prove to be even
better in the flesh - someone
who will roll up her sleeves, let
her hair down and make some
serious $#!+ happen.

Chatper THREE
Why me?

Reason No. 1
I not only listen; I observe.
The best way, honestly, to get the
story is to break formulaic
interview structures and allow the
conversation to be more of an
organic interaction between people.
Reason No. 2
I don’t set up stories; I “chase”
them. I’m one letter off from being a
storm chaser!
To speak to the hearts of founders--
as your storyteller job ad mentions
--one must go to where these hearts
are. This rarely is in an actual
office.
I will join them in their garages or
labs, run or ride across the Golden
Gate bridge with them, be their sous
chef in the kitchen... whatever it
takes.
Reason No. 3 - Turn the page.

Hey, I happen to have a PR background.
I may not become both a storyteller and
PR catalyst, or could I? Here are the
first of many branding and vision ideas.
1. Start a Wefunder cycling team, or any
sports team. It’s about being OUT there
and not always geeking out at startup
networking events.
2. Create an unconventional, but useful
and fun survival guide for startups and
small businesses.
3. Use the power of top-notch photos
and infographics to elevate the Wefunder
brand. I love words, but they
don’t always do the job.
4. Facilitate a regular Ask A Founder
feature (podcast, web, blog form).
5. Build creative partnerships with
media and other companies by being
subject matter experts with sizzle.

F
O
U
N
D
E
R
Why did you desert a comfortable career path?
Tell me about your family, friends and mentors.
Why are you nothing like everyone else?
Why are you exactly like everyone else?
What might you think of on your deathbed?
Q
U
What have been the scariest moments of your life?
E
Describe what failure is to you and how you recover?
Compare startup scenes in other parts of the world.
S
How did your upbringing affect where you are today?
T
What do you read, watch and do outside of being a founder?
I
If you could live forever, would you and why or why not?
O
N
S

Chatper THREE
Why Wefunder?

I’ll be honest - I cussed quite a bit using
InDesign to make this book because it
is not a primary skill for me. That said,
choosing easy options is what makes
life boring and stagnant.
Wefunder clearly gets this. After all, it
is part of your own story.
Your company values the overquoted
but underutilized concept of quality over
quantity. I not only want to work with
people who believe this, but I HAVE to
be in this type of environment to feel
alive. Life is much too short to simply be
a sheep. I want to give it all I’ve got and
join a jazzed up team of game changers!

Who comes here anyway?
Those making a difference,
or taking up space?
It’s not black and white -
the reasons founders show up
to startup central.
Dreams of doing good
are the fuel we all need
to not just exist.