Craft your perfect story

Greetings, Chief Storytelling Officers.

Nobody desires a robotic figure with a flawless façade.

What we crave is authenticity, rawness, and the essence of being fully human.

As a founder or entrepreneur, if you're following this newsletter, your story should reflect who you truly are, not just the version you think people want to see—the real you.

I've witnessed this time and time again in my work with founders, CEOs, investors, and entrepreneurs. They try to smooth out the rough spots, hide their failures, and steer clear of the messy aspects of their lives.

Yet, it's precisely those imperfections that make them relatable and inspiring. By running away from them, they miss out on the opportunity to forge meaningful connections with others.

Now, I get it.

Opening up and sharing the real you, with all the good, bad, and ugly, can feel uncomfortable.

But here's the thing: that's exactly what it takes.

It's what allows you to build an authentic bond with people.

Your best founder story isn't about showcasing perfection. In fact, the perfect story is one that acknowledges imperfection. It's genuine and relatable.

Sounds crazy, right? But trust me, it's true.

So, let's dig deeper into building your founder origin story. There are three simple questions I always ask: How did you get here? What makes you special? Why do you care?

(By the way, this is the first thing I do with every founder I work with at Founder Fundraising)

The first question, "How did you get here?", is not just a string of wins. It's not a tale of everything going perfectly. No, that's a story that nobody cares about.

Triumphs only make sense to an audience when they're accompanied by struggles, obstacles, and adversity.

It’s what gives the story tension and stakes. It’s what makes people invested in your success.

So, when considering how you got here, think of it as an adventure. Where were the hardships? Where were the moments of triumph? The best stories are all about that balance.

To answer these questions, you must be willing to open up your soul.

It's about embracing authenticity and vulnerability. And that's what resonates with people—the real you.

Once you've delved into how you got here, it's time to explore what makes you special. This is your chance to lean into your strengths, unique perspectives, and skills that set you apart from others. It's not limited to your professional achievements; it can be about your passions, hobbies, or personal experiences. Maybe you're a world-class card game expert, an immigrant who overcame language barriers, or an adrenaline junkie who lives for extreme sports. These aspects of your life provide insights into who you are as a person.

Now, a few months back I had a conversation with a venture capitalist who primarily works with military veterans. They have incredible stories, yet many of them struggle to share them. Why? Because they don't want to come across as boastful.

But here's the beauty of storytelling: it allows you to share your story without bragging.

It's entertaining and takes people on a journey, rather than simply listing awards and accolades. So, don't hold back—share who you are!

Let's address the question, "Why do you care?" 

This is the essence of your burning desire—the relentless passion that propels you forward, no matter the obstacles. It's what makes people want to support and believe in you.

Think of those iconic, magnetic leaders who ignite a spark within you when you hear them speak. They exude determination and a never-give-up attitude. That's the kind of impact you want to have.

As I was watching a recent Sam Altman talk he went into this idea as one of the biggest characteristics of a successful founder. You must have that deep why that you share with investors and the world.

So, when you tell your story and answer these three questions with honesty and vulnerability, you're not showcasing perfection.

Instead, you're revealing the perfect founder

That's something entirely different from the stuffy suit-and-tie stereotype with impeccable hair and rehearsed lines. People don't want that. What they crave is the raw and real you.

Crafting the perfect Founder Origin Story is why the founders I work with raise large rounds of capital from the best investors in the world.

At the end of the day investors bet on people.

Make sure you’re the type of founder they want to bet on.

-Robbie

If you’re a founder looking for support to raise your next round of capital learn more about the ways we can help you at Founder Fundraising. 

Over the past 2 years the founders I’ve personally coached have raise $575m. I want to pass $1,000,000,000 raised because when you win, we win.