Your company's next big break might not be a product or strategy. It could be a story waiting to be told.
In today's episode, our esteemed host, Denise Cooper, sits down with the multifaceted CEO and Founder, Dan Cooley. Dan's journey from being a young enthusiast in the world of theater to establishing himself in the competitive realm of business is nothing short of inspirational. He began his exploration of storytelling and directing at the Actors Playground School of Theatre and, over the years, transitioned into the world of marketing and business. With the inception of his boutique marketing agency, Cooley Creative Media, Dan honed the art of helping businesses narrate their unique tales.
But Dan’s story doesn't just end at business. He's a dedicated husband and father of two, and his personal experiences deeply enrich and inform his professional insights. As he discusses the nuances and challenges of modern storytelling, especially in the age of social media, listeners are bound to find resonance and valuable insights.
If you've been wanting to harness the power of storytelling in your endeavors, be it personal or professional, this episode promises a deep dive into the magic, challenges, and intricacies of narrative. Don't miss out!
THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW
- With social media becoming more filtered than ever before, how should people approach the idea of telling their story online? [12:52]
- Follower count isn't always the most important thing when it comes to building influence. Why actually matters? [18:22]
- What role does storytelling play in recruiting and retention of quality employees? [36:38]
KEEP UP WITH DAN COOLEY
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Cooley Creative Media
EPISODE RESOURCES
DAN COOLEY'S BIO
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost
I have often believed that the people who set out from high school or college knowing exactly what they wanted to do and whom they wanted to be were the lucky ones (and most likely the minority).
I knew that I loved directing and storytelling and so I sought an acting school to explore this fascination. To my great fortune, I found the Actors Playground School of Theatre. This began a 16-year journey in the art world that I would not trade for anything.
Ralph hired me as an assistant when I was 18 years old and I grew over time to become a teacher, director, and eventually a manager of the acting school. This was my first experience with running a small business and marketing as a whole. Ralph proved to be a great mentor in that regard as well and I consumed all I could on how to run and grow a business.
This focus on the storytelling aspects of marketing led me to begin freelancing as a social media manager and eventually start my own company called Cooley Creative Media. While it was initially just a name to house the freelancing I was doing, it quickly and steadily became a boutique marketing agency helping dozens of businesses tell their story.
It was during these 7+ years that I began to understand what it was to actually own a small business (the positives and negatives) instead of just managing one. We experienced many ups and downs, but in the end, built something that is still growing to this day!
In the summer of 2021, I received the opportunity to join the growing team at Princeton Mortgage as their content strategist. After meeting the leadership and getting a view of the amazing culture, I decided to step back from my company and to join a team that I knew would help me grow to the next level in my career.
