How can your personal story help you secure funding for your Small Business as a woman or minority?

1 Why your personal story matters

Your personal story is not just a biography or a resume. It is a narrative that explains why you do what you do, how you overcame obstacles, and what you hope to achieve with your Small Business. Your personal story can help you build trust, credibility, and rapport with potential funders, who are looking for more than just numbers and facts. They want to know who you are, what drives you, and how you can make a difference.

2 How to craft your personal story

To craft a compelling personal story, you need to focus on three key elements: your why, your how, and your what. Your why is the reason behind your Small Business idea, the problem you are solving, or the opportunity you are pursuing. Your how is the process or method you use to deliver your solution, the skills or expertise you have, or the innovation or differentiation you offer. Your what is the outcome or impact you create, the value or benefit you provide, or the vision or goal you have. These three elements should form a clear and coherent story that answers the questions: Why do you care? How do you do it? What do you achieve?

3 How to share your personal story

Once you have crafted your personal story, you need to find the right ways and platforms to share it with potential funders. Depending on your target audience and your stage of fundraising, you may use different formats and channels to tell your story. For example, you may use a pitch deck, a video, a website, a blog, a podcast, or a social media post. Regardless of the format or channel, you should always tailor your story to the specific needs and interests of your funders, highlight your unique selling points, and provide evidence or testimonials to back up your claims.