Authentic Storytelling

Authentic Storytelling was founded in 2008 by Charlena Miller, a brand and marketing communications professional with a passion and commitment to support people in bringing their heart, soul and unique purpose into their work.

Why is authenticity so important?

Over time, marketing became associated with deception to the point it became a running joke. As business people and consumers, we collectively bought into the myth that if enough stuff were sold to people convinced they needed it all, this would satisfy us. If we just got what we wanted, this would lead us to the promised land of personal and corporate fulfillment.

Instead, we depleted ourselves—our resources, our potential, our businesses, our communities, our spirits. We worked more frantically to quiet the pervading

“Listen first to the voice of your own authentic story and then speak. Speak up and speak out with your life—mind, heart and soul. It is then you will begin to know how uniquely and wonderfully created you are, and you will begin to see others with new eyes.”

sense of emptiness and cope with the feeling of overwhelm, even as we sensed that there was a different way to live and work; a way in which we could do something meaningful and be in integrity with our authentic purpose and core values.

A more dangerous deception is prevalent now: that the world has gone to hell, that it’s someone else’s fault and that there is nothing we can do about it. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Each day is an opportunity to lead with courage within our everyday lives and our organizations—to choose to give more than what is expected, to be honest when no one is looking and to keep commitments that at times require sacrifice.

Courageous, authentic leaders create inspiring, authentic brands.
What type of leader will you be?

Charlena calls Portland, Oregon home and firmly believes that the lush Northwest summer days are worth the rainy winters. Her work combines brand marketing, training and communications experience in creative agencies, and on the client side in business and government, with a Master’s Degree and doctoral work in integrating one’s whole self in sustainable leadership and purposeful work.

Aligned with her core belief in each person’s unique purpose, she doesn’t attempt to do it all. Charlena works closely with clients’ own vendor partners and also brings with her a large network of gifted professionals in creative services, leadership development, sustainability, advertising, management, manufacturing and other fields to meet clients’ needs.

Charlena is a bit obsessive about helping clients hit annual goals, measure and report results and identify which things to keep doing, start doing or stop doing. An authentic brand story should drive business results, plain and simple.

Contact Authentic Storytelling to explore fresh, engaging ways to share your organization’s authentic brand story.

"Charlena is a woman of passion, tenacity, and vision - gifted not only in her occupation, but also in her soul. The rare combination of both moves her to take daring risks and cutting edge adventures - all with keen and compassionate insight. She lives a life unleashed, having overcome many adversities with great courage and faith, and invites others to live their stories boldly."

Paula Gamble,
Soul Care Artisan and Founder of reFresh
www.mysoulrefresh.com