ode to stories

This page shares how ode to stories was born.

The below video is the creative expression of the business story …

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Gosh! The story of ode to stories is one that was born in my mind many moons ago. I used to have a business called ‘Portal PR’, which I established when my son was just one year old. That business successfully supported me in supporting brands expand across various channels. Portal PR was going to expand too … into ‘Portal Publishing’. I changed my mind. These are various stories for another day, so let’s fast forward to 2025 …

… after I’d resigned from a big job in an established publishing house, I thought I was stepping away from the publishing industry completely. There were too many aspects that didn’t align with my purpose and values, and I knew I wasn’t the only one in the world who felt like this.

As a holistic leader of distributed and diverse creative teams, with experience in the wellness industry, I had contacts reach out asking for counselling and guidance. I was resolute on just going forward as a ‘loner’, focusing purely on my own writing projects (again stories for another space and time). I created a number of ideas, I wrote scripts and first drafts of books.

I continued to resist my future in therapy and / or in publishing … but I was experiencing immense internal conflict. Why? Well, I have always known I am meant to remind people that their dreams can come true.

As for my own dreams, they are the same as yours, including to share my stories in creative ways.

Then, it dawned on me that I could realign these aspects of the industry that didn’t resonant, and that I could still support others, whilst at the same time nurture myself—not as a hermit, but as a team member again, and an emulsifier (of sorts). It became unthinkable to resist any longer. I could start my own business again … an enterprise? No way! Instead …

… an ethical approach to publishing underpinned with empowering the creatives I contract, as well as the clients. I could also counsel people along their journey of releasing creative blocks and letting go of trauma.

ode to stories is a place that supports a collective of creatives and a community of storytellers. It is a smoosh together of two industries that I have been told ‘will not work’. Let’s explore that in brief as a reminder if nothing else, that dreams are serious!

At the time of writing this page (June 2026), ode to stories;

• had an invisible launch in July 2025
• worked with the extraordinary ‘Jack‘ on a business branding kit
• is preparing for a soft launch July 2026 (includes sharing the beginnings of this website)
• has recently received registered trademark for the main logo, (applied for in 2025)
• has worked with a number of clients on their healing journeys, (I am a registered holistic counsellor)
• appointed useful Legal123 to draw-up a contract that works for the smooshed business
• had professional break-throughs with people’s personal progress and the processing of their trauma through writing and creating
• has guided various individuals in starting out as freelance creatives
• has contracted and paid Australian creatives, ensuring named credits for their work
• has both international and Australian based clients
• has enthused me as the founder, to continue learning about both of the industries I am bringing together, including law and copyright to ensure the most appropriate and accurate support moving forward

This business has certainly resonated with me, because it is how I’ve always worked. I can be a solopreneur (soulopreneur) of a heart-led business and remove the hierarchy and support other solopreneurs in the industry to do the same. I want to continue finding solutions for creatives to enable them to shine and to be valued and empowered within the publishing industry.

All of this and more, surprisingly, is how I have always thought, even if it was a little seed in the mind of a child (me many moons ago).

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