The purpose of Materna Medical is to make pelvic health products more accessible and to demonstrate that “when we invest in women, we all win.” The art of storytelling is one of the tools that Tracy MacNeal and her team use to achieve these goals. Listen to the episode to hear why Tracy prioritizes storytelling, self-care, and community as she works towards leaving the United States medical industry better than she found it.
Tracy MacNeal is a healthcare pioneer with an engineering background and leadership expertise at successful start-ups, mid-size companies, and Fortune 100 corporations. She is currently the President and CEO of Materna Medical, whose primary goal is to bring pelvic health solutions to every woman and healthcare specialist in the United States.
Storytelling for business growth
Storytelling is a powerful tool for business growth. When done well, stories can connect with customers on an emotional level, making brands more relatable and memorable. They can also humanize businesses by sharing authentic experiences, values, and missions.
Effective storytelling can communicate a unique value proposition, differentiate a brand, and capture attention in a crowded marketplace. Stories can also inspire action, influencing consumer behavior and generating leads.
Whether through engaging content, captivating brand narratives, or customer success stories, the art of storytelling has the potential to elevate businesses, build strong relationships, and fuel their growth.
Episode highlights:
- Whatever product or service you are selling, ensure that you are telling your story in a way that is relatable to your target market. People don’t want technical details; they want to know what value you bring them. (10:22)
- As your company moves through different growth phases, your role as a leader will change. From figuring out the business plan to attracting investors to expanding your reach, always be prepared to evolve as your company does. (21:19)
- Prioritize self-care! Get enough sleep, exercise, and set aside time for yourself because if you don’t set boundaries, you won’t be able to operate at your best. The same is true of your team, so openly model self-care behaviors for them as much as possible. (23:00)
- Even if we want to believe the opposite, human beings are emotional creatures. Most of us need to feel like we are part of a meaningful story bigger than ourselves to keep us motivated and inspired. You can’t make anyone do anything for long without giving them a purpose. (32:07)
- Trying to fit in is exhausting. So, as a leader, focus on creating an environment where a diverse range of people can thrive rather than where one demographic dominates. (36:10)
- Community is a vital part of any entrepreneur’s journey. Many CEOs struggle with loneliness, but if you surround yourself with people you can learn from and bounce ideas off of, you will never be lonely! If you’re looking for a group of like-minded people to connect with, join our Deliberate Entrepreneur’s Community! (43:20)
Tracy’s best advice for entrepreneurs:
“It’s easy to fall in love with your product and think that it’s your product that matters. And it’s never your product. Your product is not the thing that people are buying. Your product is doing something for somebody that they value.” (10:22)
