SHA Storytelling Consulting
While my title may be “storyteller”, I think I’m more of a “storyseeker” – trying to gently uncover the ordinary stories that make our life extraordinary.
Stories reveal what’s important to us, share our life’s lessons, protect our traditions, provide sustenance to our families, teach our history, and cradle our legacy. They are the ultimate gift—to ourselves, our families, our future. What aspect of your life story would you like to capture? Is there a life experience that you would like preserved? How would you like to be remembered? Allow me the privilege of interviewing you, helping you find your ‘voice’, and writing your story.
Sharing stories builds trust. It helps people in a business, organization, classroom, extended family get to know each other better and develop a stronger sense of familiarity and friendship. Allow me to develop a storytelling experience for your organization or workplace; or to capture and chronicle the stories of classmates, teammates, colleagues, friends, or extended family that will help nurture a greater sense of connection and community.
TELLING YOUR STORY
Are you giving a speech—a TED or a talk or a toast—and want to make it personal or emotional so you can truly connect with your audience. Allow me to make your remarks moving, engaging, and unforgettable.
Are you interested in capturing a family or workplace journal of stories around a particular theme — what are people grateful for; what wisdoms guide their lives; what is a particular life changing event; and so on. Allow me to interview people in your family or workplace, in person or over Zoom, and put together a digital or printed journal—inspired by the 30 Days project.
Do you want to capture some aspect of your, or your family’s, life story—immigrant experience, love story, special memories, family traditions and recipes, life lessons for your children, your grandparents’ wisdoms, and more. Allow me to write a chapter (or a book) of your life’s story. Or give the ultimate gift to a friend or family member (story ‘gift certificates’ available).
Allow me to conduct a storytelling workshop to talk about why our stories matter, and do a stress-free storytelling exercise that will reveal an aspect of your personal story and no doubt bring your group closer together. I’ll also provide practical ideas and useful tips on how to write your own stories. This workshop gets rave reviews, take a look at the testimonials!
Stories help us feel more emotionally connected to a person’s mission. What motivates you to do what you do, who does it benefit, and why should we care? How are you making a difference and why is your work important? What is the ‘origin story’ of your organization/brand/business? Allow me to unearth or hone your professional story and capture it in words and emotions—for your website, presentations, interviews.
Allow me to write/curate a book for your organization or business, that reveals something unique about how your work impacts and inspires. Take a look at this book I created for nonprofit Nature Sacred. In addition to having an exquisite keepsake for their 25th anniversary, the book has helped them excite donors, raise funds, get media attention, inspire team members, and create interest in their organization.
Testimonials
Having worked in media for over 20 years, I can say with complete clarity that Salma is a dream storyteller and collaborator. She brings heart, integrity, commitment, authenticity, and joy at every turn.
Anonymous journal writers became friends as Salma poured over the thousands of entries written by people from across the country from which she led the curation to ultimately create the book BenchTalk. It turned out beyond our every expectation.
I couldn’t imagine a better partner to bring this sacred work to life. Salma was thoughtful, creative, and meticulous throughout the process from concept to execution. I am deeply grateful for her soul and gift, and very much hope to work with her again and again!
— Alden E. Stoner, CEO, Nature Sacred
Salma Hasan Ali's storytelling workshop helped our team tremendously to deepen our understanding of one another in a meaningful way that everyone felt comfortable with. It was essential to help us learn from each other and build trust, especially as we began to come back to the office more frequently for the first time in three years. I strongly recommend this workshop for any executive focused on team building and elevating their organization’s work culture.
— Katherine Brown, President and CEO, Global Ties US
My company turned to Salma and her storytelling workshop to try a new type of communication exercise for our employees. When Salma arrived, her warmth put us immediately at ease and her own personal story struck a cord with everyone. She made us feel comfortable opening up and sharing with each other. As we took turns speaking in response to the prompt Salma gave us, I could feel our connections deepening. People listened intently as each of our unique and memorable stories unfolded. By the end of the hour, we felt closer to each other, having shared stories that make us human, not just employees. In turn, we boosted company morale, an unexpected result of this workshop. I wholeheartedly recommend Salma and her storytelling workshops to any business or organization looking to deepen bonds among its employees, nurture a stronger sense of community, and strengthen company culture.
— Amy Kwak, Assistant General Counsel, BECO Management
Salma Hasan Ali is truly bestowed with the gift of documenting both the personal and professional lives of people from all corners of the world. She beautifully captured my passion and inspiration for The Lockkeeper's Collection and developed a meaningful story for my cause-branded jewelry line. Salma really is quite amazing.
— Sherrie T. Beckstead, Principal, Liljenquist & Beckstead Jewelers
“Salma is a master of listening. She truly captured the essence of my personal and professional story. I felt completely safe to dream out loud and reveal the vulnerable parts of my life. She is respectful, curious, sensitive, and patient. She truly dedicated her heart and pen to ensure she captured the truth with an element of surprise in her word choice and impeccable writing. When she read me the finished product it brought tears to my eyes. She is gifted and made me feel that my life mattered. I look forward to sharing many more creative engagements with Salma. She is the best investment you can make in yourself.”
— Ami Aronson, Executive Director Bernstein Family Foundation
“Salma’s ability to connect with anyone and everyone is her strongest asset. Her warmth, humility, support, and most importantly her counsel has been invaluable to me. When I didn’t feel I had a story to tell, Salma beautifully brought to life the responsibility I have in sharing my work through my story. She was able to develop a story that made my art relevant in the current environment and part of a larger narrative. Salma reached out to audiences far and wide and engaged with people so they could look at my artwork through this new lens. From intimate home shows to national and international events, Salma introduced my story to newer audiences and articulated the important role my art plays in building bridges. I feel blessed to have Salma as my storyteller and am excited for what’s to come.”
— Aadil Abedi, Artist
“You’re not only a storyteller but an exceptionally soulful storyteller. You tell stories but also listen to the stories and hear what they have to say to you— and in turn the reader. Your professional and creative lives seem to have unfolded in much the same way: one step leading organically to the other, thanks to your open mind, eyes, and heart. I’m very impressed with your growing body of work. Good luck with your very rich calling!”