EP 203 Crafting Stories That Sell: A Deep Dive with Mellissa Tong
Release Date: 01/02/2025
EP 214 Harnessing the Power of Storytelling in Retreat Leadership with Aleya Harris
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this enriching episode of the Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon is joined by Aleya Harris, a strategic storytelling consultant renowned for helping leaders, sellers, and speakers harness the power of stories to connect deeply, find fulfillment, and enhance profitability. Shannon and Aleya dive into the transformative role of storytelling within retreat leadership, highlighting how many leaders struggle to communicate their offerings effectively, often resorting to mere lists of features rather than engaging narratives. Real-Life Success with Strategic Storytelling Aleya shares a compelling...
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EP 213 Exploring Mother-Daughter Bonds and Equine Yoga with Casie Hall
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Join us in this insightful episode as Shannon Jamail talks with Casie, a renowned yoga studio owner and retreat leader, who shares her unique journey through the realms of yoga and entrepreneurship. Together, they delve into the intricacies of hosting mother-daughter yoga retreats and the profound impact these experiences have on participants. Casie's Yoga Retreat Experiences: Casie discusses the evolution of her career from opening a yoga studio to leading specialized retreats. She opens up about the challenges and triumphs she has encountered, particularly in hosting retreats designed for...
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EP 212 The Art of Attraction and Repulsion: Crafting Your Retreat Website
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Welcome to today's episode where we explore the pivotal role your retreat website plays in attracting the right guests and repelling those who aren't a fit. It's about more than just filling spaces—it's about creating an environment where every participant is precisely where they need to be. Why Repulsion Is as Important as Attraction In the retreat business, it's crucial to understand that not every interested person should become a guest. Tailoring your website’s message helps ensure that only those aligned with the retreat's goals feel compelled to attend, while those looking for...
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EP 211 From Scarcity to Abundance with Dr. Nona Djavid
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In today's episode, we dive into the compelling journey of Dr. Nona Djavid, who moved to the US at 16 and transformed her early struggles into a flourishing career by embracing entrepreneurship from a place of abundance rather than scarcity. Journey from Scarcity to Abundance: Nona shares her initial steps into entrepreneurship, which were motivated by necessity and scarcity. She recounts her experience of starting her first business as a tutor and how it led her to open a successful chiropractic practice. However, despite its success, Nona faced burnout fueled by a fear-based mindset. This...
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EP 210 Retreats with a Purpose: How to Make a Difference While Making a Profit
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Welcome to "Retreats with a Purpose: How to Make a Difference While Making a Profit," where we delve into the compelling ways retreat leaders can weave social responsibility into their business models. This episode is dedicated to those who see the potential for retreats to serve not just as gateways to personal growth but as platforms for meaningful societal contributions. Partnering with Non-Profits First up, we explore the strategic partnerships between retreats and non-profits. Learn how aligning with a cause that resonates with your retreat's theme can amplify the impact on both your...
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EP. 209 Opening a retreat venue in Tuscany with Franziska
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Join us as we explore the enchanting world of Borgo Belsedere, a 1000-year-old medieval villa in Tuscany, Italy, transformed into a modern retreat venue by Franziska Leissner and her team. Discover how they've melded sustainability with historical charm to create a unique retreat experience. Venue Introduction: Franziska Leissner, a partner at Borgo Belsedere, delves into the history and transformation of the villa. Originally a medieval structure, the villa has been lovingly renovated to serve as a serene retreat location while retaining its Tuscan authenticity. Development Journey: The...
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EP.208 Understanding Retreat Pricing with Erin Haag
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Join host Shannon Jamail as she delves into the nuanced world of retreat pricing with expert Erin Haag. They explore the dynamic between price-conscious and value-driven buyers, and the strategies for setting retreat prices that reflect the true value of the experience. Retreat Pricing Insights: Price vs. Value Shoppers: Erin outlines that retreats priced under $5,000 tend to attract price shoppers focused on budget, whereas retreats with a higher price tag draw in those who value the experience over cost. Shannon reflects on her own pricing strategies that range from $3,000 to $7,000,...
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EP. 207 Sales Mastery for Retreat Leaders with Nikki Rausch
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Join us in this enlightening episode where Nikki Rausch, a veteran sales professional, unravels the intrinsic link between sales and retreat leadership. Nikki delves into the art of selling as a crucial skill for retreat leaders, breaking down common sales pitfalls and emphasizing the strategic engagement of potential buyers. Embracing the Sales Role Nikki points out that many retreat leaders may not recognize themselves as salespeople, yet mastering sales techniques is essential for the success of their events. She stresses the importance of seeing every retreat leader as inherently involved...
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EP. 206 Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Retreats with Chelle Swierz from Topia Retreat Center
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this enlightening episode, Shannon Jamail sits down with Shelly Swierz, a seasoned yoga instructor and the visionary behind Topia Boutique Retreat Center in Baja California Sur, Mexico. Shelly brings over 15 years of yoga teaching experience and shares invaluable insights into the world of retreat hosting. Topia's Mission and Setting Topia Boutique Retreat Center is dedicated to facilitating profound community connections for leaders. Nestled near the Pacific Ocean and conveniently close to Cabo San Lucas airport, the center is designed to support retreat leaders fully, from planning stages...
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EP 205 A Masterclass on Retreat Strategies with Kyera Kacey
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this enlightening episode, host Shannon Jamail sits down with Kyera Kacey, a trailblazer in the personal development industry since the age of 17. Kyera, who opened her first office at 24 and launched her retreat business in 2022, dives into the details of her unique approach to retreat planning. The discussion kicks off with her debut retreat in Ireland, which she daringly announced with minimal prior planning and impressively sold out very quickly. Kyera discusses her pricing strategies, which began at $17,000 for her initial retreat, scaling up to $55,000 for subsequent luxury...
info_outlineOverview: In a captivating session of the Retreat Leaders podcast, host Shannon Jamail engages with Mellissa Tong, the storytelling maestro and visionary behind Duck Punk Productions. Mellissa shares her expert insights on the transformative power of storytelling in business and its critical role in connecting with audiences to drive sales.
Mellissa's Journey and Duck Punk Productions: Mellissa Tong, renowned for her storytelling prowess, introduces listeners to Duck Punk Productions, a company that tailors its services to a diverse client base including big corporations, mid-sized companies, and entrepreneurs. The company's offerings span from creating impactful TV commercials and branded content to providing fractional CMO services and storytelling training.
The Art of Storytelling in Business: Mellissa discusses the essential nature of storytelling in today’s business landscape, especially for retreat leaders. She breaks down the four crucial stages of the sales cycle—connection, reaction, transformation, and action—and explains how compelling storytelling navigates these phases to captivate and convert audiences.
Deepening Audience Engagement Through Stories: With her background in TV news as a foundation, Mellissa emphasizes the importance of crafting stories that are not only engaging but also perfectly aligned with the target audience. She highlights how data-driven companies can leverage storytelling to render complex information more relatable and digestible.
Empowering Through Education: Looking ahead, Mellissa is excited about the launch of her Story Selling course next month. This course promises to equip individuals with the skills to craft and narrate personal stories across various formats, enhancing their effectiveness in both personal and professional interactions. She supports this educational journey with a dedicated Facebook group, fostering a community of continuous learning and support.
Actionable Takeaways:
- Shannon commits to enriching the podcast show notes with additional resources including a link to Mellissa's LinkedIn article and the upcoming Story Selling course.
- Mellissa plans to extend a special discount code for the course exclusively for podcast listeners, ensuring that the audience can immediately benefit from her vast expertise.
Conclusion: The episode wraps up with Mellissa reinforcing the value of storytelling in building deep, meaningful connections with audiences, a skill indispensable for anyone in the business of influence, especially retreat leaders looking to attract and engage their ideal guests.
About Mellissa:
Mellissa Tong's journey is a testament to life’s unpredictable paths. Beginning her career in music, she mastered the piano and conducted children's choirs, believing music was her destined path. With a passion for English Literature as well, Mellissa balanced her artistic pursuits with academic rigor, exploring comparative literature alongside her musical endeavors.
Despite a seemingly fulfilled life, Mellissa felt a disconnect, stemming from her upbringing in Hong Kong where emotional expression was stifled. This feeling of isolation fueled her lifelong dream to study abroad, leading her to the United States in 1991. It was here that Mellissa's career took a pivotal turn. Initially feeling out of place, her breakthrough came when she joined a satellite TV station as a newscaster. Tasked with crafting human interest stories, Mellissa honed her skills in interviewing and storytelling, discovering the profound power of connection through narrative.
This experience was transformative, guiding her to found DuckPunk, initially aimed at film and documentary storytelling. Over time, DuckPunk evolved into creating compelling TV commercials and branded content for major brands like Nissan, Verizon, and McDonald’s. Recognizing the shifting landscape during the pandemic, Mellissa pivoted DuckPunk into a StorySelling agency, emphasizing the necessity for deeper connection and authentic storytelling in commerce.
Today, Mellissa uses her unique journey and storytelling prowess to help businesses stand out, connect deeply with their audiences, and drive meaningful engagement. Her story—from a young musician to a leading voice in commercial storytelling—illustrates how our greatest challenges can lead to our most significant achievements.
Connect with Mellissa
LinkedIn Article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/4-stages-sales-cycle-mellissa-tong
Instagram: @duckpunkproductions
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