The Stories Society

The Stories Society Stories to inspire, stories to challenge, stories to communicate.

“Handle With Care” - they are not wrong.
13/04/2025

“Handle With Care” - they are not wrong.

No templates. No fluff. No rinse repeat advice.Everything we do is bespoke.We work with product-based founders who are b...
13/04/2025

No templates. No fluff. No rinse repeat advice.

Everything we do is bespoke.

We work with product-based founders who are building real brands, not chasing the latest trends.

So our strategies aren’t off-the-shelf. They’re built around you. Your voice. Your vision. Your audience. Your long-term goals. And everything in between.

Because what works for a fast-fashion brand won’t work for a considered, sustainable label.

We dive deep into your values, your ideal customer, and the kind of business you want to build. Then we help you bring it to life, clearly and confidently.

The Messy Middle.It’s the place between “I have so many ideas” and “I know exactly what I need to do.”For a lot of found...
12/04/2025

The Messy Middle.

It’s the place between “I have so many ideas” and “I know exactly what I need to do.”

For a lot of founders, this stage is the hardest.

You’ve got screenshots saved, endless lists, mental post-its everywhere… but still no clear plan.

That’s where we come in.

We take all those ideas and start to shape them into something that will work.

Because clarity doesn’t come from having *more* ideas, it comes from seeing the right ones clearly.

And putting a plan into action.

If you feel similar, start with a Strategy Session. 90 minutes to get clear, plus one month of follow-up support so you don’t lose momentum.

Everything starts with listening.Before the spreadsheets, before the marketing calendars, before the forecasting and str...
11/04/2025

Everything starts with listening.

Before the spreadsheets, before the marketing calendars, before the forecasting and strategy, we sit down and listen.

To your story. Your frustrations. Your ideas. Your vision.

Because your business isn’t just a collection of products, it’s a reflection of you.

When the story starts to blur, when things aren’t as clear as they could be, that’s when we dive in.

We help you find the authentic thread running through it all. The reason why you started in the first place. The part of your story your customers need (and want!) to hear.

Because when things make sense to you, your story starts to resonate with everyone else.

If things are feeling a little lost, harder than normal and just a bit exhausting - let’s chat and make a plan to pull you out of it.

Feeling stuck? You’re not alone.If you’re in a season where the ideas are there—but the time, headspace or structure jus...
10/04/2025

Feeling stuck? You’re not alone.

If you’re in a season where the ideas are there—but the time, headspace or structure just isn’t—this is your sign to bring in some backup.

We offer three simple ways to work together, depending on how much support you need and how ready you are to move things forward.

No overwhelm. No overthinking. Just smart, strategic action.

Drop us a message if you’re ready to reset and get things back on track.

The 3–6 Month Fix: Why Strut Doesn’t Do Long RetainersWe don’t offer never-ending retainers.We offer focused, hands-on f...
08/04/2025

The 3–6 Month Fix: Why Strut Doesn’t Do Long Retainers

We don’t offer never-ending retainers.

We offer focused, hands-on fixes.

Our 3–6 month consultancy is built for founders who are growing, shifting, or launching something new, but can’t see the wood for the trees.

We step in as part of your team to lighten the load and lead the work, because when you’re in transition, you don’t just need strategy.

You need someone to actually do the doing.

Every partnership is different. We tailor the plan to your brand and where you’re at, no plug-and-play templates, no surface-level advice.

We embed.

We execute.

We make space for momentum to build.

And once things are steady, we don’t just walk away.

Most clients stay on with us for light-touch check-ins or ongoing creative direction, just enough to keep your business focused and your brain free.

If you’re ready to move forward but need a trusted extra pair of hands to actually make it happen, this is for you.

Drop us a message to talk dates and availability.

RETAIL REAL TALK:After nearly three years of sharing retail updates, I’ve realised some weeks… the news just isn’t all t...
07/04/2025

RETAIL REAL TALK:

After nearly three years of sharing retail updates, I’ve realised some weeks… the news just isn’t all that newsworthy.

So when things feel a little sparse on the headline front, I’ll be switching gears, introducing Retail Real Talk: a space to reflect on the realities of working in retail today.

Less news drops, more honest conversations.

And this week, we’re starting with something I keep hearing again and again:

“We’re just tired.”

Retail has always been fast. But lately? It feels relentless.

We’ve gone from one crisis to the next, Brexit, COVID, inflation, the cost-of-living crisis, and all the while, the pressure to innovate, grow, and keep up has only intensified.

And yes, on the surface, the industry looks more exciting than ever. There’s always a buzzy pop-up. A “disruptive” new launch. A sustainability promise.

But what you don’t see behind those headlines is the sheer exhaustion of the teams making it happen.

So what am I hearing?

Read the full article via my Substack. (Link in bio)

We’re not here to “advise and disappear, we’re here to roll up our sleeves and help carry the weight.My 3-month consulta...
01/04/2025

We’re not here to “advise and disappear, we’re here to roll up our sleeves and help carry the weight.

My 3-month consultancy isn’t a traditional set-up. We step into your team properly, and help you get sh*t done when it all feels a bit much.

It’s strategy, yes. But it’s also momentum, clarity, and that extra bit of support when you need it most.

One week we’re rethinking product. The next, streamlining ops or refreshing the customer journey.

It flexes depending on what your business needs most.

If this sounds like something your brand could use right now, let’s have a proper chat.




60% of businesses don’t make it past five years. And if I’m honest, I’ve thought about quitting more times than I can co...
27/03/2025

60% of businesses don’t make it past five years. And if I’m honest, I’ve thought about quitting more times than I can count.

Five years ago, I decided to do something I had absolutely no idea how to do. It was the middle of lockdown, I’d just been made redundant, and I started a business.

I had a vision. A belief that things could be done differently for independent brands. That they deserved support, and the space to be better, achieve more, and build something far beyond the “shop small” narrative.

I didn’t have a blueprint or a five-year plan. Just a lot of hope and a slightly wild amount of determination.

Since then, there have been high points I’ll never forget. But what’s been more defining are the quiet moments. The late nights spent figuring things out alone, the client messages that reminded me exactly why I do this, the pivots that felt terrifying until they made sense.

It’s not all gone to plan. But I’ve learnt that progress doesn’t always look like growth, and sometimes just ‘staying’ is the bravest, most powerful thing you can do.

So today, I’m taking a moment to say thank you.

To the people who’ve supported, trusted, referred and believed.
To the friends and family who’ve listened when things felt heavy.
To the version of me who kept showing up, even when no one was watching.

And to those incredible few, who we all know I would not be here without you. It doesn’t go unnoticed, especially when I’m a f@*king pain in the arse most of the time.

Five years in, and this still feels like just the beginning.

Would I do it all again?

Honestly… yes. But I’d pour a much MUCH bigger glass of wine before I start.

Lis 😘 x

PS. Unintentionally wearing the same top in all three birthday posts. If it ain’t broke…💁🏼‍♀️

Stuck with Stock? 8 Smarter Ways to Handle Excess Inventory After Slow SalesNo retailer plans to be sitting on piles of ...
26/03/2025

Stuck with Stock? 8 Smarter Ways to Handle Excess Inventory After Slow Sales

No retailer plans to be sitting on piles of unsold stock, but in today’s unpredictable landscape, even the savviest stores can end up with more inventory than they’d like.

Whether it’s due to shifting trends, over-ordering, or a quieter sales period, having too much stock ties up cash, space, and headspace.

It’s something we’re currently working on with a number of our Strut brands, helping them take action now so they’re not only in a stronger position heading into summer but also better prepared for the all-important winter peak.

Clearing space now means cleaner stock levels, smarter buys, and sharper storytelling later in the year.

The good news?

There are plenty of strategic, creative ways to work through that excess inventory, without harming your brand or relying solely on discounts.

Head to my Substack (link in bio) to read the full article.

Stuck with Stock? 8 Smarter Ways to Handle Excess Inventory After Slow SalesNo retailer plans to be sitting on piles of ...
26/03/2025

Stuck with Stock? 8 Smarter Ways to Handle Excess Inventory After Slow Sales

No retailer plans to be sitting on piles of unsold stock, but in today’s unpredictable landscape, even the savviest stores can end up with more inventory than they’d like.

Whether it’s due to shifting trends, over-ordering, or a quieter sales period, having too much stock ties up cash, space, and headspace.

It’s something we’re currently working on with a number of our Strut brands, helping them take action now so they’re not only in a stronger position heading into summer but also better prepared for the all-important winter peak.

Clearing space now means cleaner stock levels, smarter buys, and sharper storytelling later in the year.

The good news?

There are plenty of strategic, creative ways to work through that excess inventory, without harming your brand or relying solely on discounts.

Head to my Substack (link in bio) to read the full article.

Dream Teams 🫶🏼Last week I had a wonderful brand shoot with the very lovely at the wonderful ✨Just the best day - can’t...
24/03/2025

Dream Teams 🫶🏼

Last week I had a wonderful brand shoot with the very lovely at the wonderful ✨

Just the best day - can’t wait to show you the results.

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