The founders of Kent-based marketing agency STORY22 have taken their expertise to conference audiences on both sides of the Atlantic, with their latest appearance at the Festival of Entrepreneurs in Birmingham.
Festival of Entrepreneurs
Sonya Whittam and Julie Firth spoke at the NEC event, held on 3rd and 4th November, delivering a session called “Give customers a reason to come back”. The session explored how businesses can recognise gaps in their customer experience, strengthen trust and give people more reasons to return and recommend them. Sonya also joined a panel on scaling customer acquisition.
London and Texas Talks
The appearance followed their session at DEMOFEST London, where they addressed an audience of presales and sales engineering professionals. Their talk, “Make Buying Easy”, examined how a clear buyer story and a more reassuring buying experience can help customers understand an offer and feel confident taking the next step.
Earlier in the year, the pair presented at GROW 2026 in Galveston, Texas. That session explored how founders can use AI to examine business decisions, question assumptions and consider risks while retaining responsibility for the final judgement.
Together, the subjects reflect the agency’s work across marketing strategy, communication and customer experience, helping businesses connect what they say with how they sell and deliver their services.
Sonya said:
"A business can be excellent at what it does and still make it difficult for customers to understand why they should choose it.
“Sometimes that needs clearer messaging. Sometimes it needs a better buying process or more thought about what happens after the sale.
"We help businesses look at how those things work together, because that is where opportunities can be missed."
Training and Partnerships
Both founders are StoryBrand Certified Guides and certified Unreasonable Hospitality coaches. Their speaking and workshop work draws on their experience of helping organisations put marketing strategy into practice.
Alongside their conference appearances, Sonya and Julie have worked with Dr J.J. Peterson on Become The Obvious Choice, including events in London and Nashville and a podcast exploring what makes businesses worth buying from, working for and recommending.
STORY22 provides messaging, websites, digital campaigns and ongoing strategic marketing support to organisations in the UK and internationally.
More information can be found on the STORY22 conference talks and workshops page.
