What We Do - And Why It Matters

Holly and Ann marie

At Story Imprinting, our name is rooted in what we know about human nature and the importance of storytelling. Our work is informed by neuroscience, social science and culture, and our focus is on training leaders and companies on the skills they will need in the new marketplace.

We’ve trained groups ranging in size from twenty to 2,000 to thoughtfully and authentically stitch narrative into their day-to-day business practices and interactions in a way that moves people and influences behavior, and we believe in saying the hard thing. In having the tough conversation. In training yourself and your people how to give and receive feedback. Our philosophical approach is on humanizing modern business culture to create more sustainable corporate environments. We know soft skills hit the bottom line hard, and our training content is designed to reflect the real-world demands on modern professionals.

We are a certified woman-owned business and small business enterprise and the industry leader in storytelling, creativity, and authentic communication. We are regularly the highest-rated trainers and facilitators in any group we work with, and our client roster includes Big Tech, the largest global accounting, law and professional services firms, and some of the most illustrious Fortune 100 companies.

Upcoming Events

Why Feedback Became Our Most In-Demand Topic of 2024

February 21 at 9 am PT/12 pm ET

Five years ago it seemed improbable that we’d be delivering three-hour training sessions exclusively on feedback to corporate clients. But over the course of the last year, demand for our programming focused solely on delivering, receiving, and implementing quality feedback has increased dramatically. 

Join us for a free 30-minute webinar February 21 where we’ll discuss: 

  • Why feedback became our most in-demand topic for clients of all types and sizes

  • The importance of training professionals at all levels within an organization on how to deliver and receive feedback with grace, empathy, and specificity 

  • How to make the case for this programming within your own organization

Communication & Leadership

October 12

We all deserve authentic communication — but communicating is often incredibly difficult! What’s more, failing to communicate clearly and transparently can be a block to leadership development and advancement. In this webinar, participants will learn:

  • Why authentic communication is critical to leadership and advancement
  • The importance of narrative vulnerability
  • Useful tips to improve your communication

What To Leave Behind in 2022

November 16

As we look toward the end of 2022, you’re likely taking stock of the year and assessing what you want in 2023. In this webinar we’ll discuss:

  • What to leave behind in 2022 — and how to make that happen in an actionable way
  • How to assess what you want less (and more) of in the coming year by prioritizing your values
  • How to begin to think about your legacy in a dynamic way

Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events.

We’ve developed a short, high-impact training designed to help improve the creation and delivery of your CLE presentations immediately.


This $349 training is broken into a series of 12 short, on-demand videos with strategies and tactics you can immediately apply to your speaking engagements and CLE opportunities.

We’re a full-service training and communications firm whose founders bridge the gap between storytelling and business. 

We take a practical and emotionally intelligent approach to storytelling and business that harnesses what we know about the brain and story to work with — rather than against — human nature.

The Story Imprinting curriculum touches every aspect of corporate citizenship, including:

We are inundated with data and information — and yet story remains a pillar of power and influence. And perhaps nowhere is this more relevant than in a corporate environment, where story builds trust, influence, and credibility.

When it comes to any part of your business — whether leadership, recruiting, change management, coaching, presentations, diversity and inclusion, business development, or communicating your value to customers and the world — what really matters are the stories you tell. 

Ann marie Houghtailing

Ann marie Houghtailing

Co-Founder

Ann marie Houghtailing has developed a reputation as one of the most sought-after business development and storytelling experts in the country and speaks regularly on Narrative Leadership and how to use storytelling as a tool of influence in business. She has trained thousands of people in 42 states and abroad, delivered a TEDx talk, and has worked with a California men’s state prison to bring storytelling to incarcerated men as a tool of learning, empowerment and connection to the outside. Houghtailing is currently authoring a book on creativity as a survival tool for life and business.

Holly Amaya

Co-Founder

Holly Amaya has enjoyed a multifaceted career as a journalist, attorney, and public relations maven, but she’s been telling stories professionally since she snagged her first newspaper column in the Evansville (Ind.) Courier & Press at age 11. Her C.V. includes stints at Harper’s Bazaar in New York City, The Arizona Republic in Phoenix, in the office of a U.S. senator, and as general counsel of an international retail services provider. As a PR consultant, she has managed media campaigns for some of the world’s largest companies, and is a highly sought-after crisis manager, media trainer, branding expert, and communications coach.  

Holly Amaya
Holly Amaya

Holly Amaya

Co-Founder

Holly Amaya has enjoyed a multifaceted career as a journalist, attorney, and public relations maven, but she’s been telling stories professionally since she snagged her first newspaper column in the Evansville (Ind.) Courier & Press at age 11. Her C.V. includes stints at Harper’s Bazaar in New York City, The Arizona Republic in Phoenix, in the office of a U.S. senator, and as general counsel of an international retail services provider. As a PR consultant, she has managed media campaigns for some of the world’s largest companies, and is a highly sought-after crisis manager, media trainer, branding expert, and communications coach.  

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