The Stories to Sales® Podcast

Dhara Singh

They didn't have a perfect story, but they built successful 6-, 7-, 8-figure+ businesses and careers. Hosted by journalist and founder of Stories to Sales® LLC Consulting, Dhara Singh, you'll hear some speakers, some founders, and some brilliant professionals. Get inspired by learning about the untold stories of today's successful leaders and their advice for achieving success. For all collaborations: info@storybydhara.com To learn about the mission of Stories to Sales, visit: https://www.storybydhara.com/workwithme We help founders and aspiring creatives like you take the power of your life story and turn prospects into customers by connecting better. We're not marketers. We're journalists and certified coaches who ask the right questions through an investigative lens to uncover your unique brand story and help you effectively share it. We also offer brand coaching, consulting and done for you agency services such as copywriting and creating enterprise brand narratives. We coach you how to share your story across socials, email, podcasts, stages and PR but also can also offer ready-to-go deliverables. Served more than 300 clients since 2019. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsdharasingh LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dharasingh/ For inquiries on how to work together: https://calendly.com/storiestosales/consulting Join our free email community: The Stories to Sales® newsletter for first dibs into episodes, storytelling tips and visibility opportunities sent to your inbox: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63bb296737a7fb86b1f99024

  1. Aug 27

    Episode 12: Born with 3 Fingers, How Jason A Jones. Wrote a Bestselling Book in His 40s

    Some people turn setbacks into excuses. Jason A. Jones turns them into a blueprint. Born with three fingers on one hand, rebuilt his life after a devastating car accident just before Thanksgiving, and still found a way to keep moving, keep learning, and keep making it happen.If you need a reminder that resilience is not a personality trait but a practice, this conversation delivers it. Dhara sits down with Jason, founder of Positive Pieces LLC and author of Three the Hard Way, to unpack the mindset that carried him from childhood teasing and injury recovery to a career in entertainment, legal certification, and now a mission to inspire others through speaking, writing, and community building.You'll discover: How Jason's parents taught him to reject excuses and do things "with the other hand" when one path was blockedWhat it really takes to rebuild after a traumatic accident, including cognitive recovery, lost opportunities, and starting over from part-time workWhy he believes your network is your net worth, and how the right connections helped him get back into the entertainment industryThe powerful lesson behind his book: when something drains your energy, it's time to subtract it and protect your purposeHow he's using his story to motivate students, entrepreneurs, and anyone ready to write, speak, or start againDhara also shares why Jason's story hits so hard for anyone navigating grief, career shifts, identity changes, or the pressure to appear "fine" on the outside. This is an episode about perseverance, adaptability, and the kind of positivity that is tested in real life, not just posted online.Jason is not just talking about motivation, he's living it. From his book and newsletter to his work in licensing, image and footage clearances, and public speaking, he is building a path for people who need proof that one hard chapter does not define the whole story.Essential listening if you need a reset, a push, or a reminder that you can still build something meaningful from what you've survived. Learn about Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jjones4thewin/ Learn about Dhara: https://www.instagram.com/itsdharasingh/ Learn about Stories to Sales: https://www.storybydhara.com/workwithme

  2. Aug 27

    Episode 11: Building the First-Ever Successful South Asian Diaspora Podcast Annika Sharma

    South Asian creatives are taught to pick one path, play it safe, and never let rejection shake them. Anika Sharma did the opposite - and built a career as a fiction author, former podcast founder, nonprofit communications director, and storyteller who keeps turning setbacks into momentum. Dhara sits down with Anika to trace the nonlinear path that took her from healthcare and early childhood education to publishing, podcasting, and community building. What starts as a conversation about books quickly becomes a blueprint for creative courage: how to handle rejection, why “let them say no” is powerful advice, and what it really takes to keep going when the odds feel absurdly small.You'll discover: Why Anika chose literary representation over self-publishing and what that decision changedHow she navigated 13 agent rejections before landing a yesThe mindset she uses to turn feedback into forward motionHow grief, motherhood, and South Asian family dynamics shaped her children’s and middle-grade storytellingWhy her podcast That Desi Spark became such an important space for South Asian voicesAnika also breaks down her philosophy on community versus audience, why inclusive rooms take constant effort to maintain, and why founders need to know when to step back from something they built. It is a candid, thoughtful conversation about ambition, identity, and the courage to create before everything feels perfect.If you are a writer, founder, podcaster, or creative who has been waiting for the “right” moment, this episode will make you want to move now. Perfect for anyone who needs the reminder that one no is not the end of the story - and that your next yes might be closer than you think. Learn about Annika: https://www.instagram.com/annikasharma/ Learn about Dhara: https://www.instagram.com/itsdharasingh/ Learn about Stories to Sales: https://www.storybydhara.com/workwithme

  3. Aug 27

    Episode 10: From Burnout to Global Joy: Kara’s Journey and the Playful Warrior Movement

    The advice to "just push harder" is exactly what keeps so many high-achievers exhausted, anxious, and creatively stuck. Kara, founder and chief fun officer of The Playful Warrior, shares the counterintuitive path back to energy, confidence, and even success through play.If you’ve been feeling burned out, overly serious, or disconnected from the version of yourself that used to create for pure joy, this conversation will hit hard. Dhara and Kara unpack how a life built on perfectionism, corporate pressure, and emotional heaviness can be transformed by something far simpler than most people expect - learning how to play again. Kara opens up about her own turning point: therapy, inner child work, a brutal season of burnout, and a corporate exit that looked like failure from the outside but felt like relief. From there, she rebuilt her life around one question most adults never ask - how do you actually play now? That question led to The Playful Warrior, her play-based brand, coaching practice, and eventually a business model that reached far beyond what she first imagined.You’ll discover why play can drive creativity, why messy action matters, and how storytelling and adaptability can reshape both identity and business. Learn more about Kara and the Playful Warrior: https://www.instagram.com/theplayfulwarrior/ Learn more about Dhara and Stories to Sales: https://www.instagram.com/itsdharasingh/following/

  4. Aug 27

    Episode 8: From Finding Hidden Design Gems to Being Fully Booked as a Designer Meet Kristina B.

    Your brand might be hiding its best qualities in plain sight. Christina Bleiler, owner of Gem Creative Co., shares how she helps businesses uncover the "hidden gems" that make them memorable, recognizable, and impossible to ignore.If you have ever felt like your brand is too ordinary, too unclear, or too similar to everyone else in your space, this conversation will change how you see your story. Christina breaks down how she turned personal self-discovery, design intuition, and a growing online audience into a creative business built around helping people stop blending in and start standing out.You’ll discover: How Christina turned a difficult personal season into the Gem Creative Co. brandWhy a design business summit and first mentors changed everything for herThe exact discovery process she uses to uncover brand personality and strengthsHow client and community feedback can reveal ideas you would never see on your ownWhy quirks, nostalgia, and even “weird” traits can become brand assetsHow fictional brand projects like her Hocus Pocus concept showcase her creative processWhy she believes creativity needs space, not rigid pressure or rushed timelinesChristina also opens up about the realities behind the polished online presence - from moving mayhem and creative chaos to the truth that she is more introverted, more anxious, and less “always on” than social media suggests. That honesty makes her perspective on entrepreneurship even more valuable for anyone trying to build a business without burning out.She also shares why networking matters from day one, what perfectionism costs early-stage founders, and how to know whether a business idea is really worth pursuing. Follow Kristina: https://www.instagram.com/gemcreativeco/ Follow Dhara: https://www.instagram.com/itsdharasingh/ Learn more about the mission of Stories to Sales: https://www.storybydhara.com/workwithme

  5. Jul 15

    Episode 7: Leaving Law to Bring Photography Dreams to Life: Rashmi Gill Talks IVF, Life at Almost 50

    Most women—especially brown women—face countless societal expectations about marriage, children, and success, often feeling they’re running against a ticking clock. Rashmi Gill, a gifted visual storyteller and entrepreneur, reveals how she defied the odds to craft a life filled with purpose, authenticity, and resilience—long after societal pressures sought to dictate her path.From her early days in London, dreaming of becoming a lawyer, to her journey into photography, Rashmi shares raw, honest insights into overcoming self-doubt, valuing her craft, and building a thriving business in New York City. You’ll discover how she navigated the challenges of feeling unseen as a creative, the importance of valuing oneself, and the pivotal mentor moments that shifted her mindset from hobby to professional success.In this episode, we break down: The transformative power of self-worth and how to price your skills confidentlyWhy societal expectations around marriage and motherhood can create internal conflict, and how Rashmi processed her own journeyPractical advice for entrepreneurs: ask for help, delegate, and prioritize authenticity over perfection paralysisBuilding a community and ‘village’ in a new city when family isn’t nearbyHow storytelling through photography can help you craft a compelling personal brand that’s uniquely yoursYou’ll also hear about Rashmi’s powerful stories of grief, motherhood, and finding her voice after years of societal pressure. Her wisdom offers hope and permission: it’s never too late to redefine success, to honor your truth, and to embrace your own timing in life.Whether you’re an aspiring creative, a busy entrepreneur, or someone questioning societal expectations, this episode equips you to live life on your terms—boldly, authentically, unapologetically. Rashmi’s journey shows that the most remarkable stories are ones you write yourself—and they start with believing in your own worth.Perfect for anyone feeling the weight of external pressures or seeking inspiration to trust their own clock, this conversation is your reminder: your best chapter is still ahead. Hit play and get inspired to own your story. Follow Rashmi Here: https://www.instagram.com/rashmigillphotography/ Follow Dhara Here: https://www.instagram.com/itsdharasingh/

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

They didn't have a perfect story, but they built successful 6-, 7-, 8-figure+ businesses and careers. Hosted by journalist and founder of Stories to Sales® LLC Consulting, Dhara Singh, you'll hear some speakers, some founders, and some brilliant professionals. Get inspired by learning about the untold stories of today's successful leaders and their advice for achieving success. For all collaborations: info@storybydhara.com To learn about the mission of Stories to Sales, visit: https://www.storybydhara.com/workwithme We help founders and aspiring creatives like you take the power of your life story and turn prospects into customers by connecting better. We're not marketers. We're journalists and certified coaches who ask the right questions through an investigative lens to uncover your unique brand story and help you effectively share it. We also offer brand coaching, consulting and done for you agency services such as copywriting and creating enterprise brand narratives. We coach you how to share your story across socials, email, podcasts, stages and PR but also can also offer ready-to-go deliverables. Served more than 300 clients since 2019. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsdharasingh LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dharasingh/ For inquiries on how to work together: https://calendly.com/storiestosales/consulting Join our free email community: The Stories to Sales® newsletter for first dibs into episodes, storytelling tips and visibility opportunities sent to your inbox: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63bb296737a7fb86b1f99024