Your Master Gardener: Meet Rachel Zant
Cultivating stories with purpose
Welcome to my StoryGarden! I'm Rachel Zant, a storyteller and fundraising copywriter who believes that every organization has rich, fertile ground for authentic narratives waiting to be discovered and nurtured.
My journey as a StoryGardener began through my work as the founder of Pen with a Purpose, where I discovered that many mission-driven organizations were struggling with the same challenge: their most powerful stories remained buried beneath the surface, like precious seeds waiting for the right conditions to flourish.
Through years of working closely with nonprofits and purpose-driven businesses, I developed the StoryGardening methodology—a unique approach that treats storytelling as an organic, nurturing process rather than a mechanical marketing task.
My unique approach: The StoryGardening method
What makes my approach different is that I don't just help you tell better stories—I help you build a sustainable StoryGarden that continues to produce authentic narratives long after our work together ends.
My clients often tell me that my greatest strength is my ability to create safe spaces where vulnerability feels natural.
Like a skilled gardener who knows exactly when to water, when to prune, and when to simply observe, I bring exceptional empathy and genuine curiosity to every conversation.
Unlike traditional consultants who might provide a temporary solution, I work alongside you to:
Assess your story soil: Understanding the current state of your organization's storytelling environment
Identify and sow story seeds: Discovering the compelling narratives already present in your organization
Harvest your stories: Transforming raw narratives into compelling communications
Maintain your StoryGarden: Creating systems to ensure your storytelling remains vibrant and sustainable
Nurture emerging stories: Conducting empathetic interviews that draw out rich, emotional content
Whether you need a simple "Spruce Up" of your existing storytelling efforts, assistance "Planting" new narrative seeds, or a complete "Overhaul" of your StoryGarden, I offer customized packages to meet you where you are.
Your organization already contains the seeds of powerful stories waiting to be discovered. I’d love to help you begin the rewarding process of cultivating these narratives into communications that truly resonate with your audience.
Let’s start with a conversation about your current storytelling challenges and aspirations. Together, we’ll explore how the StoryGardening approach can help your organization’s authentic voice flourish.