Are you ready to uncover and deliver your most powerful story yet, one that turns your vision into something people can believe in, buy into and champion?
In a world of clickbait and content overload, we as humans are hungrier than ever for authentic Living Brand stories that inspire, engage, and unite. The best business leaders don’t just have a business idea. They give people a story to believe in and a culture they want to be part of. A powerful story cuts through the noise, travels through an organisation creating greater clarity from the top, gives meaning to what you do, and turns a business strategy into something people can understand, believe in, and champion.
It creates a shared buy-in to the business culture for team members and stakeholders, and it helps customers see the human value behind your brand. When
your story is lived by experience, authentic, consistently told, and reflected in the way you do business, it builds trust, pride, and a sense of belonging. That is the real power of storytelling.
If you are a business leader, company director, CEO, or member of a management team, it’s time to change your way of thinking. You need more than a plan. You need people to believe in where you’re going, understand what you stand for, and feel part of the culture you are building.
Sean O’Leary is a strategic storyteller, award winning designer and coach who has transformed lives and empowered business leaders and teams.
Are you ready to stand behind your story?
Understanding the power of storytelling is one thing; being ready to tell your own story and stand behind it is another. That story needs to come from you and the values that have shaped your business. But that doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. The right support can help you uncover your true story and find the most powerful way to bring it to life, so people can believe in your vision, your culture, and your values.
We integrate your existing resources and bring in any missing skills needed to bring your vision to life. We bring together the expertise needed across the entire storytelling cycle, as shown in the five building blocks below, to turn your vision into a powerful Living Brand Story. We work alongside your team and resources. You decide which additional skills you need support with.
1: Leadership Power Up. Clarify your mission, purpose, and values. Raise self-awareness and personal power. Upskill in visionary leadership and mindset. Clarify the best holistic business model. Uncover your authentic voice and achieve peak performance flow.
2: Culture Foundation. Identify your natural leaders and your Innovation Task Force. Create a culture of unity and adaptability. Build reward systems for going above and beyond. Recognise a self-motivated culture and celebrate sustainability gains.
3: Engaging your People. Identify ambassadors who personify and reaffirm your mission and vision. Show these individuals they are valued by listening to their input. Champion a culture of genuine gratitude and recognise everyone’s contribution to the overall business goal.
4: Story Publishing. People love to engage with inspiring stories of triumph against the odds that nourish curiosity about human potential. We craft compelling human stories that bring your vision to life and communicate a clear engagement roadmap.
5: Choose Media Channel. Strategic story and report publishing, documentary video, AI video simulation, branding, podcasts and public speaking, website magazines, PR, marketing, advertising, social media, and mobile app wireframes.
Introducing the 7-day 'Storytelling Sprint'
Have you ever been frustrated by some great ideas falling flat because of difficulty in getting them speedily communicated and tested?
Too many promising business ideas become trapped in lengthy cycles of discussion, evaluation, and indecision. Momentum disappears, teams lose focus, and opportunities move on. The Storytelling Sprint replaces procrastination, uncertainty, and confusion with clarity, alignment, and buy-in. Once we understand what you are really trying to achieve, why it matters, and who needs to believe in it, we move quickly to transform that vision into a compelling Living Brand Story and bring it to life across various communication formats and channels.
It is really necessary for a client to invest their focus with us for this Sprint period and we are completely and exclusively dedicated to our client for the Sprint 7-day block. We like to know about a clients business in advance and ask to work closely with someone within your organisation who is familiar with it’s history, culture, markets and operation to help us connect with contributors, stakeholders and access any background information that we may need.
The ‘Storytelling Sprint’ structure
Day 1. Meeting your team. Appoint liaison person. Discuss ideas, expectations, benchmarks, delivery
Day 2. Clarify customer, culture, competition and market. Identify stakeholders and contributors. Innovate.
Day 3. Prepare structural prototype outline framework. Discuss with management group.
Day 4. Interview stakeholders. Photography. Information and archive photo sourcing.
Day 5. Naming, logo and branding. Presentation design. Engage with focus group. Feedback.
Day 6. Presentation design. Engage with focus group. Feedback. Fact checking and proof reading.
Day 7. Presentation to management and stakeholders.
About Sean O'Leary
As a child growing up on a farm in West Cork, Sean imagined himself as an inventor, fascinated by ideas and the thought of creating something that could make a real difference in the world. He went on to spend many years working as a consultant supporting clients in exploring new market opportunities, these often involving emerging cutting-edge technologies.
Many years ago Sean asked a wise mentor, ‘will I invent something of real value’ to which the reply came, ‘yes you will, but it has already been invented”. Over time he began to see that the greatest inventions of all are those that lie dormant within peoples minds – the very ideas that could potentially transform their lives, their local community and perhaps even make the world a better place. Sean began to apply his uniquely broad skillset to become a strategic storyteller and vision architect, creating pathways to help bring peoples ideas to life.
With extensive experience in business strategy, innovation and communication, Sean offers a unique storytelling strength. As a coach, he has guided managers and teams to realise their potential – mentally, physically, and socially – helping them execute their own innate stories with conviction. He has been that quiet, often invisible force behind CEOs, business leaders, and sportspeople, helping them find clarity, unlock their potential, and bring the very best of themselves to the story they are leading.
Qualifications and Skills
– BSc in Industrial Design Engineering – University of Limerick
– Diploma / MSc in Strategy and Innovation – Irish Management Institute / UCC
– Three Diplomas in Holistic Health and Nutrition – Irish Health Culture Association
– National Awards in self-taught competencies: film production, magazine publishing and design
– Shortlisted for the Irish Web Design Awards
– 10 Years as owner/manager of a Design, Marketing and Advertising business
– 10 Years as owner/manager of a Gym and Health Clinic
– 20 Years of continuous study and application in Flow Science and Behavioral Modelling
– Qualified in Horticulture, Permaculture Design, Regenerative Agriculture – Kinsale College
– Skilled in Video Production and AI video creation for test marketing
– Skilled in Wireframe Architecture for App development
Avail of our free 30 min consultation
Contact Sean today: WhatsApp +353 86 258 1235. Email: hello@seanoleary.design
Case Studies
Strategic Storytelling. CEO Support. Coaching
Much of Sean’s support work is private but some clients have kindly given permission to privately share video evidence of their success. Below are case studies that we have permission to share.
CEO SUPPORT
24 months
Arkphire
Dublin, Ireland
Rebranding, Office Design and Staff Training
Facing challenging market conditions and a restrictive legacy culture at A&O Ireland Limited, Sean worked to support the CEO Paschal Naylor in this Irish IT Services business transformation. Sean renamed and rebranded the business as Arkphire, designed and directed upgrades in their corporate offices, developed marketing communications material, and trained staff in health culture for increased productivity. He designed and built Arkphire’s new website to tell the new brand story. Enterprise Ireland subsequently recognised Arkphire as one of the country’s best new export brands. Sean continued his support role for two years until the changes had consolidated. In 2021 Arkphire reported a sale to Presidio in excess of €100 million.
CFO SUPPORT
18 months
BD Electronics
Malta
Rebranding, Marketing and Growth Mindset
With global headquarters in Malta, BD Electronics supplies components to industries through staff based across 50 countries. As an outlier in the electronics global supply chain, BD was the underdog player. Sean’s brief was to build a true Living Brand and foster a unified culture among a global workforce that rarely met face-to-face. He created structure for engaging online activities and passion-sharing workshops. He introduced a Pathways Programme for staff onboarding and upskiling, which facilitated a highly motivated sales team to earn career acceleration credits. Combined with targeted online advertising, this project built a culture of unity and can-do attitude plus improved productivity. It also supported the engagement with and acquisition of high-value clients.
Video Production
2 months
Oil Exploration
Belize
Video Documentary to Consolidate a Living Story
Sean’s brief was to document the story of the exploration of oil against all odds in Belize, Central America. The story is about a small group of people with limited resources daring to believe they would find oil, even when all the big multinational exploration teams with unlimited budgets over several decades said it could not be done. This inspirational project changed the prosperity of a nation and was the first oil company in the world to win both an Environmental Award and an Education in Business Award. He completed a further biography video on the life of the legendary geologist and oil explorer, Tommy Thompson.
CEO SUPPORT
8 years
Flor Griffin Electrical
Cork, Ireland
Accelerated Growth Through the Underdog Story
Sean delivered on story, brand, marketing, advertising, and showroom design to empower Flor Griffin Electrical’s aggressive retail expansion. From humble beginnings, working directly to support the CEO, he helped the business become Ireland’s largest independent electrical retailer. Together they analysed the immediate financial returns of every advertising spend to turn customer response behaviour into a science. Across six retail sites, they mapped seasonal and weather-dependent purchasing habits, identified monthly spending cycles, and optimised campaign timing to avoid periods of divided consumer attention. This was a game changer in the electrical retail space in Ireland.
Coach
8 weeks
International Banker
London
Health and Career Reboot for Business Executive
‘The stress of international banking, compounded by an advanced Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosis left me with great difficulty walking and poor general coordination, forcing me out of my high-profile banking executive role. Basic daily tasks like cooking and dressing had become profoundly difficult. I relocated from the UK to Cork to undergo an 8-week program with Sean. Through this intensive training camp including physical training, specialised nutrition, behavioural modelling, and mind reprogramming, I left in great health and successfully rebooted my career. The upgrading of my internal mind story was cornerstone to this successful outcome”.
Living Brand
2 months
Lisavaird Co-Op
West Cork, Ireland
Strategy, Storytelling, Design and Publishing
While the Annual Report for Lisavaird Co-Op had traditionally been just a financial document, Sean worked with Denis McSweeney and the team at Lisavaird to showcase the real asset behind the agricultural co-operative’s 100-year success: its people. In 2025, Sean designed and published the report to celebrate their centenary history, then in 2026, focused on their Living Brand story – the inspirational individuals whose combined voices reflect a powerful community ethos and sense of unity within the business. The publication successfully addressed sustainability, investment strategy, culture, community engagement, and passion recognition among its people. This premium, magazine-style production echoes the pride, loyalty, and ownership shared among staff, farmers, and stakeholders across generations at Lisavaird Co-Op.
CEO support
3 months
Farran Technology
Ballincollig, Ireland
Pitch Story to Help CEO Secure €24m SALE
The R&D department at Farran Technology had developed unique IP in airport millimetre-wave scanning technology to detect plastic and ceramic weapons at airports security checkpoints. However, the company had faced difficulty in securing the €4m investment required for product development. As an Industrial Design Engineer, Sean translated their technical data and the CEO’s vision into a 3D demonstration model, integrated it into a virtual airport, and created a lifelike walk-through simulation video. He named and branded the innovation ‘Tadar’ and presented a high-level pitch story to support the CEO to showcase the product’s potential. Now satisfied by the clarity of the story and vision, Smiths Detection acquired the Tadar project for €24m. It has now been installed in airports worldwide.
Coach
2 years
Deirdre O’Reilly
Bandon, Ireland
Journalists life transformation after stroke
“After suffering a massive debilitating stroke and spending 18 months in one of Irelands leading rehabilitation facilities, I was sent home in the belief that little more could be done. Medical consensus suggested I would never walk, talk, or care for myself again. Previously, I had used her platform as a journalist with Cork’s Evening Echo newspaper to raise millions for struggling communities; now, these communities rallied to fundraise for my special-needs home. Sean worked with me through a programme which included specialised nutrition, physical exercise, and mind re-programming, coaching me back to greatly improved health and vitality. He helped me to defy all odds to return to independent living – walking, driving, cooking, shopping etc. A video of me successfully climbing the chapel steps in Bandon went on to receive over 500,000 views on YouTube in a few days”.
CEO support
1 year
MirEnglish Language school
Bilbao, Spain
How an Engaging Story Can Accelerate Growth
Until working with Sean, Miren Totorikaguena, CEO of MirEnglish Language School in never really understood the value of taking the time and seeking support to clarify her story and pathway so she could be a more effective leader. She learned to create certainty not just for her team and customers, but most importantly, in her own mind. Sean helped uncover her passion and her ‘why’, and today she feels more driven and motivated to succeed. Her management team now move forward with certainty as they roll out the business story through videos, a brochure, a website, and social media. Sean’s support helped Miren to transition from working in the business to working on the business.
Life Reboot
2 years
Paschal O’Leary
Cork, Ireland
From Serious Illness to Health and Business Startup
Diagnosed with stage 4 lymphatic cancer, doctors told Paschal that his illness was critical. Chemotherapy went well but he was left drained and directionless after years of back-breaking stress. Sean helped get him back on track through a programme that included targeted exercise, diet, and a deeper understanding of mindset and self-expression. He powered Paschal up both mentally and physically to build a new business (Wishing Well), then supported him with marketing and branding. Sean introduced him to Toastmasters, where he later won a top Irish Award, and encouraged him to direct and act in local theatre, which he did very successfully. His wife is delighted with the new upgraded version of Paschal!”
Design
26 years
Barryroe Co-Op
West Cork, Ireland
An iconic Local Farming Community Project
Initially commissioned to design the 2001 Barryroe Co-op calendar, Sean has been retained by the Co-op for the past 25 years to continue to tell the story of the Co-op, its local history, and the environment in which it operates. Producing this calendar has allowed the Co-op to showcase the work of many local artists and photographers over the years. It has become a prized Christmas staple for local families and for the global Barryroe diaspora, often evoking a sense of nostalgia for happier, simpler, times gone by. Sean collaborates closely with the Co-op’s team to maintain this as a meaningful annual publication.
Coaching
2 years
Daniel Walsh
Ballincollig, Ireland
Behavioural Modelling for mindset in Sport
Daniel Walsh was an ambitious 16-year-old rugby player with a dream of turning professional and playing for Ireland. Sean designed his gym, nutrition, and mind programmes and supported him through the science of Behavioural Modelling to imprint traits and skills of his hero, Australian rugby star David Pocock. Daniel already had a fertile and open mind to absorb ambitious goals and Sean taught him to use his mind to achieve a deeper level of immersion both on the rugby field and in the gym. He went on to play for Munster and the Ireland Under-20s. During a live 6 Nations TV broadcast, the commentator, completely unaware of Sean’s input, remarked that Daniel ‘played like he was the new David Pocock of the Northern Hemisphere’. Daniel went on to play professional rugby with Bury St Edmunds RUFC in the UK.
own businesses
Design and marketing business. Gym and Health Clinic. Restaurant.
Practical marketplace application formed an integral part of my ongoing MBA at University College Cork/Irish Management Institute. While so many professionals today choose a narrow focus and specialise in a singular business area, my passion has always been towards gaining a broad experience range supported by a strong multi-disciplinary skills set.
GRUMPY AND WISE RESTAURANT
CROSSHAVEN CO. CORK. - 2 YEAR PROJECT
Within two years, Sean and his business partner got this 130 seater restaurant and team of 15 in Crosshaven form run down to an incredible success story and a beacon within the hospitality industry today. In an industry plagued by staff quality and retention they excelled, having trained a team of exceptional professionals who not only shared their vision but, each day were individually self-motivated to better our business and service levels as if the business were their own.
Endless social media platform reviews paint a picture of exceptional staff, truly great food in a beautiful atmosphere, validation of our business model.
The venue became a local landmark, the meeting place for a whole community. With this unique people-centred business model and with no advertising, the rapid growth has been noteworthy within the industry, especially in a small village community. With a team that love what they do then the old fashioned word of mouth is all you may need to grow organically.
CORPORATE OLYMPIAN GYM AND HEALTH CLINIC
SARSFIELD ROAD, WILTON, CORK - 7 YEAR PROJECT
Sean’s gym was not a public one, but rather appointment-based private club where clients came on recommendation from either past clients of from medical doctors who themselves had received great support and benefit from completing our programmes.
One group of clients were typically sportspeople looking for peak performance to deliver winning results. Sean’s cutting-edge nutrition and exercise programmes were ahead of their time. The other group were business people who often had health and wellbeing issues as well as wanting to get into shape and regain their zest for life. With his small team of three, they achieved transformational results.
With seven years of continuous research and hundreds of live illness treatment and prevention case studies, this today offers a great depth of knowledge to support my work with elite athletes.
CORPORATE OLYMPIAN MARKETING AND DESIGN AGENCY
DOUGLAS, CORK - 10 YEAR PROJECT
Sean qualified with a degree in Industrial Design Engineering, the closest thing he could find to being an inventor, his passion since I was a young boy. Straight out of college he completed a ‘Start Your Own Business’ programme then set up my own marketing and design business. He self-trained as a graphic designer and won the top award in Ireland in this field for two consecutive years. He continued self-training in magazine publishing, marketing, advertising, web development, film-making and architecture, gaining many industry accolades in all these areas.
While these ten years in marketing and design thought him how to effectively communicate a corporate message, today his work with business leaders and elite sportspeople more involves preparing for a direct relationship between a single person and world market. Here there is no buffer of a PR company, marketing or advertising agency.
His passion in marketing today is to enable people live and speak their truth and brand/message without divide, to guide them in authenticity, passion and conviction – to create a tangible personal connection with their desired audience, one that develops a sustainable engagement.
Get in touch
Contact me today for a chat, let me know what your challenges and requirements may be and I will get back to you with a proposal
Sean O’Leary, Timoleague, Co. Cork. Ireland +353 86 258 1235 hello@seanoleary.design