The power of storytelling is at the heart of this month’s blog feature. After all, the act of storytelling is a very basic human activity - we’ve been doing it since cavemen were drawing on the walls.

“Storytelling offers the opportunity

to talk with your audience,

not at them.” (Laura Holloway)

Storytelling, and subsequently listening to those stories, reminds us that we are part of something enduring, something much bigger than ourselves. It’s a powerful medium indeed. Why? Because stories have the potential to inspire, to teach us new ideas, make connection and most importantly, they have the power to drive change.

They can also be highly entertaining. Hello! Performing Arts teacher over here!

But as small business women, storytelling is also at the very heart of marketing our personal brands in order to connect with our potential clients on a deeper level.

Welcome to The Bigger Picture; a blog that is all about building NETWORK and CONNECTION. Each month, I feature a woman in small business within my community with the sole purpose of showing support, building solidarity and sharing stories of passion.

I am so fortunate to be surrounded by incredible small businesses in the South West run by mums in their spare rooms or out in their gardens and they each have a unique story to be told; a BIGGER PICTURE to be discovered.

So how does storytelling fit into the life of a small business woman? Well, it’s becoming more and more apparent to me, as I become more adventurous in this social media realm, that marketing is no longer about the stuff that you make, but about the stories you tell. I’ll use myself as an example here (but feel free to contemplate this in your own circumstance). People know that I’m a photographer and I can take great photos. Gee, they know they’re in an area surrounded by amazing photographers, ALL of whom can take great photos. What is it that is going to make them want ME above others? It’s the stories that I tell. YOU are the story in your business and people want to hear that story. They want to know you, and trust you, and feel invested in what it is you’re putting out. They want to feel connected to your “vibe” and know that through your shared experience, that YOU are the one for them. It’s pretty powerful stuff.

My feature for February is a woman who harnesses the medium of storytelling. Dairy farmer, mum to two gorgeous girls, a community minded woman of unlimited energy and passion for the dairy industry and creator of a highly successful and informative podcast @morethanmilk.podcast, I am very pleased to introduce you to…

Chloe Brown

More Than Milk podcast

Tell us about your business and what services you offer.

More than Milk is a podcast dedicated to sharing the incredible stories of the dairy industry—celebrating its people, diversity, challenges, and successes.

Each week, farmers and industry professionals along the supply chain, share what has led them to dairy, the paths they’ve taken, the lessons they’ve learned (both wins and setbacks), and what fuels their passion for the industry.

As a proud advocate for dairy, I believe there’s no single “right” way to farm—just countless approaches to achieving individual goals, dreams, and ambitions. Through this podcast, I aim to shine a light on the often-untold stories of dairy, fostering a sense of connection, inclusion, and shared knowledge. After all, the best way to understand an industry is through the voices of the people who live and breathe it every day!

Is there a story behind the name you chose?

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of dairy? Maybe it’s the milk in your coffee, the cheese on your plate, or the assumption that dairy farming is all about early mornings, late nights, and working 24/7.

But dairy is so much more than that. It’s about the people, the generational families, the innovation, the diverse roles, and the strong sense of community that holds it all together.

I chose the name More than Milk to reflect the bigger picture—the depth of the industry, the diversity of people and values, and the incredible opportunities a career in dairy can offer. It’s not just about the cows producing milk; it’s about the stories, passion, and dedication behind it.

Where does your inspiration come from?

The initial inspiration for More than Milk came after the first Cream of the Crop conference—a two-day event filled with education and inspiration for women in the dairy industry that I co-created. As part of the event, I hosted a panel featuring women who shared their diverse roles within the industry and their farming businesses.

When planning the second year, we wanted to run another panel and started brainstorming potential speakers. What began as a shortlist quickly filled an entire page. It became clear that there were so many incredible people with valuable stories to share—each unique, none more important than the other.

That moment sparked an idea: why not create a platform to share these stories more widely and more often? And so, More than Milk was born. With just under 4,000 dairy farms across Australia and thousands of industry professionals supporting them, the list of potential guests certainly hasn’t gotten any shorter! But what I love most is when someone suggests a guest who’s been quietly ‘flying under the radar’—a person with an incredible story I haven’t yet had the chance to meet. Those unexpected conversations often turn out to be the most inspiring.

What is your favourite part of your job

It’s without a doubt the conversations. Whether I’m chatting with someone I know well or meeting a guest for the first time, there’s always something new to learn, reflect on or take away from the chat.

Every time a guest shares their story, I feel incredibly grateful and inspired by their willingness to be open, honest, and vulnerable. These aren’t just surface-level discussions—they’re real, raw, and deeply personal insights into the challenges, triumphs, and passion that drives them.

It’s about more than just telling stories; it’s about creating connections, celebrating the diversity of the industry, and giving a voice to the people who make dairy what it is. Knowing that these conversations resonate with listeners, helps to build connections and promotes our wonderful industry.

What do you offer your clients that no one else does?

Each episode is a long-form conversation, designed to feel like you’re eavesdropping on a chat between two farmers at the kitchen table. The goal is to share different approaches to farming, spark new ideas, and offer insights that listeners may not have considered before. More importantly, it’s about creating a sense of connection—helping farmers feel less alone and more confident in their own journey.

Unlike many podcasts that prioritize short, snappy episodes, More than Milk embraces the full story. Guests aren’t rushed, and conversations unfold naturally, following the winding road of farming life—both the highs and the lows. This often results in longer episodes, which is becoming increasingly rare in the podcasting world, but it ensures every story is told in its entirety, just as it should be.

What’s the biggest thing you’ve learnt since starting your business? (In other words, what advice would you give others starting up their own small business?)

Storytelling has real power and we can control the narrative. When people are given the space to feel heard, seen and share openly, it creates connection, trust, and appreciation! Sharing our own story is something that will be so necessary within the future landscape of dairy, because if we don't promote the dairy industry, then who will???

For others looking to start their own podcast, or any platform to share stories my advice would be: be authentic and stay true to your purpose. I truly believe if you focus on building genuine relationships and providing value, success will follow. But don’t underestimate the amount of time you will spend on it.

Chloe’s passion for her industry is so inspiring and her words resonate so strongly with me in my own endeavours to create connection and network through this very blog! There absolutely is a bigger picture to be told and people are just waiting to hear yours. So go forth and be tellers of stories! Be champions of your own industries. Don’t hide your light behind a bushel – be vocal and proud and unapologetically ‘you’.

Edwina xx

If you are interested in listening to the More than Milk podcast, you can find it on Apple or Spotify, or just give Chloe a follow (and your support) on her social media page…

Instagram: @morethanmilk.podcast

Facebook: More than Milk

Link: www.morethanmilkpodcast.com