Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Whitney Lee. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Whitney, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
For a long time, other people saw confidence in me before I ever recognized it in myself. I would often hear that others admired my confidence, while internally I questioned whether I actually possessed it. I think some of that foundation was shaped by being the youngest child in my family, where I was naturally placed in situations with people who were older, more experienced, and more established. As the youngest, you learn quickly how to hold your own, adapt, and rise to the level of those around you. Over time, I realized that the “big kids” didn’t have anything I couldn’t develop or learn. Today, my confidence doesn’t come from believing I have all the answers; it comes from trusting my ability to figure things out. Having navigated countless unfamiliar and challenging moments, I know I can face uncertainty, learn quickly, and do it again and again.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
At True Story, we help hospitality, travel, tourism, and lifestyle brands be seen, heard, and truly known in their markets. What excites me most about our work is that we don’t just focus on short-term visibility. We help brands build reputations that drive long-term demand and growth. As the founder, I lead our business development efforts, host our podcast, Hospitality On Air, and work closely with clients to shape the bigger-picture strategy behind their marketing and communications. While public relations is at our core, our capabilities extend well beyond that, including organic and paid social media, influencer campaigns, email marketing, and fractional CMO support. We recently expanded our services to include paid digital advertising, allowing us to create even more integrated, results-driven campaigns for our clients. Everything we do is rooted in thoughtful storytelling, strategic execution, and a deep understanding of the industries we serve.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the three skills that had the biggest impact on my journey were writing, creative thinking, and a commitment to being a lifelong learner. Writing is foundational in marketing and public relations. We are communicators first, and clear, compelling writing drives everything from pitches to brand narratives. Thinking outside the box has also been critical, because there is rarely one “right” way to gain visibility; success often comes from creative approaches that connect the right message with the right audience in unexpected ways. Finally, staying curious and continuously learning has been essential in an industry that changes daily. Marketing and PR evolve constantly, and if you stop paying attention, you fall behind quickly. My advice to those early in their careers is to sharpen your writing every chance you get, challenge yourself to think creatively without fear of being wrong, and stay genuinely curious about how people connect with brands. No one will hand you a playbook, so you have to be willing to figure things out as you go.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
One book that has had a lasting impact on my personal and professional development is How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. I went into the book thinking, “I’ve never had an issue making friends before,” but there are so many valuable lessons in the book about subconscious thinking, negotiation, and how to get the outcome you desire. The biggest takeaway for me is that the most valuable skill you can have in life is knowing how to work with and relate to other people. Simple principles like genuinely listening, showing sincere appreciation, and making others feel heard can completely change the outcome of a conversation or relationship. The book reinforces that people want to feel understood and respected before they are willing to trust or collaborate. I’ve applied this mindset throughout my career, whether building client relationships, pitching media, or leading a team, and have seen firsthand how empathy and thoughtful communication open doors that tactics alone never could. In an industry built on relationships, those human skills often matter more than any technical expertise.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.truestorypr.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truestorypublicrelations/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrueStoryPublicRelations
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truestorypr/?viewAsMember=true
