GainStory was founded by Mary-Rose Ilaya, a passionate storyteller and storyseller with a vision to transform how brands connect with their audiences through the power of storytelling. Mary-Rose believes storytelling is in her DNA, a passion that has driven her from a very young age.
Growing up, Mary-Rose had an insatiable love for stories. When she was little and couldn’t read, she always wanted someone to read to her, a task that often fell to her mother. However, as her mother couldn’t always find the time, Mary-Rose’s desire for stories fueled her determination to learn to read independently. Surprisingly, she learned to read without formal instruction. A brief 5 to 10-minute session with her brother’s phonics teacher showed her how to break words into syllables, and from there, she took off. Mary-Rose was reading fluently by age five or six, driven by her love for stories.
Her passion for storytelling only grew from there. By the age of 12, she had written several poems and her first unpublished children’s book, adapting a favorite story her mother used to tell her. She put her spin on it, extracting moral lessons and rewriting the story from a new perspective. Throughout her education, her teachers and lecturers consistently praised her unique writing style, noting its beautiful structure and ease of reading. Her friends consistently commended how she recounted a movie or shared an experience with them. It wasn’t until later that she realized they were recognizing her innate talent for storytelling.
Mary-Rose’s love for stories was not just a hobby but a driving force in her life. As a child, she would save all her allowance and earnings from side hustles to buy books, often going without lunch or snacks in school just to satisfy her craving for new stories. This early dedication honed her vocabulary and understanding of narrative structure, laying a solid foundation for her future career.
While in the university, she turned her passion into a profession, learning SEO, blog writing, and graphic design and gaining experience writing for blogs. After graduation, she gained more experience working at an agency, ghostwriting eBooks for entrepreneurs, and crafting stories for celebrities and top brands in the U.S., Europe, and Africa. Her expertise expanded to include social media management and video scriptwriting, making her a powerhouse of creative talent.
Mary-Rose attributes her success to her grit, determination, and growth mindset. She believes one can achieve anything with the right mindset and the willingness to learn. Inspired by the philosophy of taking on challenges first and mastering them through dedicated effort, she blazed her way through several tough job descriptions and expectations, leaving excellent feedback and recommendations in her trail. She often recalls a quote that empowered her mindset (usually attributed to Richard Branson): “If someone offers you an amazing opportunity and you’re not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later.”
Excellence is woven into the very fiber of Mary-Rose’s being; she pursues it daily. She is meticulous and diligent and refuses to accept anything subpar or average. While she acknowledges that perfection is a myth, she strives for continuous improvement and near-perfect execution in everything she does. These values are deeply embedded in her work ethic and are the cornerstone of her approach to storytelling and content creation. With over six years of experience in the creative field, Mary-Rose brings these values to GainStory.
Mary-Rose founded GainStory after recognizing the profound impact that storytelling had on her life and realizing the potential it held for brands. Her experiences working with diverse clients and seeing firsthand the power of a well-crafted story inspired her to create a boutique storytelling agency dedicated to helping brands harness this power. She wanted to provide a platform where brands could connect with their audiences on a deeper level, build trust, and drive meaningful growth through storytelling.
Her dedication to excellence, passion for storytelling, and relentless pursuit of growth are the driving forces behind GainStory’s success
GainStory emerged from a passion for storytelling and a commitment to delivery excellence. Our journey began with a simple belief: every story deserves to be told beautifully and authentically. GainStory helps consumer businesses and personal brands achieve growth through relatable storytelling, hence the name and slogan: ‘Crafting Narratives, Driving Growth.’
Mary Rose’s love for stories is at the heart of GainStory. As a child, she was captivated by the power of narratives; whether they were read to her or discovered in books she eagerly sought out. This passion deepened over the years, transforming into a professional pursuit that laid the foundation for GainStory.
Mary Rose Ilaya, a born storyteller, had the idea to found the brand in 2022 after years of working in various creative and marketing capacities for numerous brands. The positive feedback she received made her realize the profound impact her storytelling had on their businesses. She saw firsthand how well-crafted stories could drive engagement, build trust, and foster growth. Inspired by these successes, she created a fully registered platform dedicated to helping brands harness the power of storytelling.
At GainStory, we believe that storytelling is more than just a marketing tool; it’s a powerful way to connect with audiences on a deeper level. We aim to help consumer businesses and personal brands achieve the growth they seek through relatable and engaging narratives. We specialize in crafting stories that resonate with audiences, ensuring every message is communicated effectively and authentically.
Our purpose is clear: to help brands gain with stories. We understand that every brand has a unique narrative waiting to be told, and we are dedicated to bringing those stories to life. By focusing on authenticity, creativity, and excellence, we aim to set new standards in storytelling and content marketing.
Our journey is just beginning, and we are excited to partner with brands that share our passion for storytelling and excellence. Together, we can craft narratives that drive growth, build trust, and create lasting connections with audiences. At GainStory, we are committed to transforming the way brands communicate, one story at a time.
In addition to our in-house talent, we are supported by a network of well-vetted and experienced independent contractors. This collaboration allows us to scale our capabilities and ensure we meet the diverse needs of our clients. Our independent contractors are carefully selected for their expertise and commitment to delivery excellence, enabling us to deliver exceptional results and maintain the high standards that GainStory is known for.