Meet Eliza McCathie | Entrepreneur and Founder of The Wedding Storybook

Driven by a desire to preserve precious wedding memories beyond traditional photo albums, Eliza McCathie, a creative entrepreneur and female founder developed  The Wedding Storybook: bespoke wedding storybooks. These beautifully crafted magazines have quickly become a sought-after way for couples to commemorate their special day, moving beyond traditional photo albums to create truly personalized keepsakes.

Eliza identified a gap in the market for customizable and personalized wedding keepsakes and then turned her vision into a thriving business. The product quickly developed into different magazines (storybooks) including biographies, celebration of life, and a baby’s first year. Her success story highlights the power of creativity, hard work, and the understanding of storytelling. Read on to find out more about her inspiring story!

Can you start by introducing yourself and telling us in your words, about your inspiring story?

My name is Eliza, I’m 30 years old and I’m based in the Cotswolds, UK. I recently got married and honestly, it was a dream come true! For many couples, your wedding day is obviously a very special time and as someone who is incredibly sentimental, I knew I just had to document every detail and every story that led to this beautiful moment. 

I knew I wanted to create my own album that was not only filled with the professional wedding photos but also included my phone photos, guest photos, and written text to tell the full story of events that led up to the wedding day. All these elements contribute to the perfect story. So I designed my own personal wedding magazine – and that’s when The Wedding Storybook business began. I’m lucky to have supportive friends and family around me that encouraged me to start and I’m so glad I did! 

The Wedding Storybook quickly developed into a new trend within the wedding industry and with demand quickly expanding beyond weddings I soon developed even more personal magazines resulting in  ‘The Storybook Collection’  My products now include personal magazines for celebration of life, biographies, and “Babies First Year” chronicles.

My success exemplifies the power of creativity, hard work, and a profound understanding of storytelling. By transforming a personal need into a unique and meaningful product, I have created a business that helps others cherish their most cherished memories

What made you decide to go into business for yourself?

I’ve been in business for many years now after unfortunately experiencing many toxic workplaces. I initially started my own business as a freelance social media content creator and graphic designer as I’ve always been creative and enjoy the art of storytelling. 

However, it wasn’t until I began planning my own wedding that I founded my new venture – The Wedding Storybook. I designed my own personalized wedding magazine to capture the essence of our special day, and the overwhelming response from friends and family was truly inspiring. They encouraged me to set this up as a new business and so I did just that! I got to work developing my own logo, and building a user-friendly website and social media content to reach newlywed couples. 

For me, The Wedding Storybook is more than just a business; it’s a deeply personal mission to help others celebrate life’s most cherished moments. I believe that every story deserves to be beautifully told and preserved, and I am dedicated to creating lasting keepsakes that will be treasured for generations to come.

How did you market your business when it was brand new?

I started by showcasing my initial Storybooks on social media with professional photos. I also documented my journey, filming behind the scenes to share my progress.

Building valuable partnerships was key. So I reached out to professional wedding suppliers fostering relationships that have become invaluable. These collaborations have been instrumental in introducing The Wedding Storybook to new couples.

My marketing strategy is constantly evolving, just as my business is. I focus on consistent engagement on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, connecting with my audience and sharing the unique stories we help bring to life as well as PR outreach that helped with a successful launch. 

What are the three most important habits to be a successful entrepreneur?

Three Habits of Highly Successful Entrepreneurs:

1. Embrace Continuous Learning and Creativity: The business landscape is constantly shifting. Successful entrepreneurs are lifelong learners, always seeking new knowledge, exploring innovative ideas, and staying curious. You never know where a spark of creativity might lead! I’m so glad I ran with my creativity to develop this new trend within the wedding industry. 
2. Cultivate Resilience and Adaptability: Setbacks and challenges are inevitable on the entrepreneurial journey. Successful entrepreneurs are resilient, able to learn from their mistakes and bounce back stronger. They are also adaptable, and willing to pivot their strategies and adjust to changing market conditions. Never stand still!
3. Believe in Your Vision: It’s easy to let self-doubt creep in, but successful entrepreneurs cultivate unwavering self-belief. When you truly believe in your vision and your ability to achieve it, incredible things can happen.

If you had one piece of advice for someone just starting out, what would it be?

If you’re dreaming of starting a business, don’t let fear hold you back. Take that first step!

I’m constantly inspired by entrepreneurs like Simon Squibb, who relentlessly challenge us to pursue our passions. 

Overcoming fear and breaking down your goals into smaller, manageable steps is key. 

Remember, every journey begins with a single step. So, what are you waiting for? Turn those dreams into reality!

What would you consider your biggest accomplishment and why?

I’m incredibly grateful for the unexpected journey my business has taken in these early months. A single TikTok video showcasing my wedding magazines unexpectedly reached over 200,000 people. The overwhelming response from the online community has been truly humbling, and I’m deeply grateful for the kind words and support I’ve received.

This viral moment catapulted The Wedding Storybook into the public eye, providing an incredible launchpad for my business. 

Every order, big or small, is a testament to the hard work and passion I’ve poured into this venture. I celebrate each and every success, cherishing the trust and support of my wonderful customers.

What challenges have you faced in the workplace, especially your experience in male-dominated environments?

Don’t get me started on this! Early in my working life, I encountered several challenging work environments that unfortunately fostered toxic cultures. As an introvert, I quickly realized that these environments weren’t conducive to my growth and well-being. I also couldn’t settle for the standard 9-5 working day stuck in an office, and knew I needed a more flexible structure to allow me some freedom. 

These experiences ultimately fueled my desire for greater things and the control over my professional path, led me to pursue my own business. Today, at 30 years old, I’m incredibly grateful for the resilience and determination that have allowed me to build my own successful business.

Eliza McCathie, Founder of The Wedding Storybook

Can you share some of the most important lessons you’ve learned from your successes and failures in business?

Two years ago, I burned out as a freelance social media manager, really bad. It took me a whole year to recover and to realize that I needed to start something new. 

Besides making the classic mistake of taking on more than I could handle, I felt like I was online 25/8. I was constantly on social media trying to keep up, and I realized I wasn’t enjoying it anymore. I felt like a letdown. All I’d ever wanted was to have my own business, so why wasn’t I enjoying it anymore? 

I knew I had to make a change. So here’s what I started doing that worked for me. 

❌ I decided to slow down my freelance work, pivoting more towards graphic design rather than social media management. It’s so important to strip things back and understand where your passions lie and to realize it’s absolutely fine if you no longer enjoy something as much as you once did. 

❌ I stopped creating personal content and focused on other things in my personal life. 

The break was very much needed and it gave me a chance to figure out what I wanted to do. 

I realized I enjoyed the graphic design element much more than my initial social media work which came at the right moment when I designed my own wedding magazine. 

When I launched The Wedding Storybook it gave me a new sense of purpose and my enthusiasm and entrepreneurial drive renewed.

I’ve since had a few viral videos, gained over 1k followers overnight, and have been accepted onto the TikTok creator program 

The moral of the story is: 

✨It’s completely ok to change direction even though you never thought you would. Don’t be afraid to start something new. 

✨ Your spark WILL come back, I promise

How do you set your business apart from others in your industry?

I’m at the forefront of a brand new trend in the wedding industry: personalized wedding magazines. Unlike generic photo albums, each Magazine or Storybook is a meticulously crafted, bespoke masterpiece, uniquely tailored to tell a couple’s individual love story.

Combining breathtaking photography with heartfelt written narratives, these exquisite magazines transcend the traditional wedding keepsake. They offer couples an immersive experience, allowing them to not only relive their wedding day but also share their journey with loved ones in a truly special and intimate way. 

After immediate interest, the company quickly developed and the wedding storybook is now a branch of The Storybook Collection, offering personal magazines for even more milestones in life. 

The most effective social media platforms depend entirely on your target audience. My advice is:

• Know your audience: Identify where your ideal customers spend their time online. B2B businesses often find success on LinkedIn, while visually-driven products thrive on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
• Choose your focus: Don’t spread yourself too thin. Select one or two platforms where you can consistently create high-quality content and engage authentically with your audience.

For The Storybook Collection, I primarily focus on TikTok and Instagram. These platforms allow me to connect with my audience on a more personal level. I hope you can follow along on my journey and feel free to drop me a DM – I’m always happy to connect! @thestorybook_collection @weddingstorybook

Which female leader do you admire, and why?

I really admire Emma Fishlock, the founder of RWC and The Strategic Circle. She’s such an inspiration! Emma’s always pushing me to think bigger and step outside my comfort zone. She’s taught me so much about strategic planning, setting goals, and celebrating wins – it really works!

Emma has helped countless female entrepreneurs, and her positivity is contagious. She encourages everyone to lead with purpose, and that’s exactly what I’m doing with The Storybook Collection, keeping my mission at the front of everything I do. 

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