State College local grows storytelling workshop business with Happy Valley LaunchBox

University Park – State College community member Dawn Ziegerer believes in the power of storytelling. Recognizing its value in leadership, she launched The Great Story Workshop to help leaders and entrepreneurs use storytelling to overcome challenges and become more effective, relatable communicators. 

“The workshops are great for leadership development. Just because you’re a leader doesn’t mean you’re a natural communicator,” Ziegerer said. “These workshops help leaders better connect with their teams. Storytelling makes leaders relatable and shows they understand the challenges employees face at work.” 

To grow her business, Ziegerer connected with Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank in winter 2024. She first participated in the MVP DevLab program, then advanced to the FastTrack Accelerator program in spring 2025. 

Both programs are free and open to the public, and are designed to help entrepreneurs test, refine, and grow their business ideas. 

“One thing I love about FastTrack is the chance to have other people look at your work and your website and say, ‘Oh my gosh, that needs to be fixed,’” Ziegerer said. “One of the mentors really helped me come up with a solid elevator pitch, which is so important.” 

Ziegerer, who holds a master’s degree in media studies from the Penn State Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications and has previously taught as an instructor and lecturer, described her workshops as highly interactive. 

 Participants engage in activities that help them become more comfortable sharing stories, learn what makes a story compelling, and understand why stories are more memorable and influential than data. She also helps them identify the universal themes in their personal stories that others can relate to. 

“Running the Great Story Workshop is the best job I’ve ever had,” Ziegerer said. “I get to see people come into the workshop feeling uncertain or anxious, and by the end of the day, they’re starting to master a new skill. I get to see the people in the room really connect with each other because storytelling is so personal.” 

Ziegerer said FastTrack helped her realize that growing her business requires reaching out to many people to find those interested in her services. 

“Anyone I meet who has a business, I tell them to go to Happy Valley LaunchBox,” she said. “It’s hundreds of brains that are there to mentor you for free. And they actually require you to attend class, participate, and get coached. You have to do those things to stay in the program. When you try to do this on your own, it’s hard. These programs give you structure and dozens of sets of eyes on your work, helping you improve.” 

Since participating in the programs, Ziegerer has gained new clients and is continuing to grow her client base. 

“If you have a small business and don’t have free guides and mentors, you really need to come to LaunchBox,” she said. “It’s free help — why would you not go?” 

About Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank 

Happy Valley LaunchBox, located on the second floor of the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub in downtown State College, provides early-stage startups with support and resources they need to build a sustainable and scalable business and a viable plan for growth. No-cost programs and services can include coworking space, accelerator programs, legal and intellectual property resources, and expert mentorships from Penn State’s extensive network. LaunchBox is open to everyone — community members and those affiliated with Penn State. Happy Valley LaunchBox is a signature program of the Invent Penn State initiative and one of 21 innovation spaces located in Penn State campus communities across Pennsylvania. Learn more.  

This program was financed in part by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community & Economic Development.