On Twisting The Plot podcast Nancy Kessler (Founder of Memoirs Plus) discusses the power of story and what she has learned from listening to people as they tell the stories of their lives. 

Consider the longevity market — services and products targeting people over 50. The opportunity is enormous. According to AARP, the economic activity of Americans 50+ is the equivalent of the third largest economy in the world. 

Kessler works with clients ranging in age from 65 to 100+ to turn their stories into one-of-a-kind keepsake books they can then share with families, friends and future generations.

I am reminded this week of how important it is to tell those who bring meaning to your life of the significance sooner than later. 

There is perhaps nothing that could be appreciated more by your family than the gift of your stories and memories.

How often have we heard a family member tell a fascinating personal tale or humorous anecdote from long-ago? In my business, I hear many stories of romance, courtship, homecomings, marriages, war and peace, family squabbles and generational similarities.

We have a number of clients in their 90's and we are currently working with a 101 year-old woman who has 25 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. We adore all of  our clients, but one  favorite  is a 94 year-old  woman who has taken several memoir writing classes for the past three years. She was uncertain if she had enough material and we assured her that her current collection of stories would be a great start for "Volume One."

“It was a transition, but I really love it,” says Kessler of her two-year-old business. “I have so much more creativity and freedom now, and I’ve met so many interesting people as a result of it. It’s the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

Ever wonder what will happen to all those wonderful stories hidden within your photo albums and shoe boxes full of memorabilia? Well, here’s a special way to share and pass down those memories, and create a forever gift to your family.

Nancy Kessler spent much of her career as a museum curator, but she also has had a lifelong love of working with older people. During one stint working with Alzheimer's patients, she noticed a gap in one type of caregiving: "There is a lot of wellness and physical therapy but not much intellectual stimulation."

Memoirs Plus is created to engage and stimulate active, independent seniors with sophisticated cultural, intellectual and creative activities which will enable them to tell their life stories in the form of a memoir book, film, collage, presentation or other media. I want to pioneer innovative programs for Boomers.

Kessler spends a good deal of time with the memoir recipient, about twenty hours but it depends on their needs, and sits with family members as well. What she gives back is a completely bound book with a story and photos provided by the family. The whole process takes a few months.

What is your story?

Here is an interesting article about inheritance and family value legacy! 

Why? It turns out it’s not about the money. Instead, boomers say personal keepsakes, family stories and last wishes are a far more important bequest than money.

Whether you want a memoir gift for the holidays or a complete published book, I am available to capture your family stories and honor your elders.