The day we met Justin Timberlake

(and the business lesson I didn’t expect to learn)

Some stories settle into your memory so firmly that they feel stitched into your timeline. This one began a few years ago when Paul and I were still living in the UK. We decided to shake up our usual routine and nab tickets to a live studio recording of Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.

If you’ve lived in the UK, you know exactly why this was a big deal.

If you haven’t? Imagine a variety show on caffeine: a mix of game show energy, surprise guests, live performances, and enough audience participation to make even the shyest person’s palms start sweating.

It was blooming brilliant.

One moment we were cheering for Richard Whiteley (RIP to the king of Countdown), and the next we were clocking Simon Cowell, who was - true to form - still sporting trousers hoisted higher than any stylist would ever recommend.

Then the lights shifted.

The crowd buzzed.

A ripple of excitement ran through the room.

Enter: Justin Timberlake.

This was early-era Justin. The soulful, moody, post-boyband chapter. The Cry Me a River days. The moment he stepped on stage, something changed. His presence was electric without being showy. His voice? Ridiculous. Even more memorable was how warm, sweet, and genuinely lovely he was during the interview. Every person in that studio felt seen and included.

I left that night thinking about him not only as an artist but as a human who understood how to hold a room.

That’s where the unexpected business lesson comes in.

The business lesson Justin slipped into my brain

None of us is running around performing breakup anthems in front of TV audiences (though what a plot twist that would be). Our businesses are different… yet people still power them.

People are choosing to work with us.

People are trusting us.

People are recommending us.

People return to us because the experience felt good.

Here’s the truth that settled in that night:

How someone makes us feel with what they do is everything.

That feeling is what turns a one-off client into a long-term relationship.

It’s what inspires glowing testimonials.

It’s what transforms “I like this person” into “I’m not even checking anywhere else.”

A beautifully designed offer or polished workflow has its place, but those things aren’t the reason someone falls in love with your work. The feeling they walk away with is what stays with them.

Most VAs and creatives I work with are deeply overwhelmed. They’re juggling ten tools, keeping clients happy, trying to stay visible online, and wondering how on earth to stand out in an increasingly crowded digital space. It’s a lot.

Here’s the truth that lifts the pressure:

Standing out isn’t about shouting louder. It’s about creating a feeling people don’t forget.

That’s your edge.

Your differentiator.

Your Magic.

Your stories, your personality, the way you speak to your audience - these are the things that cut through the overwhelm. These are the things that help people say, “I want to work with them.”

Justin had talent, absolutely. Yet the lasting impression came from the way he made the entire room feel like they were part of something special.

That’s the part you can bring into your own business.

It’s time to ask the critical question

How are you making people feel?

Does that feeling reflect who you are today?

Has it changed as your business has evolved?

Is it time to refresh, realign, or rethink how you show up?

This isn’t about perfection.

It’s about intention.

Many VAs and creatives hold incredible stories inside them, but haven’t been shown how to shape those stories into content that resonates and builds trust. They don’t realise that those everyday stories are actually business gold.

Which brings me to your invitation…

The Dotty Duo - a storytelling system you can use all year round

If you’re ready to make your content feel good - for you and for the people reading it - join me inside The Dotty Duo. It’s a pair of workshops designed to be timeless, practical, and something you can return to whenever your storytelling needs a refresh.

Summer 2025 Edition is:

Once Upon a VA

You’ll learn how to find stories, turn them into content, and create meaningful business lessons. There’s also a digital home for storing your stories so you always know what you’ve shared and when.

Love Notes & Notion

Testimonials don’t need to be dull or repetitive. You’ll learn my Love Notes method for gathering, shaping, and sharing client stories in a way that feels warm, human, and deeply compelling. You’ll also get my Notion dashboard for organising and using those stories with ease.

The Dotty Duo includes The Dotty Pages - my digital journals - because your storytelling deserves a beautiful and functional space to thrive.

Explore it anytime here: https://jodraper.au/the-dotty-duo

If you love stories, you’ll love this too.

If storytelling speaks to you - or you want it to feel easier, more joyful, and more “you” - come join me inside Stories from the Dotty Side, my email list for clever creatives, VAs, and anyone who loves a good behind-the-scenes moment.

It’s filled with warmth, lessons, prompts, and reminders that your stories matter far more than you think.

Join Stories from the Dotty Side here:

https://jodraper.au/stories-from-the-dotty-side

Let’s make your business the one people remember - not because it’s loud, but because it feels good to be around.