Hi! My name is Clarice Dankers, and I am the writer, editor, story coach and web designer behind Story Mentor.
I guess the most important thing you should know about me is that I treat each client’s project as if it were my own. This means I do the best I can to create high quality communications that are well designed, well written and meet the needs of their audience.
In reality, I fall in love with each project I work on. Like a mother giving birth, I feel responsible for sending it out into the world as well-equipped to succeed as possible!
Because my clients are change agents, they have developed skills, knowledge, products and services that truly make a difference in the lives of others. Helping them tell their stories and connect with the people who need what they have to offer makes me feel like I’m part of something much larger than myself.
How would I describe myself?
First, I am a communicator. I love languages of all kinds–both their poetic and their technical aspects. I love the music of the written word and its almost magical ability to stimulate learning, healing and creativity.
Second, I am a teacher and a mentor. I love sharing what I’ve learned with others–especially when doing so helps them achieve their goals.
Third, I am a lifelong learner. Although my propensity to collect information, tools and techniques can sometimes be overwhelming (!), I love knowing there is always more to learn, accomplish and become.
How did I get to be a web geek?
I wonder that myself!
I started out as a teacher of English as a second language (ESL). As a young adult, I joined Peace Corps and was assigned to Kabul, Afghanistan, to teach ESL. After teaching for 8 years (both abroad and in the U.S.), I spent the next 8 years working for high tech corporations–first as an Executive Assistant and then as a Proposal Specialist (writer/editor). I also taught college writing composition courses for 3 years.
In 2002, I started my own business as a freelance writer, editor and writing coach. When I started my business, I knew I needed a website. Ever the do-it-yourselfer, I bought a copy of FrontPage and a book on HTML and plunged in. After a while, I graduated to Dreamweaver. Now I use WordPress because it is a complete content management system that is easy for small business owners to learn and manage themselves.
The geek gene has gradually been growing. Now I love learning software and acquiring tools that enable me to do cool things on the web. In 2010, I took a 16-hour course in inbound marketing and passed an exam that certified me as an inbound marketing professional. What this means is that I learned a LOT more about how to help my clients grow their businesses through the web.
These are the knowledge, passions and skills I bring to every project I do for YOU.
Six things you may not know about me
1. I love to sing folk music in a group. This is why I regularly attend different song circles in Portland and even started my own monthly group at St. Johns Booksellers in North Portland.
2. I met my husband (who is from Holland) during the weekly Happy Hour at the home of the American Marines in Kabul, Afghanistan.
3. I grew up on a 12,000-acre cattle (Herefords) and horse (Quarter Horses) ranch outside of Three Forks, Montana.
4. I own all of the Harry Potter books and movies and have read the books 4 times all the way through.
5. I’m an excellent cook, but a terrible baker. (I subscribe to the toss and taste school of cooking, which is a disaster for cakes and cookies.)
6. My family includes two daughters, a son-in-law, a grandson, a twin sister and two rescued dogs. (One is a German Shepherd/hound mix, one is a Chihuahua mix.) We all get along great!
