When you think about the word “investment,” what comes to mind?
Stocks? Bonds?
Real estate? A business?
Gold?
What about less tangible investments, like your achievements and your legacy? Inspiration and lessons?
If your goal is to leave something valuable to your children, grandchildren and beyond, these are just as important as investments like gold and bank accounts. If your goal is to ensure your achievements, experiences, and personal contributions to the world are never forgotten, these investments are far more valuable than any amount of money can be.
“Money’s value fluctuates. Legacies never decrease in value.” — Rich Silivanch
That’s what we’re here to help you do: invest in your legacy by leaving something priceless to future generations.
Give your family something they’ll cherish
What do you wish your parents and grandparents left for you?
Do you wish you could have spent more time with them, asking questions and hearing their takes on specific life lessons?
They probably left you heirlooms, photo albums, monetary assets, and plenty of good advice you’ve leaned on time and time again. But do you ever wish you could hear their voice just one more time or listen to them explain why they made the choices they made?
You’re not alone. These are universal human desires, and they’re the desires we aim to fulfill. Invest in your grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s link to their family history by creating a cinematic short film that gives them the opportunity to know you personally.
Showcase your unique story
Through our process, documenting your life story isn’t just easy…it’s fun!
Imagine starring in a film about the crazy ride life’s taken you on. You’re the main character; Your photos, videos, keepsakes and most treasured possessions are the props. On your capture day, your home is the set. And on Premiere Day, you’re the star.
Here’s a quick look at our process:
- We begin by getting to know you. We chat a bit, discuss your goals and expectations for your film, and determine the best way to showcase your achievements for future generations.
- You determine which stories you want to tell. We can help you jog your memory, revisit different events, and determine how to fit the pieces together through our collection of 150 story starters.
- Up next, it’s Capture Day. Invite your family, gather the photos and videos that illustrate your story, and leave the shooting up to us.
- Next, it’s time to edit. We cut the footage and edit it into a rough version of your film, involving you in the process at every step.
- Premiere Day! This is your finished film’s first screening, which you’ll be able to do in three easy formats
You can learn more about our process here [link to Process page]
Your story is completely unique, and capturing it now is a way to preserve it forever. Take this opportunity to ensure that your grandchildren and great-grandchildren hear your stories in your unique voice and remember you the way you want to be remembered—not through another’s lens, not burdened with projections, and most importantly, not as some speechless still image in a dusty old family photo.
Taking the time to document your story is an investment in your relationship with your children, grandchildren, and generations of your family who haven’t even been born yet. Your legacy is the most important thing you’ll ever give your loved ones—take the time to get the most out of this investment by giving it the time and attention to detail it deserves.
Build relationships now and for decades to come
Story Capsules are relationship-builders. Even at your premiere party, your children might learn new things about you (and your grandchildren definitely will!)
That’s only the beginning, though.
Premiere Day is just the first time anybody will watch your film. In the years and decades that follow, it will become a priceless family heirloom.
“People today want different things from their parents and grandparents. They don’t care as much about things, they care about relationships. That’s what we’re supporting when we create Story Capsules: long-term relationships that span generations.” —Rich Silivanch
Putting time and energy into documenting your story today will ensure that it isn’t forgotten tomorrow. And we aren’t suggesting that your family will intentionally forget your story—nobody plans to forget something. But the reality is, memories fade. Second-generation storytellers are one step removed from the original event, so even when they try to retell stories faithfully, inevitably they get details wrong or skip over important parts.
When you record your story in your voice, that won’t happen. It can’t happen. Your record is there, as clear as it was the day you first told your story, available for all to see.
As you craft your estate plans, don’t overlook the importance of preserving your life story. Sometimes, it’s easy to get so focused on things like trusts, wills, and succession plans that you don’t prioritize the intangible assets that are just as much a part of your estate as the tangible ones. Be proactive about sharing your stories with future generations by documenting your life lessons and perspectives today.
Estate planning is a holistic process. Our focus is outside the traditional estate planner’s scope
A traditional estate planner’s job is to help you write your will and determine the best ways to shield your assets. They play a critical role in ensuring that generational wealth stays in your family. Material generational wealth, that is.
Our role in estate planning is different. We ensure that non-tangible generational wealth stays in your family. Think of us as estate planner-adjacent: they protect all the things money can buy, and we protect all the things it can’t.
Contact the Story Capsule team today to learn more about how we work with individuals like you to create timeless documentary films your loved ones will cherish for generations.
