Tami Belt: Truth, Trust, and the Power of Story

As a storyteller and public relations professional, Tami Belt sees truth as a form of kindness. Whether coaching a client, writing a bio, or pitching a story, she brings honesty, clarity, and compassion to the work. She shared her experience working with reporters and the importance of providing valuable content and building long-term relationships.

In our conversation, Tami described her introduction to storytelling as a survival tool and a source of transformation. "No matter what story you're written into," she said, "you can change the ending." This belief now shapes her work with small businesses and nonprofits, where she helps organizations build meaningful relationships through authentic communication.

From a young age, Tami Belt understood the power of stories. Growing up in a challenging family environment, she used storytelling to make sense of the world, and eventually rewrote the narrative to claim agency over her own life. Today, as a public relations professional and founder, Tami channels that same power to help clients uncover their truths and connect with others.

Leaving corporate America was not a career pivot, but a moral one. After experiencing unkind and manipulative leadership firsthand, Tami made a conscious decision to work only with those who valued respect. "I fired clients when I couldn't afford to," she said. "If they don’t treat me with respect, I won’t work with them."

Tami’s approach to public relations goes far beyond writing press releases. She defines PR as relationship-building and community engagement, grounded in empathy, curiosity, and truth. Her clients are not just projects, they are people with values, histories, and voices. In one example, she recalled working with a nonprofit benefiting children with brain tumors. The decade-long relationship left lasting emotional bonds, including one client’s family asking her to contribute a poem for a wedding ceremony years later.

"Always act kinder than you feel," she said. "You never know what someone else is carrying." Kindness, for Tami, is a deliberate act. It is listening deeply enough to earn trust and then telling stories that honor that trust.

"Kindness is curiosity instead of judgment."

Tami Belt is a founder, public relations strategist, author, speaker and a storyteller. Her work illustrates that kindness in communication builds not just brands, but trust. Keep an eye out for more interviews.