Roy Moëd on Turning Memories Into Masterpieces

“There are two dates: you’re born and you die — but it’s the dash in between that tells your story.”
– Roy Moëd

In an age of scrolling feeds and vanishing digital memories, Roy Moëd is championing something different — something timeless. Through his company LifeBook Memoirs, he’s helping individuals turn their life stories into beautifully printed autobiographies, preserving not just facts and dates, but emotion, reflection, and values.

Recently, Roy joined host Alan Olsen on the American Dreams podcast to talk about his unlikely entrepreneurial journey, the deeply personal roots of LifeBook, and why now — more than ever — our stories matter.

From Dyslexia to a Global Business

Roy’s path was anything but traditional. A self-described “failed academic,” he struggled in school due to dyslexia and faced antisemitism growing up in Jersey and apartheid-era South Africa. Between ages 18 and 25, he held 29 different jobs — an experience he jokingly calls his “University of Life.”

Eventually, Roy co-founded Pourshins Limited, a global airline catering company, with just £4,800 and plenty of hustle. The company grew to employ over 600 people and generated £100 million in annual turnover before Roy sold it in 2008.

But despite the success, something was missing. “I never really felt I’d added any value to anyone’s life by providing airline food,” Roy admitted.

A Personal Turning Point

That search for meaning became deeply personal when Roy’s father — aging, blind, and depressed — was nearing the end of his life. “I just wanted to give him something to look forward to,” Roy shared. “Not the story itself, but the process of telling it.”

Roy sent someone to interview his father each week. The first LifeBook was born — not for commercial use, but as an act of love. Although they only completed 35 pages, the experience changed Roy’s life. He began asking: How could I give this sense of purpose to others?

Building LifeBook Memoirs

From that seed, LifeBook Memoirs was born. Today, the company has created over 20,000 private autobiographies across 40 countries. Each book is more than a biography — it’s a deeply personal, heirloom-quality keepsake.

The process is intimate and intentional. Clients are paired with a local interviewer, a culturally matched ghostwriter, and a dedicated project manager to guide them through a six- to nine-month journey. The final product is printed on archival-quality paper designed to last centuries — a format chosen very deliberately. “If you want to read the Magna Carta from 1086, you can,” Roy explained. “But you can’t read a floppy disk from 1996. That’s why print matters.”

The Emotional Impact

The most powerful stories from LifeBook Memoirs don’t come from celebrities or CEOs — they come from ordinary people whose lives shaped those around them.

Roy shared one particularly moving story of a young widow who created a memoir of her late husband, gathering 26 interviews from four cities and compiling them alongside their shared art collection and text messages. “She printed only three copies, locked them in a safe, and plans to give them to her sons when they turn 10. That book will be the most priceless thing they own.”

In another case, a son reached out to thank Roy after his father — now in early-stage dementia — began carrying his LifeBook around the house as a way to remember his own past.

What Makes LifeBook Different

LifeBook’s strength lies not just in the stories themselves, but in how they’re told. Every team member — from writers and editors to designers — is part of a collaborative process designed to reflect the client’s voice and values. “It’s not about perfection,” Roy said. “It’s about honesty. About preserving the stories you want to leave behind.”

While the company works with many high-achieving, time-strapped individuals, Roy says the biggest surprise clients experience is how joyful the process becomes. “One of our clients insisted on doing all her interviews with a glass of wine,” Roy laughed.

A Legacy of Purpose

At its heart, LifeBook Memoirs is about more than books. It’s about creating purpose at every stage of life. “Purpose isn’t just for the young,” Roy emphasized. “Whether you’re a teenager or 90 years old, you need a reason to get up in the morning.”

He draws a clear connection between storytelling and wellbeing — particularly for older adults battling loneliness, grief, or memory loss. Capturing life stories not only honors the past but strengthens family bonds for generations to come.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait

For anyone thinking about creating a memoir for themselves or a loved one, Roy’s message is clear, “Just do it. Don’t wait until you’re 70 or 80. Start now. Tell your truth. Share your values. And create something that lasts.” To explore creating your own memoir or gifting the experience to someone special, visit: www.lifebookmemoirs.com