Meet Tollisha Joseph | Networking Strategist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tollisha Joseph and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tollisha, do you disagree with some advice that is more or less universally accepted?
The one-piece of conventional advice that I disagree with most is that failure is a part of our journey towards success. Failure to me equals a lack of effort, if you don’t try then you have failed. I believe that preparation and proper planning is the formula for success. Within my profession of developing professional networking strategies, I have found that many people are unsuccessful because of the lack of preparation and planning around the activity.

Business isn’t an easy space to navigate, so it’s important to build a solid foundation by developing a transferable message that supports your business objectives. If you plan for the right support to move the needle forward in your business and do the work required to get results, failure won’t be an outcome for you

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
“The Official GLUE” is a consultant agency that is driven by the heartbeat of human connection. I’ve transformed my frustration around professional networking into a successful business that teaches individuals how to master the art of effective networking and leverage it to increase visibility and revenue for their businesses. I’ve created success by teaching small and midsize businesses the art of effective networking through live course trainings, group workshop sessions, and professional speaking engagements.

Getting to the YES side of my business hasn’t been an easy journey and has been met with some challenging moments along the way. Most of the difficulties were around my mindset. Running a business is a scary endeavor alone, not to mention running one that is disrupting an outdated practice and flipping it on its head. I learned quickly that being an effective networker pays the dividends of more control over my personal network and the added benefits of being chased after by prospects, not the other way around. I’ve also learned how to leverage my mentors, partners, and clients to increase my reach by creating strategic wins for both sides of the table. Over the past five years, I’ve practiced what a preach and have taught others to do the same.

My mission is to teach individuals how learning the art of effective networking is an investment. The better you are at mastering this skill, the more YES‘s you’ll receive within your business. The Official Glue isn’t just a brand, it’s a lifestyle. I am proud to be the CEO of a company that is developing a new way to network that is centered around building lasting relationships, articulating our expectations, resolving conflicts without fear, and engaging with one another for the purpose of professional development.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Seeing that my time in Arizona was short I was able to hit up a lot of great eateries while visiting Phoenix for work. There are a few places I would recommend to those who are traveling to the area and want to grab some good food at a great price.

My hands-down top pick would be Speedy Street Taco although they don’t have a dine-in option this place is offering the best street tacos in the city. If you are looking for an authentic taco experience this place is definitely a must.

For those who are looking for something a little more upscale, Centrico is a spot to put on your to-do list. The drinks were amazing I got the Chipotle Margarita “Deelish”, and the tacos were top-notch. I actually had to find some chipotle seasoning to bring home after eating a taco for here. I have to say that Arizona has the best chipotle I have ever tasted so make sure you find some to bring back as a souvenir.

Next on the list of must is the Daily Dose Kitchen and Bar located in downtown Scottsdale. It was highly recommended by the locals and I can say with confidence that it has earned all of the recommendations. Pro tip: you want to get there early because the line for this pot of goodness can get lengthy quickly.

While you are in the area you might want to take a stroll around downtown Scottdale, it’s such an eclectic area with a wide variety of shopping and local favorites. It’s a great way to spend time and get a great sense of what the city has to offer for those who are visiting for business. I was surprised to find out that Square headquarters is located in the downtown Scottdale area.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have a few people that deserve a shoutout and dedication for helping me along my entrepreneurial journey. First on my list would be my husband and hyper-talented photographer, Darrell Joseph, he is the master behind the amazing shots featured in this article and the majority of the shots used on my socials. He is also the one that deserves the credit for my logo designs (YES, I have an entire logo suite.) I know that having his amazing talent in conjunction with my mastery of networking and communication has elevated my visibility and has gained me many amazing opportunities such as traveling to the amazing state of Arizona.

Secondly, I would love to shout out Monica Vanlandingham, She is an expert social media Strategist and an amazing supporter of my business. Late last year I was given the opportunity to co-host The Ultimate Creators Workshop with her at The Reunion Stay. It was an intimate yet life-changing experience that I am forever grateful that I was able to be a part of.

Lastly, I would love to shout out my newest collaborative partner The ACE Collective. This is a female-owned and operated organization based in Canada that focused on creating thriving businesses and healthy lives. I am honored to be a facilitator for this amazing organization as well as a keynote speaker at this year’s annual RISE summit.

Website: thenetworkingstrategist.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_official_glue/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theofficialglue/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GLUELLC

Image Credits
Darrell Joseph of D. Joseph Photography