We’re looking forward to introducing you to Tollisha Joseph. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Tollisha, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
Mastering the Art of Networking is an incredible opportunity often misunderstood! Many think that simply having a long list of contacts equates to successful networking, but the real magic happens in the meaningful exchanges we create together. I often meet amazing individuals who hesitate to highlight their strengths, leading to missed chances for impactful connections.
At The Official Glue, we’re excited to change this perception! We provide a vibrant space where business owners, corporate leaders, and industry professionals can embrace networking as a chance to build valuable relationships with fantastic outcomes. By concentrating on the unique value we bring to every interaction, we can cultivate connections that truly count, paving the way for more YES worthy opportunities!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Tollisha Joseph, and I am the Founder and CEO of The Official Glue. We are passionate about delivering dynamic speaking engagements, inspiring workshops to elevate your confidence, and transformative corporate training programs focused on retention strategies. As the founder, I have experienced firsthand the impact of having the right network and the importance of developing reciprocity within our professional relationships.
Since 2018, I have been on a mission to change the way networking is perceived—from a performative concept to a valuable tool for productivity. Like many founders, I initially lacked confidence in the value of my ideas and tended to hide behind my brand rather than elevate it through effective networking strategies. On April 1, 2019, I launched a livestream series called “SmallTalk,” recognizing it as an excellent opportunity to showcase my value while building meaningful relationships.
By implementing a customized networking strategy for my business, I have been featured on numerous podcasts, contributed to an award-winning anthology, and received invitations to speak internationally at a women’s conference. Additionally, I have helped multiple businesses expand their networks by teaching them my formula for effective value exchange. This approach not only increases the longevity of professional relationships but also reduces tension and enhances organic marketing among those involved.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
The inability of people to effectively articulate their expectations of others, combined with the belief that we should not have expectations, is a primary factor that breaks relational bonds. The reality is that we are all human, and part of being human involves having expectations. When we try to suppress this natural aspect of our existence, we create an internal conflict that ultimately affects our external relationships. This suppression of expectations can lead to feelings of being taken advantage of, disrespected, and often misunderstood by those around us.
Throughout my professional experiences, I have realized that the most effective way to restore relational bonds is to confront the conflicts within the dynamic directly. Avoiding these issues only exacerbates the problem, as each person harbors unspoken expectations. At this stage, using communication as a tool for conflict resolution becomes essential for the restorative healing process.
In our Circle of Care course training, we explore conflict resolution strategies and how to apply a strategic framework for effective conflict resolution to achieve restorative outcomes.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Embracing the spirit of entrepreneurship means recognizing the challenges I’ve faced along the way. There have been moments when my accounts have dipped into the red, my client pipeline felt as dry as the Sahara, and work commitments seemed to clash with precious family time. I’ve had date nights canceled because of unexpected deadlines, and there were presentations that didn’t unfold as I had hoped. These experiences have truly tested my determination. Yet, I always remind myself to stay focused on my goals and the positive impact that The Official Glue has made in our community.
I’ve learned that setbacks are simply part of the journey, and giving up is never the answer—it only distracts from what truly matters. Instead, when I feel the urge to throw in the towel, I treat it as a valuable signal: a reminder to push through and find creative solutions. Each challenge I face fuels my passion and drive, and gets me excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie my industry tells itself is that trust must be earned. While trust is indeed a hallmark of a healthy relationship, it should not be viewed as a commodity that one earns. Instead, trust is something that needs to be actively maintained. Unfortunately, we often hear more about the necessity of earning trust than about how to sustain it. This misunderstanding has led to a significant number of broken business partnerships, lost collaboration opportunities, and missed investment potential.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
When I started The Official Glue in 2018 and gave myself the title of Networking Strategist, many people didn’t understand what we did, how the business generated revenue, or the relevance of the concept. That has changed significantly over time. Networking has become a major focus within the professional landscape, with marketing experts and brand strategists increasingly engaging with the topic to foster conversations that keep them relevant in the market.
What we understand deeply, but many people do not, is that networking serves as the glue that connects a brand to its market. Most individuals are unaware of how to quantify their network and leverage it strategically to gain high-value business referrals through vetted referral partnerships.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theofficialglue.com
- Instagram: @the_official_glue
- Linkedin: Tollisha Joseph
Image Credits
D.Joseph photography
