Hello 👋🏻 welcome to my profile!

I'm Shahbaz, an award-winning communications marketing strategist with over a decade of experience helping brands achieve remarkable results. From driving $100M+ in share of voice to boosting sales by 120%, I've consistently delivered outstanding outcomes for my clients across consumer, corporate, and non-profit sectors.

As a Vice President of Brand Marketing, I specialize in crafting impactful strategies, executing successful go-to-market planning and campaigns, and managing end-to-end marketing initiatives. 

My work portfolio spans across CPG clients like Sephora, World Gold Council, GAP, GANT, Nautica, United Colors of Benetton, PepsiCo, and Unilever (Dove). 
B2B/ Start-ups: LinkedIn, Google, Microsoft, Accenture, Mobileum.
Non-Profits: Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention, UNICEF, Pride Toronto, The519.

Throughout my career, I've been recognized for my exceptional work, including winning the prestigious Fulcrum Award for the Best CSR Campaign, the 2X Best Brand Communications Campaign, and being named the Best Strategist at Edelman for two consecutive years. I'm proud to have spearheaded teams, tapping into their expertise and empowering them to be better managers. My passion for empowering others and my commitment to excellence have been the driving forces behind my success.

I'm a passionate and versatile professional who believes in the power of uninhibited creativity, measured strategy, and sustained impact. My co-related specialties include: Public Relations, Digital Strategy, Issues & Crisis communication, Brand Reputation Management, Business negotiation, Content development, Communications Marketing Strategy, Retail, CPG and Non-profits consultant.

I hope this gives you a glimpse into who I am and what I do. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to chat more. Thanks for stopping by!

Email: Yourstoryteller.co@gmail.com

Shahbaz Mamdani ️ B̵o̵r̵i̵n̵g̵ ̵c̵a̵m̵p̵a̵i̵g̵n̵s̵

Melissa Coloton Coaching and Consulting

Business Consultant and Coach

Lexitas Pharma Services

Senior Vice President Business Development

Traveling Restoration

Traveling Restoration is a family owned and operated business whose mission is simple, to breath new life into retired furniture. Traveling Restoration sits in the heart of the furniture capital of the world, High Point, North Carolina. There is no better place on earth to find unique, custom painted, pieces of furniture.

Owner

Scout Clinical, part of the Meeting Protocol Family

Executive Vice President Business Development

Executive Director, Regional Commercial Lead 

Senior Sales Optimization Director, Business Development

PRA Health Sciences

Senior Director Business Development

Randstad USA

Senior Staffing Manager and Business Development Associate

Childress Vineyards

Operations/Sales Manager

Catawba College

Athletic Trainer/Instructor/Advisor

North Carolina State University

Assistant Athletic Trainer

When I graduated from college, I felt lost. 

After six years of studying what I thought I'd do forever, my first job paid me $25,000 a year. This didn't pay the bills and made me feel like a loser.

I wanted more from life, so I spent time figuring things out. 

Figuring things out took work. There were lots of ups and downs and tons of frustrations because I felt like I wasted time in school - I had two degrees and no idea what to do with them! 

Ultimately, I had to figure out who I was, where I was, and where I wanted to go. 

This is why I help ambitious young professionals who want to LOVE what they do, find their purpose, and make money with it.

It's what I didn't have but so desperately needed.

I hope to help you, too! And if you want more serious stuff about me, below are my credentials. 

I have a B.S. in Athletic Training, with a Masters in Adult Education, with an Emphasis in Health Professions. I am also a certified health and wellness coach and trained in life coaching under Tony Robbins. 

If you want help figuring out what to do after graduation or just want help growing your career, please click here and sign up for my exclusive content. https://dawn-smoke-6941.ck.page/34011b5888

Melissa Coloton

Decided to get real today.



I was going to write a typical inspirational post.

But decided it wasn’t real, and if I’m going to sit on the LinkedIn inspo throne…

I need to be real.

Otherwise, it’s fake.

And I hate fake.

So, here it is.

This week, I yearned for a steady paycheck.

Like, reeeesaaaalllll bad. 

My mind was so desperate for the safety, security, and comfort. 

And my mind was also afraid.

Lots of fear of:
-the unknown
-not saving enough 
-no work friends
-judgement 

And I need to share …

I’m wildly uncomfortable pursuing my dreams and doing exactly what I preach: pursuing happiness over comfort.

This is not easy, and anyone who says it is….isn’t telling the truth.

I’ve been on my own for two and half years now and I’ve sacrificed:

-my house
-my car
-my steady check
-some of my retirement savings 
-my comfort 

So moments like this are real for any business owner. 

And they’re not talked about nearly enough.

So why am I sharing this?

Because I want to be super clear with my audience: I’m not always rainbows and butterflies.

I don’t want pitty - so I hope that’s not what it seems like - pitty is the last thing I want. 

But what I do want to be clear…

….when I encourage honoring yourself above all else, I want the world to understand that it’s not as easy done as said.

It might take sacrifices…

Your ego will scream on the daily …

You may have to go against society’s standards.

And yes, it might feel incredibly scary and lonely at times.

Want to know why I’m not going to pursue a comfortable job despite how I feel today?

Because every time I think about it, I feel depressed, anxious, and I instantly get emotional.

And this is a great example of knowing yourself, hearing yourself, and pursuing a purpose of fulfillment of your souls desires…

And not fulfillment of the generic, boring, societal expectations that leave you miserable, wanting more, and stuck on the road to regret city. 

So, if you’re thinking of leaving your comfort (whether that’s a job, a relationship, a city, or a lifestyle) this is something you need to know. 

If you’ve already left and you’re questioning everything, I get it. 

And I want to say, you’re not alone.

Hang in there because following what’s internal and not the external is where life’s greatest gifts for you live.

This message is for me as much as it is for you. 

And cheers to being real because let’s be honest, LI is full of the highlight reels! 

Ps, if you’ve made a major change in your life, how did you get through doubting yourself? Leave in the comments to help others with their journey! ⬇️

Life Coach for the Life Sciences || Sales Consultant || Host of The Honor You Podcast & Founder of The Honor You Method

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The unfortunate truth about growing in your career.


At a certain point, the job becomes less about people and all about the interests of the company.

This is a reality I wish I knew years ago - though, I’m not sure it would’ve stopped me from doing what I did - which was climbing till I got to the tippity top, which led to a major tipping point in my physical and mental health.

When I had a team and worked with them to support their success, life was good.

When I had a team AND I was a leader of a company, life was stressful, strained, and heartless.

Heartless just isn't for me.

I can’t think of anything more painful for me than caring less about the people on my team than I do about the company’s success.

I’ll never forget one of my lowest points.

I was talking to an employee through their exit, and I looked down and realized I was about to be wildly late for a very important health appointment (I was getting my back checked out because at the time I could not walk up stairs at night without bear crawling).

So, I had to look that employee in the face and say, I’m so sorry but I need to go when we were in the middle of a crucial conversation that was not easy for them or me.

I got to my appointment, which I was so late for.

They agreed to work me in. 

As I sat there in the waiting room, realizing what I just did to myself and to that employee, I started sobbing. 

What had my life become? 

I couldn’t take care of myself.

I disrespected another human being more than I’d ever care to EVER. 

And all in the name of caring for the company more than I cared for others or myself.
For some, this is heaven. They’d rather care about the company more than a team of people.

And that’s okay – it’s what they’re good at. But for me, I was not good at it. 

This is a prime example of doing what I thought I should do - grow in my career, not realizing what that meant - not realizing what being an executive means.

Are there execs that care about people? 100% yes. But, ultimately, their job is still to care for the company and the company’s success more than an individual’s success and well-being.

And I had to learn the hard way that it just wasn’t for me.

All this to say, be careful with your career. Know yourself very well. If you care deeply for other humans and their wellbeing - there’s a chance executive roles are not for you…..and I want you to know, that’s okay! 

The key is to honor your true heart and desires, stay in a direct manager role, and don’t worry about climbing to the “top” – because it’s absolutely a different ballgame up there.

Life Coach || Sales Consultant || Host of The Honor You Podcast & Founder of The Honor You Method

I wanna quit. 


And more than I care to admit. 

But it’s not for the reasons you’d expect.

It’s not from: 
-daily interuptions from Chad 
-lack of freedom 
-lack of time 
-sitting at a desk all day 
-high stress
-big work loads that don’t stop 
-endless back to back meetings
-wayyyy too many emails 
-being asked for my opinion but the answer never really mattering 
-being undervalued and overworked 

That’s not why I want to quit.

I want to quit because I’m afraid I’ll never “get there”.

I’ll never get to a point where my biz doesn’t feel risky. 

Because when there’s risk, the mind runs wild. 

So - 
Every.
Single.
Day.

I must face the ultimate Chad -my mind… which is full of interruptions, rude comments, fear mongering, and bullying.

Each day she says, “hey, wouldn’t it just be easier if….. _______(fill in blank with any number of anxieties).

How I overcome this is knowing, deeply, that for years, I’ve been asked to lead the way from my heart to a place that doesn’t stress me out every day, one where I get to express through writing, and one where my job is to help others.

And this road isn’t easy - that’s for damn sure.

But it’s easier than me regretting some day what I could’ve done….or never knowing what might have been.

The regret scares me more than any bs nonsense my mind decides to come up with on the daily.

So, I hope it scares you too. Not that I like to lead from fear, but, if you know deep inside you’re not doing what you should be, act. 

Don’t wait. Because regret is heartless. It’ll be sure to be in your face if you don’t move toward what is you, instead of doing what you’re “supposed to do”.

Ps. One of my goals this year was to spend more time at my favorite place with my favorite people - the beach! 🏖️ this was taken this summer for our anniversary, and we spent it at, yep, the beach ☺️🙌🏻. 

Pps - where’s your fave place??

Don’t be like me.


Don’t wait till a breakdown to spot what’s not working and make changes.

Don’t wait to see where you’re dishonoring yourself at every turn.

What I did wrong was that I thought, because I could not “keep up” or do what everyone else seemed to be able to do, that I was inadequate.

So what does an overachieving elder millennial do when they feel inadequate? 

They do …MORE. 

And the “more” put me in a dark place of:
-chronic anxiety
-panic attacks
-struggling to eat at a restaurant because it was too overstimulating
-pinching my leg in big meetings to distract myself and the anxiety I felt
-melting into the couch on weekends because I had nothing left to give

The above did more than just give me symptoms.

It:
-divorced me from my soul
-disconnected me from myself
-made me miss out on friend and family time - because there was nothing in the tank to give
-made me lose myself

And of course, this led to a life that I was just surviving.

Was I doing “well” on the outside? 

100% – and on top of the stressful life I was living, I had a massive dose of guilt on top because there was nothing inherently “wrong” with my life. 

But what I’ve learned is, just because you’re doing well, it does not mean you are immune to mental health issues. And just because you’re doing well does not mean you need to just accept how things are, be grateful, suck it up, and keep going.

When you have symptoms, those symptoms are 100% your inside voice, your heart, your soul sharing something is not right, and things must change. 

And you’re allowed to claim that your current life and situation aren't what you want or what’s working for you. 

So, don’t be like me. Don’t wait to give yourself the relief and love you’re desperate to experience because success without fulfillment isn’t success at all. It’s just an outward persona that the rest of the world accepts but you don’t.  

You’re allowed to have more - you’re allowed to have something different. And you’re allowed to honor yourself in all that you want in your life. 
—-------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi, I’m Melissa, a certified life coach supporting you in discovering what it is you want out of life. I guide you through the exact process that led me to living on my own terms, and in a way that honors who I am and what I want. If you’d like to connect, feel free to grab a free consult in my bio. Let’s get started on you truly living!

When I first got into the lifesciences I was on a high. 


I knew I’d found my place. 

My home. 

An industry I could stay in and be proud of the work I was doing. 

Making people’s lives better mattered to me back then and is still high on the list of what’s fulfilling and purposeful to me today.  

Unfortunately, working in this industry eventually came at a cost.

I don’t wish anxiety or panic attacks on my worst enemy. 


So I had to reset and rethink what I was doing and why I was doing it. 

It wasn’t easy because it’s all I’ve ever known (aside the few years I floundered trying to find where I belonged). 

And what I know now after a lot of soul searching and reconnecting to myself, is, we can’t do anything monumental in a stressed out state. 

Especially a chronically stressed out state.

And we deserve to do work we know is important and have our sanity too. 

So, if you’re someone in this space who’s heart is in it but you’re struggling, let’s chat. 

I’ve found a great place for me now - and not suprisingly:

-my anxiety is gone
-my stress levels nearly non existent 
-my back pain gone
-migraines are limited 
-I have more time and energy for friends and family 

I even had someone tell me, “You look so light.”

It was one of the best compliments I’ve ever received.

I know it’s a stressful environment so I’m not saying you’ll never feel the pressure.

But what I am saying is, how you deal with it matters.

How you support yourself matters.

And if you’re going to do work that matters, you deserve to ensure YOU matter as well.

Because what’s the point of doing work that matters if you can’t be present in your life outside of that work? 

If I can help, just DM me. Let’s chat! 
 
Ps - this once New Yorker is just trying to survive the elements this past weekend 😂. Safe to say I won’t be moving back from the south any time soon. ⬇️
—————————————————
Hi 👋🏻 I’m Melissa. A certified life coach who’s spent 15+ years in the life sciences in high pressure roles. I’ve learned the art of honoring myself so that I can do my purpose without all the stress and the strain. And now I teach others how to do the same. If you want to explore how to support yourself and still do amazing work, ping me here on LI or feel free to email me for a connect. info@melissacoloton.com

Being on social media is so weird.


For me, it’s so weird because I’m such an in-person kinda gal.

I love the energy exchanged in face-to-face get-togethers.

I like to see how someone reacts.

I like to listen and make eye contact.

I like to feel the warmth between me and someone else.

But online?

You just post..and … someone might comment, like, etc., but that’s never really felt.

Which, for me, makes it weird.

On social media platforms, there’s a major lack of reciprocity.

So why keep doing it?

Because:
➡️ it might help a person who is silently suffering 

➡️it helps me have somewhere to put my thoughts 

➡️its helping me build leverage – leverage that I never, ever, EVER want to give to someone else (AKA aligning everything I say and do for a company that pays me, yes, but won’t have my back as I can)

So, if you’re out there giving it a go too, I see you, and I know the pain of sending something and getting crickets.

Keep going, my friend — it is indeed worth it despite it being so freaking weird 🙂.

PS. What are your thoughts? Is it weird for you or totally normal?

I hope all my US friends have a lovely Thanksgiving! ❤️🦃🍁🍽

You’ve lived your entire life doing what you were supposed to do.


And yet?

You’re not happy.

Toooo many people are living a life they just simply don’t like.

And it pains me.

On top of the unhappiness?


They’re stuck too.

Why? Well, because they did what they were supposed to do.

They got a good job.

They bought a house they technically could afford but not own for 30 years.

They bought the car they thought was cool and would make them happy.

Alllll the things and still - not happy. And now? The finances around all the things keeps them stuck in all those things. 

So the question I have for you is:

How long?

How long are you going to keep doing what you’re supposed to do even though you’re not happy?

I hope it’s not a second longer because you deserve happiness! 

It’s really the only thing in life to pursue! 

—————————————————
Hi 👋🏻 I’m Melissa - a certified life coach that’s had all the things I thought I wanted and found out the hard way that those things don’t actually make you happy. What I know now is life isn’t about them it’s about me. It’s about pursuing what my heart desires and that’s how my North Star. And I want it to be yours too! DM me to set up a consult today - or, click link in bio!

Growing up, I did not have much.


My mom had a GED.
My dad was a farmer/blue-collar worker.
My town had fewer than 2000 people.
My graduating class was less than 100 students.

As circumstances had it, my little brain decided that money = happiness.

Without money? = no peace, no happiness, and lots and lots of struggle.

At a super young age, around 12, I was asking how I could make money.

I would babysit till I could actually work, and at 15, I started bussing tables, at 16 I was water park working and that was that…I’ve had a job ever since. 

This drive was something I always admired about myself.

Till the drive drove me into the ground - not to sound cliché, but it really did. I had it all, and yet I was also plagued with:
-chronic anxiety
-chronic indigestion
-debilitating back pain
-migraines
-and extremely low energy for “free time.” 

When your success is impressive, but your health and wellbeing aren’t, something needs to change.

I refused this fact for a lonnnnnggggggg time. 

But after six years of knowing I had to make a change, and I could not keep going like this - I finally gave in and started living a life that was aligned.

Now? I am hardly ever stressed — I sleep well, real well. My migraines are limited, my back pain is gone, my indigestion is nonexistent, and my overall mental health feels like my brain gets to take a warm bath every day. 

Want to make a change? Click the link in my bio for a free consultation on what needs to change and how to get going TODAY! You deserve something more than a bunch of ailments — that’s not what life is all about, friend.

I want to chat about something incredibly difficult for me. 


And it applies to both my corporate career and owning my own business.

I’ve struggled knowing when to take advice from the gurus and when to do it my way.

This is something that’s not talked about nearly enough.

Guidance is essential – it’s so critical to our overall success in life.

Learning what others have done to get ahead is just smart.

It saves us a lot of time and helps us know where to start. 

But it also trips us up.

It trips us up because we do what someone else has done, and that thing does not align with us.

Then we pick our head up along the way and wonder why we feel so “off”.

We’re: 
- exhausted
- ”just surviving”
- struggling with sleep

…wondering where we went “wrong” when we were just pushing forward our dream and doing it the way someone said would “work.”

What’s the answer to this?

To be honest - I don’t know LOL. 

Because we do need guidance, and getting it from someone who’s been where we want to go can be quite literally a game-changer.

So all I can say is - if you’ve got goals – don’t forget to check in with yourself.

Learn quite literally to ask yourself - does this feel right for me, despite what the expert is telling me to do?

Then LISTEN to yourself - do you feel tension in your body? 

Do you feel sad or “off” with the “blueprint” someone is offering you?

Rather than just blindly taking someone’s advice – see it, use it for good, but do NOT forget to actually check in with yourself and see if it’s a fit for you. 

Or at the very least, put your twist on it.

Otherwise, you’ll pursue your desires and succeed  – but then end up so frustrated and burned out, AND super confused about why.

PS, What are your thoughts? Have you ever followed advice that turned out to be totally wrong for you? Comment below! ⬇️

The word "rich" has multiple definitions.


In my 20s and some of my 30s, it = make as much money as possible.

The problem?

That drive for money overrode my understanding of what I wanted in life.

Which led to a major reconciliation and questioning it all.

This is scary (if you're there now, I want to say, you'll get through it, friend, trust me. It may not feel like it, but you will!)

Now, my definition is:
-As much time as possible doing what I love
-As much energy as possible
-As much simplicity as possible
-As much freedom as possible

If you define rich in a way that does not honor you and your soul's true desires, you'll likely end up successful, but not happy.

Unfortunately, I had to learn this the hard way.

How about you? What does rich mean to you?

[Sales Saturday] 


What percentage of your sales reps hit their targets YoY?

Most organizations run in the 75/25 range.

75% don’t hit target 
25% do hit target 

The concern is obvious.

You have a handful of reps that carry the company’s quota.

If this is you, my next question is, what’s your best rep doing that your worst is not?

Unfortunately most can’t answer that question.

And if they do it’s anecdotal - and depends on who you ask.

The solution?

Implementation of a force multiplier.

1. Outline core competencies 

2. Align specific behaviors 

3. Deploy a 360 review of each rep

4. Compile the data 

5. Provide rep and manager with a customized report  

6. Create a custom development and coaching plan for each rep 

7. Collate data so you can see team deficiencies then map your team trainings throughout the year 

Rinse and repeat every 6 months.

Now your bottling your best reps competencies and associated behaviors.

There’s no longer a question mark on what your best reps do.

You have a roadmap for other reps to follow.

This force multiplies instead of accepting that only 25% of reps will hit quota each year.

It turns your 75/25 into 75 hitting and 25 not (or better)! 

____________________________
Hi 👋🏻 I’m Melissa - sales consultant that gives you the tools to stop wasting time and money on underperformance and instead, force multiplies your sales team. If you’re struggling to have a sales force that’s hitting their targets, book a free consultation - link in bio. Or email me at info@melissacoloton.com.

[Sales Saturday]: Are you missing sales due to a lack of curiosity?


My husband and I drive semi-gas guzzlers.

So, we decided to sell my car.

I spent a whole weekend detailing it, getting it ready for pics.

Then I posted and it and yay! I got a few hits and the best one was through a dealership.

The whole process was smooth.

One step after the other - no hiccups.

Except for one major error.

THEY DIDNT TRY TO SELL ME A CAR! 

I was literally sitting smack in the middle of their showroom, not a single person said, “what are you buying next?”

On top of it, they asked me to take less for my car due to needing new rear brakes.

An even more perfect opportunity to say hey, take less as a trade in and I’ll give you deal on a car in the lot.

But, nothing.

Not even an ounce of an attempt to sell me.

Wow.

Listen….

This isn’t rocket science, and even though I’ve been in sales for a long long time, I don’t consider myself a guru.

I consider myself good at sales because I make sense.

But you don’t need a guru or a rocket scientist to tell you, if a potential customer is sitting right across from you, at the very least:

BE. CURIOUS.

Just a few questions and they would’ve discovered I had zero back up plan.

Yes I’m carless right now.

And could’ve had an amazing moment of service by saying, “what are you getting next”? 

This didn’t even have to be sales, it could/should have been service. 

It would’ve saved me a lot of headache to drive off with a car instead of being carless. 

Anyway, don’t be so sucked into your process you miss a stupidly obvious sale.

And always, always, be curious and service oriented  - especially when a potential customer is sitting right in front of you. 

Do you have any stories of a similar situation??

taplio

The Battle

Shahbaz Mamdani ️ B̵o̵r̵i̵n̵g̵ ̵c̵a̵m̵p̵a̵i̵g̵n̵s̵

Melissa Coloton

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taplio

The Battle

Shahbaz Mamdani ️ B̵o̵r̵i̵n̵g̵ ̵c̵a̵m̵p̵a̵i̵g̵n̵s̵

Melissa Coloton

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Melissa Coloton's LinkedIn Performance

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