Victoria Tollossa, MBA

Director of Marketing 

Illume

Founder & CEO

Mitchell Sandler LLC

Centre Law & Consulting, LLC.

Marketing Manager

First Edventures

Founder

IDL Entertainment Group

Co-Founder

Victoria Tollossa is a two-time founder, Grammy-nominated storyteller, and the creative force behind Illume — a personal branding agency helping executives and mission-driven entrepreneurs amplify their influence and visibility.

Blending business acumen and brand strategy, Victoria has helped clients secure funding from top firms, attract high-level talent, close multi-million-dollar deals, grow powerful social media platforms, earn industry awards, and land major speaking opportunities — not by chasing attention, but by owning their narrative.

Her work has been featured in Entrepreneur, Inc., Fortune, and Business Journals. She’s collaborated with both Fortune 500 brands and high-growth startups, including high-profile clients like Target, Ford, Seventh Generation and Bravo’s Real Housewives.

A trusted voice on storytelling, social media strategy, and the future of personal branding, Victoria is a frequent speaker, strategic advisor, and a fierce advocate for building businesses that reflect both purpose and power.

Victoria Tollossa

15: I recorded my first album.
16: Called Jive Records everyday for months (literally).
17: Got rejected by Jive Records.
18: Got into an Ivy League school, moved to NYC, heart of the music industry. 
19: Recorded more song, networked all over the city. The hustle was on.
20: Got rejected by everyone. Again.
21: I continued to practice, sing and dance... Every. Single. Day.
22: Met a big-time producer who gave me my first break.
24: Recorded more music, pitched all the record labels in NYC. This was gonna be it!
25: Got rejected by everyone — “We don’t get it, it’s just too different.”
26: Of course now I was now deemed “old” for the music industry, so I wrote for songs for others.
27: Moved to LA. Alone. 4+ writing sessions a week, grinding.
27: Launched an experiential marketing agency. A new lane.
28: Wrote a song that would later be nominated for a Grammy. Finally!
28: Also wrote 100+ songs that would never see the light of day. 
29: Got burnt out. Industry chewed me up and spit me out. Got out with low self esteem. Negative attitude. Totally jaded. 
29: Experiential marketing agency took off — 140+ team, huge clients.
30: Got pregnant and had my son.
31: Became a single mom. Everything changed.
32: Forced to exit the agency. 
33: Moved back east, lived with my mom. Did what’s best for my son.
34: Went back to school, got my MBA, moved out on my own.
35: Got a “real job” at a law firm.
36: Pandemic hit. Everything flipped again.
37: The struggle was real.
38: The struggle became even more real.
39: Quit corporate. Started a personal branding agency. A new chapter.
41: Scored a $10 million deal, sold the company and rode off into the sunset in my Maserati.

Ok… just kidding.
(About the last part, that is.)

We love to hear stories that resolve neatly at the end.
But real life doesn’t do that.

If you were hoping for a neat lesson, here it is:

The real win is NOT quitting.
It’s betting on yourself when the world says no.

So if you’re in the middle of your mess, your setback, your “I don’t know what’s next”…

Keep going.
The next chapter is still yours to write.

CEO @ Illume | Grammy-nominated Storyteller & Personal Branding Strategist for Executives

"Why do I need a personal brand? I'm not an influencer."
I hear this from execs all the time.

Ok fine, you're not trying to become TikTok famous.

But, I'm pretty sure you are trying to close deals faster, build credibility, and shorten the path to yes.

That’s exactly where a strong personal brand works in your favor.

A visible, authentic presence online creates familiarity.

Before a prospect ever meets you, they’ve already:

• seen your posts
• absorbed your insights
• connected with your story
• formed an opinion about who you are

So when you do get in the room, the heavy lifting is already done.
And the sales process accelerates.

Here’s how it shows up:

✅ Less time spent on introductions — your reputation gets there first
✅ Higher credibility — your content signals expertise
✅ Faster trust-building — people buy from people they feel they know
✅ Lower resistance — prospects are already warmed up
✅ Better-quality conversations — you’re treated like a peer, not a vendor
✅ Shorter sales cycles — recognized leaders get prioritized
✅ Stronger pricing power — trust increases perceived value

Personal branding is about leverage.

It reduces friction, increases trust, and drives revenue.

So if you’re a CEO, founder, or senior leader?

It’s time to step into the spotlight.
Share your insights.
Tell your story.
Build the connection before the first call.

Your bottom line will thank you.

Taking Your Stage

How can we work together:

Digital course or 1 : 1 Coaching for leaders looking for high-level support. We will work together to refine and tailor your message to your audience to accelerate your success.

Leadership Speech Coach

KEITH Engineering Design

Keith Engineering Design, Inc. is a full-service Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire-Protection Engineering company.
With my communication background, I direct new business development to increase revenue and negotiate strong business deals.

Director Of Marketing And Business Development

Bradley University

Bradley University is a private university. 
Using my communication skills, I taught students how to speak confidently, target their audience, and structure their speeches in a way that resonated with their audience.

Speech Instructor

Highland Community College

Highland Community College serves the needs of the community.

It is my personal mission to help leaders, emerging leaders, and politicians transform their nerves and vague messaging into clear, confident, and unforgettable presentations.

What you say matters; how you say it matters just as much. 

Have you ever experienced that uncomfortable feeling of dry mouth and clammy hands right before giving a speech?

Have you struggled to find the right words to connect with your audience or have trouble landing your message in a succinct way?

Are you tired of dreading your speeches?

If so, I can help!

Being able to effectively communicate is not just a “nice to have” skill -- it’s a requirement for any leader. It makes or breaks your legacy. Done effectively, it can improve morale, set the tone for the company, and inspire action among your employees. 

I have two areas of expertise: helping leaders speak confidently to stakeholders and business development. I enjoy connecting businesses to opportunities.

I have worked with many leaders, just like you. My proven techniques help you get to the root of your performance anxiety and overcome it! As an award winning speaker, my signature course Writing Influential Speeches: A Guide for Highly Effective Professionals is designed to help you feel confident speaking so you can increase employee engagement, inspire your leaders, and increase profits. 

Whether you are practicing for a specific high-stakes event or seeking overall professional development to become a more effective leader, I will meet you where you are and personalize a plan to meet your public speaking goals. 

I offer a digital course, 1:1 and group coaching for leaders and their teams. I get to the root of their public speaking fears and cover advanced public speaking techniques so that my clients have unforgettable speeches.

My clients tell me:
“Melissa is not only an expert in speaking skills, but she is an expert in how to coach, teach and train as well.”

“Using Melissa’s coaching and suggestions allowed me to speak more confidently and boldly”

It’s my mission to help leaders overcome performance anxiety and use advanced public speaking techniques to get their message heard. 
 
Send me a message here on LinkedIn to chat!
Email: hello@takingyourstage.com
LinkedIn Business Page: Taking Your Stage

*Public Speaking Coach
*Advanced Public Speaking Workshops and Training
*Leadership Communication
*Speaker

Melissa Entzminger, MA

I Almost Let Fear Steal My Big Break...


I was standing backstage at a leadership event, clutching my notecards so tight my knuckles went white.

They’d just called my name.

And my first thought wasn’t “Let’s go.”

 It was, “Maybe someone else should do it.”

I had built a career helping others find their voice, yet in that moment, mine was whispering.

I stepped out anyway. 

My voice shook. 

My heart pounded. 

But by the third sentence, the room leaned in and I realized something powerful:

Confidence isn’t the absence of fear.

 It’s the decision to go anyway and let your preparation catch up to your courage.

That talk opened doors I never imagined.

 Now I help leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers do the same, communicate with command, stay calm in high-stakes moments, and lead with clarity that moves people.

Because the next room you walk into could change everything.

 But only if you show up for it.

 Ready to stop playing small in rooms you were born to lead?

 That’s where I come in.

When’s the last time you said yes to something before you felt ready?

Award-Winning Speaker | Communication Strategist

Have you ever been in a high-stakes moment, an interview, a presentation, a conversation that mattered, and suddenly your mind just… froze?

It’s one of the most painful human experiences.

 Especially when you’re smart, capable, prepared… and your brain goes silent.

Most people think freezing means they’re not confident enough.

 But that’s not what’s really happening at all.

If you’ve ever felt your throat tighten, your words disappear, or your mind go blank when the pressure rises… you’re not broken. You’re human.

And there’s a reason this happens, a scientific one, and a way to reverse it in just a few seconds.

I break it down in this short video.

 If this is something you’ve struggled with, this will make so much sense.

Your voice deserves to stay with you when the moment matters.

Check out the video!

Do you think high-stakes communication should be taught more in schools and workplaces?

Sometimes the best leadership lessons come from a quiet moment in a pile of leaves.

Lucy, my dog, barreled into the leaves like it was the greatest discovery of her life, no hesitation, no overthinking, no “what’s next” on her mind.

 And for the first time all week, I stopped too.

 Just for a minute.

 Just long enough to remember what presence actually feels like.

This weekend, she reminded me of something I forget far too often:

 We move faster, think clearer, and show up stronger when we give ourselves permission to pause.

As high-achievers, we’re trained to sprint, hit the next milestone, prep the next talk, close the next deal.

 But confidence isn’t built in the rush.

It’s built in the reset.

In the deep breath.

 In the moment of joy.

 In the reminder that who we are matters just as much as what we produce.

 A 60-second pause is enough to pull your brain out of survival mode and back into strategic thinking.

 Here’s how:

 Exhale longer than you inhale.

 That one shift activates your parasympathetic nervous system, settles your body, and immediately sharpens your presence.

So here’s your nudge for the week:

 Find your “leaves moment.”

 Refuel. 

Reconnect. 

Regain your fire.

Your next high-stakes room will feel the difference.


 What’s one small pause you can give yourself this week that might change how you show up?

Ever watched someone go from doubting every word to owning the room and you could literally see the confidence click in?


A few months ago, I worked with a leader who froze every time she had to speak in front of executives. 

Brilliant. 

Experienced. 

But her body didn’t seem to know that.

Her heart would race, her hands would shake, her voice would tighten.

 She said, “I just want to feel confident before I speak.”

Here’s the science: You don’t wait to feel confident, you act your way into it.

 According to Harvard researcher Amy Cuddy, our physiology can change our psychology.

 A steady breath slows the stress response.

 Strong posture raises testosterone (power) and lowers cortisol (stress).
 Your body can signal your brain that you’re safe and ready.

So we practiced:

 1️⃣ Two slow exhales before speaking (to calm the vagus nerve).
 2️⃣ Power posture for 2 minutes.
 3️⃣ A grounding phrase that shifted her focus from fear to service: “They’re not judging me, they’re learning from me.”

The next week, she delivered her presentation with poise. Not because the nerves disappeared, but because she led with her breath, not her fear.

What’s one small ritual that helps you feel calm or grounded before a high-stakes moment?

If you want help feeling confident for your next high-stakes moment, send me a DM, I'd love to help!

I woke up today grateful and a little amazed....


Not because everything is perfect (it never is).

But because life has this beautiful way of reminding us that progress doesn’t always show up as big wins.

Sometimes it’s the tiny moments:

* A conversation that makes you feel seen.

* An idea that suddenly clicks.

* A client who sends a message that makes your whole day.

* A quiet “I can do this” you didn’t even realize you said out loud.

Those little sparks?

They add up.

They carry you.

They’re proof you’re moving forward, even when it doesn’t feel dramatic.

Today, I’m choosing to celebrate the small wins, the ones that are easy to overlook but actually fuel everything else.

So here’s to joy, momentum, and the magic hiding in everyday moments. 

Your turn: What’s a small win you’re celebrating today, even if it seems tiny?

Some weeks stretch you. Some weeks strengthen you. And some weeks quietly remind you who you’re becoming.


A client told me recently, “I wish confidence felt natural. I’m tired of feeling like I have to earn it every day.”

And I felt that in my chest.

Because here’s the truth no one admits on LinkedIn:

Confidence isn’t a spark you’re born with, it’s a story you rewrite every single day.

It’s the moment you show up even after the self-doubt spiral.

 It’s the breath you take before the hard conversation.

 It’s choosing not to shrink when your brain is begging you to play small.

 It’s letting yourself be seen… even when you’re scared someone might not clap.

We don’t talk enough about the quiet bravery behind leadership:

 The internal negotiations.

 The pep talks in the car.

 The “Okay, here we go” right before the Zoom camera turns on.

Neuroscience tells us we can literally rewire our confidence, that our brain changes every time we choose courage over comfort.

 Every brave act becomes a breadcrumb on the path back to ourselves.

So if this week felt heavy…

 or long…

 or like you were holding yourself together with coffee and determination…

Here’s your reminder:

You didn’t make it through by accident.

You made it through because you’re resilient.

You’re growing.

You’re becoming someone future-you will thank.

As you head into the weekend, I’ll leave you with this: What’s one thing you’re proud of yourself for this week, big or small?

 Answer if you want, or just let yourself feel the win. You earned it!

Most negotiations don’t break because of price.



They break because people start protecting themselves instead of solving the problem together.

Here’s one shift that changes the entire tone of a conversation:

Instead of: “I can do X.”
Try: “Here’s how we can get you to [your goal].”

Same offer.

 Completely different psychology.

This approach comes from Harvard’s research on principled negotiation, where success isn’t about pushing harder.

It’s about aligning interests, not arguing positions.

And if you want to use this style of negotiation in your next client call, team meeting, or partnership conversation, I’m teaching it tomorrow at:

🎤 Talk to Win: The Art & Strategy of Negotiation

 Hosted by the New York Public Library

You’ll learn how to:

- Replace pressure with curiosity
- Build trust through collaborative language
- Handle objections without shrinking your value
- Use a repeatable negotiation framework based on Harvard principles

If you’ve ever ended a conversation thinking:

 I should have said that…

 or

 Why did I agree to those terms?

 This session is absolutely for you!

It’s free to attend, and we’re keeping it interactive so you can apply what you learn right away.

* Happening tomorrow

 (Link + time in comments)

If you want to negotiate with more clarity, calm, and confidence and create outcomes where both sides win, I’d love to have you there!

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Victoria Tollossa

Melissa Entzminger, MA

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The Battle

Victoria Tollossa

Melissa Entzminger, MA

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

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