Where Strategic Thinking Meets Extraordinary Execution
About Vanessa
Whether she’s advising C-suite leaders or rolling up her sleeves on site, Vanessa Murray delivers experiences that balance vision, timeline, and ROI—for results that resonate.
Vanessa Murray is the founder of TAKE Success LLC, a boutique consultancy specializing in experiential marketing, brand strategy, and leadership development. Whether she’s advising executives in the C-suite or rolling up her sleeves to execute high-impact events, Vanessa is known for her ability to balance strategic vision, tight timelines, and budget with precision—delivering extraordinary results that elevate brands and experiences alike.
Her career began in Seattle during the height of the dot-com era, where she rose to Senior Brand Manager, leading go-to-market strategies for companies like VacationSpot.com (acquired by Expedia), Vicinity (acquired by Microsoft), and OnAir (formerly Tenzing Communications). Since then, she’s expanded her expertise across industries—advising financial clients, leading acquisition marketing for SaaS firms, directing national event programs for the National Association of REALTORS®, and earning her NC real estate license. As a certified Travel Advisor with Fora, she also curates elevated travel experiences and retreat accommodations for corporate teams, couples and families—bringing her signature detail-driven approach to destinations around the world. Her passion for coaching and brand growth dates back to her time at Appalachian State University, where she was a member of the Leadership Links program and helped organize the university’s first Women’s Leadership Conference in 1994.
In 2014, Vanessa founded TAKE Success to help more companies, entrepreneurs, and executive teams bring their vision to life through strategic experiences and transformative leadership offerings. When she’s not designing events or retreats, she’s a proud wife, #boymom of three, rescue pup wrangler, and Chief Fun Organizer behind @vemurray on Instagram.
Why TAKE?
TAKE Success, LLC was founded in Seattle, Washington, on June 24, 2014, by me—Vanessa Murray. At the time, I was navigating a major life transition: just 120 days after returning from maternity leave with my third son, I found myself on the RIF list during an acquisition by Zillow Group. Rather than let that moment define me, I saw an opportunity to build something on my own terms—something grounded in experience, purpose, and heart.
I had spent years building enterprise partner marketing strategies and producing high-impact events that drove results. I knew those skills were scalable—and needed. Within twenty days, I sold a few shares of stock I had earned, formed my first LLC, and officially launched TAKE Success.
The name is rooted in what matters most to me: my family. Each letter in “TAKE” represents the middle initial of someone in our family—starting with my husband and first son, who share the name Thomas, and ending with me, Vanessa Elizabeth. And “Success”? That part came naturally. Because in life, in business, and in motherhood, we’re all reaching for it.
On the day TAKE Success was incorporated, my then six-year-old son Carson said it best:
“We want to take success, Mommy.”
Well said, son. We still do.
