Elisa Crye

I attribute my success to the incredible people who have supported and encouraged me throughout my career. My good friend Adriana was instrumental in opening doors for me - she worked for Chef Charlie Trotter as his executive assistant and exposed me to fine dining. My sister-in-law introduced me to the college I attended, and without that, I wouldn't have met Adriana. In New York City, I had many colleagues and friends who inspired me to never give up and encouraged my growth and creativity and my pursuit of the good, true and beautiful.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is to never give up and stay open to the people and experiences that shape your path, because success is rarely achieved alone. I credit much of my career growth and personal development to the encouragement and support of those around me. A close friend first introduced me to the world of fine dining, and that experience exposed me to high-level hospitality environments that ultimately influenced the direction of my career and opened doors I may not have otherwise encountered.

When I was a very young woman, a senior in high-school, my sister-in-law played a meaningful role in expanding my perspective, introducing me to new opportunities and connections that helped me grow both personally and professionally. During my years in New York City, I was continually inspired by friends and colleagues who encouraged my creativity, confidence, and willingness to embrace new experiences. Looking back, I see my success not only as the result of hard work, but also as a reflection of the supportive community that believed in me.

I would certainly encourage everyone to not be afraid to try new things and to never give up on their dream. I often reference the phrase 'grace and grit' Attaining goals takes grit, patience and a lot of discipline. Once a goal is set in your mind, it is very easy to weed out distraction. I knew I wanted to live and work in Europe at some point. I love French food and culture, and wanted that lifestyle. Staying focused on that goal made it easy to keep pursuing and ultimately fulfill that dream.

Women are influential - not only does the hospitality industry benefit, but the world and society as a whole benefit from women. We can't be afraid to use our femininity and natural grace to shape and influence those we encounter.

I will again emphasize and encourage others to never be afraid to try new things. I was open to going wherever the job opportunities took me. I believe in having less, so you can do more - I moved to New York City with two suitcases in 2013 and came back to Chicago in 2024 with 14 boxes. The experiences in between have been life changing. Don't be afraid and trust when you see a good opportunity, because there are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that are worth taking.

At Home Soigne is not just about inspiring up-and-coming women out of high school who are thinking of joining hospitality - I hope to inspire women of all ages on how to better take care of their home and better love their families through thoughtful, curated hospitality beginning within their home.

Hospitality is the act of nourishing one another. This takes root in our homes. Feeding family and enjoying the company of friends need not be expensive or burdensome and it can remind us how good life can be. I hope that At Home Soigné can show that simplicity can give pleasure and result in elegance. I will be honest. Simplicity is not always easy.  It will require discipline, especially in today’s world of boxed meals and easy take out orders. It will require skill, and, most importantly, it will require patience. Remembering that life is a great gift, for some takes time. Once we discover how precious life is, once we become grateful for the gift of life, we effortlessly master the art of living. 

For those who need encouragement in the Home Art of Hospitality, At Home Soigné will help you learn how to do it. 

Returning to the Midwest after years in New York City has given me a renewed appreciation for this region. I realized I had been living in what I call a 'New York bubble,' and now I'm eager to explore and contribute to a market that deserves greater recognition. I was born and raised in the Midwest - my Mother immigrated from Panama after marrying my Father who was in the military. They always instilled in me a love of exploration, culture, and perspective. They taught me that where I am doesn't define who I am, and the pursuit of education is very important. For me, food and beverage was like the first passport opportunity - you can learn so much about a place and region by what the cuisine is. I grew up in a town surrounded by cornfields that had maybe 2,000 people, and when I go home now, the things I've done and seen are so far-fetched to people there that they don't believe it. But there's nothing inherently wrong with that - people are living good lives and providing for their families.

One of my greatest joys is being able to cook for people and set a beautiful table with real linens, real plates, and real silverware, making the ordinary beautiful. Everyone deserves to sit down and have great conversation over a meal. I truly believe that social skills and society are built around a table, sharing what we all need to survive, which is food. There's diplomacy in sharing a meal, but within a family environment, there's also a lot of love. Honestly, I would love to get married, become a mom, and provide those hospitality skills within my home. I'm actually living out that dream right now in a different way than I anticipated, because I'm taking care of my Mother. I'm helping my Mom discover new ingredients and cuisines - she has diabetes, and is a kidney cancer survivor. It has been such a joy to help her create meals that align with her diet. Last summer we planted herbs and she grew romaine lettuce for the first time, which was thrilling for both of us!

My career experiences led me to create At Home Soigne, which most importantly is all about honoring the dignity of the person, no matter what income bracket they're in.