Jessica Stratton

My success is rooted in a blend of intention, discipline, and heart. I’ve learned that excellence isn’t created in big moments — it’s built in the quiet, consistent rituals that shape how you show up every day. I attribute my success to my ability to lead with care, to see possibility where others see routine, and to transform challenges into opportunities for refinement and growth.

I’ve always believed that hospitality is a form of service to others. The way you treat people, the way you honor their space, and the way you make them feel becomes your reputation long before your work does.

Staying committed to that philosophy — even when the path wasn’t easy — has shaped the way I build, serve, and show up for others.

I also credit my success to the systems and structure I’ve built around me.

I’m intentional about creating environments, both physical and operational, that support clarity, consistency, and excellence. Those systems allow the Ella brand to deliver experiences that feel personal, elevated, and emotionally resonant.

Most importantly, I attribute my success to my willingness to grow. Every pivot, setback, and breakthrough has taught me something about resilience, service, and leadership.

I didn’t just build a brand; I built a standard — one that I hope inspires others and one that will continue to carry me forward as I work to leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

The best career advice I ever received was that success isn’t about how fast you move, but how deliberately you move — how well you understand your purpose, your standards, and the people you’re serving.

That advice changed the way I approach my work and the way I lead.

I also learned that the way you treat people will always matter more than any title or milestone. Hospitality, to me, is a form of service to others, and that mindset has shaped every chapter of my career. When you show up with care, consistency, and respect, opportunities have a way of finding you.

Another piece of advice that stayed with me is to build systems that support the life you want, not the life you’re trying to escape. Structure creates freedom. Clarity creates confidence. And when your foundation is strong, your vision can grow without losing its soul.

Most importantly, I was told to stay open — to growth, to feedback, to reinvention. Every pivot, every challenge, every breakthrough has taught me something valuable.

That openness is what allows me to keep evolving, keep serving, and keep building a legacy to be proud of.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to lead with intention and never underestimate the power of how you make people feel. Hospitality is a form of service to others, and when you honor that, you build trust, loyalty, and a reputation that speaks long before you do.

Protect your standards. Don’t let anyone convince you to shrink yourself to fit someone else’s comfort. The quality of your work, your consistency, and your integrity will become your signature — and those who value excellence will always find you. Build systems early. Structure isn’t restrictive; it’s liberating.

When your operations support you, you’re free to create, to grow, and to serve at a higher level. The right systems will carry you through seasons when motivation can’t.

Stay rooted in who you are. This industry can be demanding, and it’s easy to lose yourself in the pace of it all. Your empathy, your intuition, your attention to detail — those are strengths, not weaknesses. Let them guide you.

And finally, give yourself permission to grow. You don’t have to have everything figured out all in day one.

Every challenge will teach you something, every pivot will refine you, and every chapter will prepare you for the next. You’re not just building a career; you’re building a legacy for those around you.

One of the biggest challenges in this industry is the growing gap between service and experience. Many companies focus on speed, volume, and transactional work, which creates an opportunity for brands like mine to stand out by leading with intention, care, and emotional resonance. People aren’t just looking for tasks to be completed — they’re looking for environments that feel safe, supported, and thoughtfully curated.

Another challenge is the lack of structure and consistency across the field. Many service-based businesses operate without strong systems, which leads to burnout, inconsistency, and a decline in quality. For me, that challenge becomes an opportunity: building strong operational foundations allows the Ella brand to deliver boutique-level service at scale without losing its soul.

There’s also a shift happening in how people view their homes and work spaces. They’re no longer just functional; they’re emotional environments. That shift creates space for hospitality-driven brands to redefine what “care” looks like — not just cleaning or organizing, but elevating how a space feels, functions, and supports someone’s life.

Finally, there’s a major opportunity in redefining the narrative around this industry. For too long, it’s been seen as labor instead of lifestyle.

I see a future where hospitality, rituals, and founder-led presence become the standard — where service is respected, elevated, and recognized as a meaningful part of people’s well-being.

In every challenge, there’s room to innovate. And in every opportunity, there’s a chance to build something that lasts.

The values that guide me in both my work and my personal life are intention, service, integrity, and emotional presence. I believe that how you show up — in your relationships, in your work, and in the spaces you touch — says more about you than any title or achievement ever could.

Intention matters to me because I don’t believe in moving through life on autopilot. Whether I’m building systems for the Ella brand or creating rituals in my home, I want every action to have purpose and meaning.

Service to others is at the heart of everything I do. Hospitality, to me, is a form of care — a way of honoring people, their space, and their experience. That value shapes how I lead, how I build, and how I connect with others.

Integrity is non‑negotiable. I believe in doing what’s right even when no one is watching, in protecting my standards, and in honoring my word. Consistency builds trust, and trust builds legacy.

Emotional Presence is another value I hold close. I want people to feel seen, supported, and understood — whether they’re clients, team members, or loved ones. I believe that empathy and intuition are strengths, not soft spots.

Ultimately, the values that guide me are the same ones that shape the Ella brand: care, clarity, consistency, and a commitment to leaving every space — and every person — better than I found them.