We had the good fortune of connecting with Dean Ellis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dean, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?

The start of ELLIS ESQ, is a colmunatioun  of a few stand out moments in my life.
1) Mommy was extremely artistic , if she saw something she could make it , she was a baker, cake decorator, arts and crafty but above all she was a seamstress making bridal gowns, dresses, suits etc, and in every house we moved to, her first question was always….where will her sewing room be? I spent countless hours helping and learning all of her crafts since I too was extremely artistic.  It all came pretty easy to me.
2) While styling for a magazine publication, myself and my former business partner of Phillip Ellis Styling had to pull from a local custom suit store, I was overly excited and remember asking about the process etc and you know .. what if I wanted a suit? … I was quickly met with a , run down letting me know that they only served a particular clientele , both regarding status and bank account and thus I prob was not in the right echelon for them.  I remember that day saying… I think everyone should be able to have the custom suit experience and was pretty determined that I one day would do so.
3) Lastly mommy had asked once, with my personality who I talked to when I needed to. I told her I journaled and encouraged her to start doing the same or at least something along those lines.  In one of our last discussions as he spoke about her life, and some regrets , not being able to have her own clothing store came up.  I remember saying that day…. I am going to do this for you.. taking what I was doing as a hobby to a full time career.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

There is so much I would love to share. One I think of often is  ( Stay true to you, and to the only one who will always stay true to you )  We are all born with gifts / tools.  And Usually tools or gifts are used  to help make something happen , or make someone happy.   If you take YOUR gifts and tools and begin to use them you will usually find the same…  What you are doing will usually be easier, and it will have more impact on those IT comes in contact with.   My advise is follow your heart, then use what you have..( your gifts / tools ) and If you do, I really don’t think you can go wrong.  But the moment you try to be someone else, or do something else , (not saying its impossible)  but you can always expect alot more PUSH back….

What Makes us different?  Well thats easy,  my clients will tell you from our initial consultation that, I am extremely passionate about what I do, you will hear it once I start speaking and it gets worse once I start designing.    I am not designing pieces that are trendy and in style , but I creating pieces that are the best piece for you, taking into consideration to your body, size, skin tone, lifestyle with a heavy focus on proportions.. Not all styles or trends are for you

I do not do this because its , fashionable. Kewl or because it makes a lot of money, I do this because I LOVE WHAT I DO.  Seeing a clients eyes light up or hearing their voice grow with excitement  as I describe what we are about to create is the magic,
Secondly they will also come in contact with a real person , Society along with other companies like to create this image that is simply not true for most, not realistic nor relatable.  NO…We don’t all sit around all day in dress clothes sipping cognac while smoking a cigar… It’s an image that I simply refuse to follow.  Im a regular man who likes a gin based drink…and Im normally found in shorts and Tshirt ( well not while with clients but ..you get the point ) lol
Lastly I only speak the truth, I don’t tell my clients what they want to hear , but prefer to help educate my clients they have seen, and then we educate them with what is best for THEM, using all or none of their initial ideas .  Our clients dont just look good but they understand WHY they look good.
The Path has not not been easy but is grounded by persistence, to be 100% honest ive never really given it thought before. Because I simply wake up every day with the same mindset, how can I make ELLIS ESQ grow, and better.  Failing is not an option so I dont really give it thought.
There are always lessons in life , so once you learn  a lesson be sure to  put things in place ensuring you never have to learn it again.
Lessons I would forward to others would be
1) It’s about the back office work more so than the final product or service. Take the time to set a great foundation .  Quietly learn from other business, and act like a customer of your own product, where would you be frustrated etc set a good foundation , its always easier to build on something solid.
2) Believe in what you are doing and WHY you are doing it , those two will work like a blue print and when situations etc take you off course they will bring you back into focus.  They also normally wont allow you to give up and work as that constant push we all need daily.
3) Mommy would say with every exhale is a chance to be new … and so I say things happen, nothing and no one is perfect , your business is NOT YOU , if it is not doing well that does not mean you are not good , it just needs some time and some inner workings coupled with a lot of love and passion to grow.
lastly , sorry about the parental quotes but as we all have heard, “ show me your friends and I will tell you who you are “. An amazing circle is necessary , I am not saying alot of ppl it may just be two .. but have ppl who at times can be there to listen and be that ear that you need, then at times be the sound counsel to help maybe with ideas and concepts you have. And lastly those who are strong enough to hold you up when you feel weak and like you don’t want to do it anymore. They might be the same ppl or all different ppl but those characters aren’t needed IN life and IN business.
What do I want the world to know about our brand?   Thats easy … .that we are HERE … here to elevate people to becoming or finally seeing & acknowledging their very best selves.
I want them to know that there are NO special requirements, simply come as you are, how ever you are and who ever you are and we will listen , educate and together design & curate a piece made just for you.
I want them to know we are real, not just a middle man selling suits but a designer , tailor , pattern maker , stylist ..so yo are in great hands.
I want them to know that we design for the every day man/woman to help them live their best lives in their every day skin

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Aghhhh that depends… on the mooood lol

But some of my faves are
Of course the belt line ….. the artsy vibe is always inspiring ..
A hike on Stone Mountain .. one of my faves…
There is also this spot called Rich Pour in East point ,its a black owned open mic ..but for the professional it’s really unique
I do city winery’s often

Restaurants
Slutty Vegan ( LOVE )
Little Trouble
Forks and Favors
The Steak Market
The Garden Room
And another fave is Virgils .. yes I eat out a lot lol

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Thats easy .. this is dedicated to God, mommy. ( Gloria Ellis) daddy George Ellis the original Esquire, and my phenomenal  friendship circle who continue to push me and encourage me to keep bettering myself. There are no words to express how much I love you… and as you can see for me to have no words….. THATS BIG

Website: www.EllisEsq.com

Instagram: ELLISESQ

Linkedin: Dean L.G. Ellis

Twitter: ELLISESQ

Facebook: ELLIS ESQ

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