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

Hi Michelle, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started Ellamae Productions (EP) to create environments which celebrate humanity’s commonalities- love, kindness, and good intentions- over labels and differences. Based in Santa Monica, CA and serving worldwide, Ellamae Productions is a full-service event design and production studio specializing in luxury weddings, experiential gatherings, and nonprofit events. I started EP after working in the Hollywood entertainment events industry for eight years, and this stint provided me with an incredibly educational learning experience of producing high-profile events. Another reason for starting EP is to create more collaborative opportunities with BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals in the creative event space. As an Asian American female business owner, I believe that when we lift one another up, I’m doing my part to create a better, more equal future for people from all walks of life.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Intentional living and authenticity are at the heart of every event we produce. With all our clients, one of the first questions we ask is, “What are priorities for this event?”, as in “What do you want the guest experience take away to be?”. The answer often reveals our clients’ goals and vision which directly translates into how we allocate the budget. Seeing that Ellamae Productions is almost two years old and TASTE Dinners is launching in Summer 2021, my biggest challenge has been to mentally get out of my own way and do the next thing I know how to grow my businesses. There will never be anyone who cares more about your business than you. When fear or self-doubt have crippled me from working towards goals, I overcome the negative self-talk by actively recognizing it and deciding it has no place in my life. We all have a narrative in our heads, some more loving than others, and it’s been my continual challenge to continue believing in myself, even through a pandemic! Ellamae Productions is a combination of white-glove hospitality and an organization which genuinely cares about its clients. It isn’t transactional for us – we collaborate with clients in the hopes of not only creating one event but also all your life’s/business’s milestones for years to come.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m a proud Los Angeles native and some of my favorite things about this city are it’s diverse people, eateries serving cuisine from all corners of the world, and the close proximity to mountains and sea. Having resided along the coast for the past 10 years, I’m forever a lover of the ocean and a perfect day includes driving down PCH to pick up Lily’s Burritos in Malibu and spending an afternoon on the beach with a breakfast burrito, La Croix water, and the latest read. I also love checking out Venice’s First Fridays filled with delicious food trucks and the newest intimate bar shaking up craft cocktails. Even after a lifetime of living in LA, I still discover new parks and hikes to do in or around the city. I definitely suggest visitors to check out Griffith Park, Inspiration Point in the Pacific Palisades, and LACMA’s park. Lastly, I truly think Los Angeles has some of the best sunsets I’ve seen, especially in winter. Carve out time to find the perfect spot to see the sun set on the West Coast – there’s nothing quite like it. Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Loma Gueno, a woman like my own mother, taught me the nuances and grace of true hospitality and instilled confidence that I can do whatever I put my mind to at a young age. Maria Booth, my sister from another mother and mentor has helped manifest Ellamae Productions and TASTE Dinners – forever grateful for her vision and unwavering kindness. Cheryl Cecchetto of Sequoia Productions mentored me when I knew nothing about the events industry and has taught me 80% of what I know about event production – I wouldn’t have had my past experiences and breadth of event knowledge without her. And lastly, my mother, Jran Tak Wah Chan – a force to be reckoned with and the toughest woman I know – I literally would not be here without her and I’m forever thankful to call her mom and my harshest, most loving critic. I dedicate this editorial feature to all the women in my life – past and present – who have shaped me, encouraged me, and believed in me to use my talents and achieve greatness.

Website: https://www.ellamaeproductions.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellamaeproductions/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-ella-mae-chan/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellamaeproductions

Image Credits
Photography by Katie Shuler, Justin Jay, Nicole Henshaw, and Noah Sink.

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.