Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Ellis.
Hi Steve, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have always had a deep rooted passion for planes, trains, and automobiles, from sleeping in my racecar car bed as a kid, to collecting Hotwheels, driving my grandmother’s 64′ MUstang coupe around her land, cars have always been a passion.
Before I could get my driver’s license, my mother suggested that I attend the Texas A&M Autocross with the local club, which began my passion for motorsports.
After a tragic loss of a friend, who had always encouraged my joking around and comedy, I began to pursue acting. I started with a talent scout in Bryan, TX, Nikki Pederson Talent, and moved to Los Angeles in 2010.
After studying with nearly every creditable acting coach, building a resume of commercial work, voiceover work, and on film for tv and film, Los Angeles was booming, until wasn’t. With the drastic change in the industry, I found that Los Angeles also had something else of interest, a massive automotive scene and industry.
When COVID hit in 2020, it required many people to adapt, and after the production company I worked for closed, opened the door to jump into an industry that I was just as passionate about.
In 2020, I began working for TopRank Imports, which specializes in importing and exporting vehicles to Japan. This was a dream job, as I was a huge fan of Japanese sports cars from the 90s, specifically the Nissan Skyline GT-R.
After working in this niche market, I was recruited by one of the largest automotive insurance companies, Hagerty. In 2022 I opened a private high-end facility under the brand of Garage+Social.
In this role I was introduced to clients in search of premium automotive services, from buying and selling to services and storage. These aren’t your run of the mill daily drivers, but more limited production, multi-million dollar vehicles such as Koenigsegg, McLaren, Ferrari, Pagani, and more.
Since then I have ventured out and now work as a private concierge working directly with clients to facilitate their needs for their automotive collections, and more.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In relation to cars, the analogy of “smooth road”, is fitting, but it has been far from smooth.
With the ever changing world since the pandemic it has been a constant adjustment to capture the attention of premium clients.
In 2023 Hagerty decided to close the Culver City location to consolidate into our Van Nuys facility which had its own struggles.
In 2024 after a reduction of workforce, a handful of clients opted to invest in genuine and relentless too notch service, and thus I entered into the private sector.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am still actively acting, from voiceovers for commercial and animation, to writing scripts and projects. In addition to that my “daily” job is helping private clients manage their collections and handling the sale and purchase of modern exotics and rare collector vehicles.
What sets me a apart from others, I work with urgency and with the purpose of getting my clients what they want with a focus on the details and unwavering loyalty, a rarity in this industry.
What’s next?
As I continue my pursuit for acting and the entertainment industry, I have booked a film shooting early summer of 2025, as well as hoping to launch a film project of my own.
On the automotive business side I am expanding my clientele and working to launch my own facility with investors in the next year. This facility will provide a private “we work” like space while offering the same services with a focused team of specialist.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getbtw?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevecellisii?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@getbehindthewheel?si=nylhfJUzDREKH0_9
Image Credits
Rami Garcia – @RamboS5G
