Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Ella Stichler of West Hollywood

Ella Stichler shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Ella, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Most days, no two days look the same…and honestly, that’s exactly how I’ve always wanted it. I don’t think I’ve had a “normal” day in a long time, and I love it. I juggle a couple different jobs that support my acting career, and because I make my own hours, my day to day is constantly shifting.
That said, I can paint a picture of what a “typical” day might look like. I do marketing and social media branding for a range of clients: a finance company, a life coach, an acting coach, a relationship coach, a production studio, and a business podcast. Each client has different needs throughout the week, but on most days I’m running their socials, checking insights and algorithm changes, updating websites and marketing materials, and helping build and maintain their brand identities.
Alongside that, I work on WeAudition as a reader for other actors. When my beacon is on, actors from all over the world can request me for anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour to help with auditions. It’s become such a fun side gig where I get to meet new actors, read great material, stay sharp in my acting, and do it all from home.
Once that work slows down, I shift into actor mode: prepping auditions, working on material for class, or filming self-tapes if I have deadlines. By the time all of that wraps up, it’s usually close to the end of the day.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am an actor, filmmaker, and creative brand strategist based in Los Angeles. Storytelling connects everything I do, whether I’m performing on screen, developing film projects, or helping brands find a voice that actually connects with people.

As an actor, I try to bring depth, range, and emotional truth to every role I embody. I’ve played leads in films and have had recurring television roles, and my work spans drama, horror, and character-driven narratives. On stage I’ve played Desdemona in In Juliet’s Garden and Mary Bennett in Pride and Prejudice, drawing on rigorous training in Meisner, Chekhov, and Stanislavski techniques as well as a lifelong background in dance, singing, and musical theater. My acting journey started while I was growing up San Diego, where early experience in dance and theater cultivated a passion for performance that only grew deeper as I studied Film and Entertainment at the University of Alabama, both in front of and behind the camera, before moving to LA to pursue this work full-time. Now SAG-eligible, I continue to seek out roles that resonate emotionally with audiences and challenge me as an artist.

Alongside acting, I build brand strategy and creative content for clients across industries, from finance and coaching to performance studios and personal brands. What makes my approach unique is that I apply the same storyteller’s lens I use as a performer to brand communication: understanding motivation, stakes, and audience psychology before crafting a message. I help businesses uncover their core narrative and then translate it into compelling content- whether that’s strategic Instagram campaigns, thoughtful email sequences, client-centered video interviews and podcasts, or long-term editorial calendars.

Instead of chasing trends or treating social media like a series of isolated posts, I work with clients to articulate their why and make every piece of content feel intentional, emotionally grounded, and aligned with their business goals. This builds trust, deepens connection with audiences, and turns their followers into their communities.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
When I was younger, I was told and later believed that my passions were unrealistic and unattainable…that they were just hobbies, not something I was allowed to take seriously. Hearing that over and over made it difficult to truly believe in myself, and the constant “no’s” that come with being a performer only reinforced that doubt. Over time, I internalized the idea that I needed external validation to prove my worth or ability.

What I no longer believe is that those limits were real. As an actor, I’ve learned that the biggest obstacle is often your own fear- fear of judgment, fear of failure, fear of how you’ll be perceived. For a long time, the only person holding me back was myself.

Letting go of that mindset and choosing to put myself first changed everything. Since moving to LA and fully committing to my path, there’s been a major shift in my confidence and work ethic. The industry is a grind, but I’ve learned to see rejection as protection and redirection rather than failure. When you stay consistent and keep believing in yourself, rejection loses its power, and that’s when I saw real growth in myself.

What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
Early in my life, I changed my mind about what failure actually meant. Growing up, I was rarely given the chance to “prove myself.” I never got the dance solo, the choir solo, or the lead role in the school play. I labeled all of that as failure. Later, when I entered the film industry, every rejection felt like confirmation that I wasn’t good enough or that this path wasn’t meant for me.

What I’ve learned is that when I chose to believe I was failing, it became a self-fulfilling truth. But when I shifted my perspective and started seeing what was given to me as an opportunity to shine- no matter how small it seemed- everything changed. Failure is not an outcome; it’s an interpretation. Just because a role or situation doesn’t look the way you expected doesn’t mean it’s wrong or lesser.

Recently, I auditioned for a small role on a television series and was called back a second time, only to be redirected and asked to read for a different part. I immediately assumed it meant they didn’t like my work- that they were being polite, and that this new role was smaller or less important. I left the audition feeling pretty defeated. What I found out later was that the new role I was asked to read for was the lead of the series. I booked the project and became a series regular.

That moment completely rewired how I view failure. I no longer see it as rejection or proof that I’m not enough. I see it as redirection, refinement, and sometimes even quiet preparation for something bigger than I imagined. Failing hard taught me that success doesn’t always arrive in the form you expect, but it often shows up the moment you stop labeling yourself as failing at all.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Something that I try to keep at the center of my life is my faith in God. Having this foundation has shaped how I see myself, other people, and the choices I make.

My friends would definitely say that I really value my relationships. Time with my friends and family is important to me, and I’m intentional about staying connected and showing up for the people I care about.

I also need my alone time. Quiet time helps me reset, think clearly, and stay grounded, especially when life gets busy or overwhelming.

More than anything, I care about staying true to who I am and living by my values. I try not to compromise my morals just to make things easier or more comfortable, and that’s something that I hope sets me apart in the industry.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days. 
The only thing that has ever brought me that level of excitement is being on set as an actor. Taking on a role and having the responsibility of stepping into someone else’s inner world and using my imagination to bring them to life, never gets old, and it genuinely never feels like work.

Even when call time is 4 a.m., I’m up without hesitation, excited for the chance to do what I love and move closer to the life I’ve been working toward. Twelve hour days fly by. I’m never watching the clock or counting down until we’re done. If anything, I’m usually hoping we’ll get to stay longer.

On days I’m not called to set, I feel real FOMO. Shooting on weekends never feels like a sacrifice. Being on set- collaborating, creating, and having the freedom to fully live inside a character- has been the only time in my life where work and joy feel completely indistinguishable, and I feel truly lucky to get to experience this in my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ellastichler.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellastichlerr/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ella-stichler-7089a9187/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ella.stichler.7
• Other: IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13591172/

Image Credits
Headshots by David Muller and Marshall Headshots