Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ella Parlor. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Ella, great to have you with us today and excited to have you share your wisdom with our readers. Over the years, after speaking with countless do-ers, makers, builders, entrepreneurs, artists and more we’ve noticed that the ability to take risks is central to almost all stories of triumph and so we’re really interested in hearing about your journey with risk and how you developed your risk-taking ability.
Risk-taking is in my DNA. The question I ask myself is, “What’s scarier—taking the leap of faith or staying exactly where you are?” If it doesn’t make your heart pound, it might be time to try something new. Throughout my life, risk has been a defining force, shaping both my personal and professional journeys.
At seven, I took my first solo flight across the country. That experience taught me to trust my capabilities, a lesson that has guided me ever since. Relocating to Texas without a job, friends, or family was another leap of faith. I try to embrace uncertainty and trust that perseverance will always lead to opportunities. Writing my business memoir, High Tolerance, was a calculated risk. Sharing insider knowledge about the alcohol industry exposed me to potential backlash. But I believed it was a story worth telling, and since it’s become a #1 bestseller, it seems many others agree.
Today, as I cold-call private equity firms and potential clients, I am reminded to push through uncertainty and trust my vision. Faith and trust are what fuel me every day.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
EP Consulting is breaking into the private equity space for beverage brands, bringing a wealth of insider expertise to investors looking to break into this highly regulated industry. The reality is that 98% of beverage brands never reach $10M in revenue, but the sales strategies and marketing campaigns I’ve executed have generated over $1 billion for major beverage companies.
My goal is to help investors navigate the complexities of the alcohol industry—because in this business, there are so many unknowns you don’t even realize you need to account for. That’s why a strategic partner like EP Consulting is essential to turning your vision into reality.
As a beverage brand consultant, I build frameworks and roadmaps that drive long-term success, ensuring brands can identify and address critical marketing, sales, and operational gaps before they lead to failure. With EP Consulting, we bring the knowledge and expertise to transform potential into profit.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been resilience, relationship-building, and empathetic leadership.
First, resilience has been crucial in overcoming setbacks and pushing forward. Challenges are inevitable, but learning to treat failures as growth opportunities has defined my path. My advice: stay agile, let data drive your decisions, and never let setbacks derail your vision.
Next, relationship-building has also been key. Genuine connections have opened doors and built trust. Invest in real partnerships, and focus on giving more than you take. Networking is about influence, motivation, and teamwork.
Lastly, empathetic leadership has made all the difference. Leading through communication and empowerment, not control (which is a bit hard for me, to be honest), builds motivated teams that can weather any storm. My advice: focus on listening, supporting, and problem-solving with empathy. This fosters accountability and drives lasting success.
Developing these areas—resilience, relationships, and leadership—will improve your decision-making and problem-solving, making you an impactful leader.
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
Ha, this is a vulnerable one right now. A current challenge I’m facing is navigating the world of private equity without a formal finance background. Even with my experience in successful brand exits and years of expertise in marketing and sales, I sometimes feel like an outsider. The finance world, especially in male-dominated sectors like tech, can be steeped in jargon and complex frameworks that aren’t second nature to me.
I’m used to leading with creativity, vision, and deep consumer insights, but finance requires a different level of precision and understanding that I’m still building. One of the biggest hurdles is not knowing what I don’t know—things like regulations, deal structuring, and financial analysis, all of which are central to private equity. It’s humbling to step into a space where I’m still learning the ropes, but that’s where growth happens, right?
The challenge is also exciting. I’m embracing the discomfort, focusing on building strong relationships, learning the language of finance, and leveraging my strengths in brand-building and market strategy. I know I bring something unique to the table, and while it’s a learning curve, the process of adapting and contributing from a fresh perspective is what drives me. Ultimately, the only person standing between me and my goals is myself, and I’m pushing through because I know there’s value in the journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ellaparlor.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellayourbella/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellaparlor/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ella.parlor
