Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Ridgely.
Hi Stephanie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
Absolutely! From taking my first job at a banquet hall to overseeing the programming efforts of resident assistants in college and planning high-profile fundraising events at a law firm, I have gained experience across multiple industries. Though these roles were vastly different, they shared one common theme: I love to plan events. In August 2020, amid a pandemic, I decided that I would like to own my wedding and private events venue for five years. Never mind five years – after saying that out loud, my husband and I quickly discovered that the former Holy Ghost Church was available in Tremont, a Cleveland neighborhood where I have lived since 2015. We saw the beauty and potential of this historic landmark that had been sitting vacant for six years. After six months of contract negotiations, presentations to local block clubs, historic preservation committees, and the city, and one year of a complete historic remodel, The Elliot opened its doors in July 2022. We are approaching our second anniversary, and I’m still floored at how quickly this happened. People often ask if owning a venue had always been my dream, and honestly, it never once crossed my mind. However, I can’t imagine I’d be happier doing anything else.
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Since this was my first business and opened just two years from conception, it was a relatively smooth road. Each struggle was a learning lesson that I’m grateful for experiencing early on, resulting in valuable experience responding to challenges. Below are some of the critical hurdles I faced in establishing my business.
From a financial standpoint, I knew renovating a historic property with severe water damage would be risky. I was unprepared for the negative feedback I received from some community members, many of whom had personal connections to the neighborhood or the church itself. I encountered criticism in local Facebook groups and resistance to our plans for replacing the building’s crumbling stained glass. Although most of the community’s response was positive, and we ultimately passed each approval with unanimous support, I needed help understanding how bringing this building back to life could be worse than letting it sit vacant or tearing it down for commercial real estate.
For the first four months of being open, I was a staff of one, handling all marketing, sales, operational, and staffing efforts. To say I was stressed out is an understatement. As a startup, I took every sale I could, regardless of whether it was a good fit for the brand I was trying to build or the parameters and capacities of the venue. The breaking point came when I resorted to the quintessential breakdown move and cut my bangs—that’s when I knew I needed to hire an events director (to date, this has been the best move I’ve made).
I appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Elliot?
The Elliot is an event venue in Cleveland’s historic Tremont neighborhood, catering to weddings, corporate events, private parties, nonprofit galas, and hosted events. Led by our Director of Events, Katie Mang, and myself (Founder & CEO), The Elliot is a women-owned and operated business that fosters community connections through various public events, such as women-owned marketplaces, local wine tastings, and festive holiday parties. We also offer planning, coordination, and design services for weddings through our in-house team, Elliot Events, ensuring a seamless experience for our clients.
Built within the former Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church, The Elliot is the first venue in Cleveland to modernize a vacant church while honoring its historic architecture. The Ballroom features a grand staircase, a 16′ rose window balcony, and an 8′ Swarovski crystal chandelier. The white walls, quartz-top bar, and 29′ dome ceiling provide a stunning blank canvas. The lower-level Rosehip Room, an unexpected speakeasy with deep green walls, emerald tiling, and quartz, is perfect for cocktail hours, comedy shows, live music, and private events; equipped with a stage and a 27-foot quartz bar featuring the building’s original stained glass.
Our commitment to transparency, thought leadership, and prime location sets The Elliot apart. Our pricing and packages are available on our website, and we don’t need to gatekeep information. We provide resources like worksheets, checklists, vendor recommendations, and discounts to make planning seamless. Client feedback shapes our business model, ensuring continuous improvement and the best possible service. Located in the heart of Tremont, The Elliot is a 5-minute drive from downtown hotels and a 15-minute drive from the airport, surrounded by fine-dining restaurants, boutiques, and bars, ideal for rehearsal dinners and after parties.
We’d love to hear what you think about risk-taking.
Starting The Elliot was the most significant risk I’ve ever taken. During a global pandemic, I had never started a business, let alone an event venue. There were so many ways it could have gone wrong—we could have been denied funding, the city could have denied necessary variances, or I could have overestimated the demand for our services. But I listened to my gut and am so happy I did.
Taking risks is essential for innovation and growth. It’s about stepping out of your comfort zone and doing something you’ve never done. For me, this meant transforming a historic church into a modern event venue and navigating the complexities of starting a business during uncertain times. The journey was challenging, from securing financial backing to meeting regulatory requirements and convincing the community of our vision. Despite these obstacles, taking this leap has been incredibly rewarding.
I understand that risks are subjective and mean something different to everyone based on the resources and support available to them. For some, a significant risk might be starting a small business or changing careers; for others, it might be investing in a new market or launching an innovative product. The key is to assess the potential rewards against the possible setbacks and to trust your instincts. My experience with The Elliot has taught me that even when the odds seem daunting, taking a calculated risk can lead to tremendous growth and fulfillment. By embracing risk, we open ourselves to new opportunities and the chance to achieve something remarkable.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theelliotcle.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/theelliotcle
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/theelliotcle
Image Credits
Tiffany Joy Photo Kayla Coleman, K Photography, Kristen Hardesty, Olivia D. Wenger, Kelly Rose
