Daily Inspiration: Meet Ahava Sade Ellis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ahava Sade Ellis.

Hi Ahava Sade, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Ahava Sade Ellis.

My first name, Ahava, means love in Hebrew, and that’s a value that has shaped both my life and my work. I’ve always been someone who believes movement creates growth, whether that’s learning, healing, building businesses, or investing in relationships.

Entrepreneurship has always been part of my life.

Growing up, I watched my mother build her own path by teaching vegan cooking classes and preparing plant-based meals for her community. Instead of following a traditional career path, she created work that reflected her values, and watching her showed me that building your own opportunities was possible.

My older sister inspired me, too. She started with a small handmade jewelry business while she was still in school, which eventually expanded into a bigger boutique company for her and later a travel agency. Seeing what entrepreneurship made possible gave me confidence that I could build something of my own.

When I was thirteen years old, I launched Dollzz Closet. I worked a demanding job to earn the money to start the business, then reinvested every profit back into inventory. Watching the business grow taught me discipline, patience, and the value of betting on myself.

I spent my early childhood in Cleveland before moving to Cleveland Heights, where I found teachers, mentors, and friends who encouraged me to dream bigger. That community helped shape the person I would become and strengthened my belief that I could create opportunities for myself and others.

One of the biggest turning points in my life came after being diagnosed with Graves’ disease. My journey toward improving my health led me to study nutrition, wellness, and the connection between the mind, body, and lifestyle. That experience changed my perspective completely and ultimately inspired Raw Identity.

Later, while attending Northeastern University, I participated in a Dialogue of Civilizations program in South Korea focused on skincare chemistry. Ironically, while studying skincare abroad, my own skin became more irritated than ever. Returning home reminded me that sometimes simplicity works best, and it reinforced my belief that skincare starts long before a product touches your skin. It starts with what you eat, and that is simply connected to your mind, your body and your spirit. So with that being said, it really cycles back to why chose Health Sciences as a major, my ability to heal myself from within, and also my determination to keep going forward with my skin care brand Raw Identity.Co

Today, I’m continuing to grow Raw Identity, reimagining Dollzz Closet with extra family support, and developing EatLife while pursuing my B.S. in Health Science and Psychology at Northeastern University. Although each business serves a different audience, they’re all connected by the same purpose: helping people build healthier relationships with themselves through education, wellness, and self-care.

“A founder will always be the founder, but not every founder is meant to remain the CEO. Growth means understanding that while someone else may water the garden, your vision still lives in the sunlight and air that allow it to flourish.” — Ahava Sade Ellis

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey hasn’t always been easy, but my biggest challenges have come from balancing priorities rather than overcoming failure.

Building businesses while attending High school in Cleveland Heights and College at Northeastern University full-time on the West Coast, far from my family in Cleveland, has required constant discipline. Managing classes, entrepreneurship, and personal growth at the same time has taught me how to prioritize what matters most.

Over the years, there were moments when I had to step back from Dollzz Closet to focus on school and other responsibilities. Rather than seeing that as a setback, I’ve come to view it as part of the business’s evolution, because my customers still are loyal and shop with me.

Today, I’m preparing to transition more responsibility for Dollzz Closet to members of my family. It’s the business I started at thirteen, and I’m proud to see it continue growing while I focus on expanding Raw Identity and EatLife. One lesson I’ve learned through studying entrepreneurship is that leadership isn’t always about holding onto everything yourself, sometimes it’s about trusting others to help carry the vision forward.

Being away from Cleveland has also given me a different perspective on my hometown. Watching neighborhoods struggle with disinvestment while others rapidly change has strengthened my commitment to creating businesses that promote health, confidence, education, and community.

At the heart of everything I build is the hope that people feel seen, valued, and empowered to care for themselvesbecause I know how awakening that can be.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a multi-hyphenate entrepreneur building brands rooted in wellness, self-care, and identity. My primary focus is Raw Identity, a herbal/vegan skincare body care business centered on simple, plant-based ingredients and intentional living. The line includes body butters, fragrances, and other products designed for people who want to know exactly what they’re putting on their bodies. It’s for the market who wants to enhance their true, Raw Identity and character.

I’m also the founder of Dollzz Closet, a brand I launched as a teenager that is now evolving into a celebration of how different cultures express beauty, rest, and nighttime traditions through products like bonnets, sleep accessories, and vegan lip glosses.

Alongside those businesses, I’m developing EatLife, an educational platform that teaches everyone about vegan/ raw foods cooking, gardening, and food as medicine through engaging short-form content and videos.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I spent my early childhood in Cleveland before moving to Cleveland Heights, a community that became my second home. Cleveland Heights gave me opportunities that shaped who I am today. It was where I grew spiritually, mentally, and academically. I found teachers, mentors, and friends who believed in me, and it was there that I realized I was capable of building something of my own. The support I received through Cleveland Heights High School helped me grow into both the student and entrepreneur I wanted to become.

At the same time, Cleveland is a city with real challenges. I’ve watched young people get caught up in violence, seen public spaces damaged, and witnessed neighborhoods struggle with crime and disinvestment. From a distance, it’s heartbreaking to see communities like East Cleveland continue to be overlooked with the streets remaining the same since DECADES while other areas experience rapid development. I believe every neighborhood deserves the same investment, opportunities, and care.

What gives me hope is my generation. I’ve seen young entrepreneurs, artists, creators, and community leaders choosing collaboration over competition. They’re creating businesses, building platforms, supporting one another, and redefining what it means to represent Cleveland. I believe we have a responsibility to leave something better for the next generation. If we don’t become the examples we wish we had, who will?

Despite its challenges, I love Cleveland deeply. It’s a city filled with resilient people who lead with heart, faith, creativity, and determination. Everyone wears their crown differently, but there’s a shared spirit of perseverance that connects us. No matter where life takes me, Cleveland will always be part of who I am and home to me, and I hope to contribute to its future by creating businesses and opportunities that help people thrive.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dollzzcloset/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568025687085
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahava-ellis-a94a98306
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@lifewithahava