Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellie Skinner.
Ellie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I knew as early as sixth grade that I wanted to be an activist. Even at that age, I felt deeply that my life’s work needed to be about more than a job — it had to be a vehicle for meaningful change at the micro, macro, and mezzo levels of society.
After earning two college degrees and spending decades immersed in hospitality, service, and mixology, I came to understand that the restaurant industry was where my passions and purpose could truly meet. It offered the perfect intersection of creativity, connection, leadership, and impact.
What drew me to this path was not just the work itself, but the opportunity to create spaces that could influence culture, elevate community, and reflect the values I care most about. It felt less like a choice and more like a knowing — an innate intuition that this was where I was meant to be.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Is the road ever really smooth? Of course learning to overcome the standard industry challenges like long hours, tight margins and historic events that can throw us for a loop are a part of daily life. For me, the harder challenges remain in empowering individuals (including myself), maintaining a strong workplace culture and helping move our community toward greater social inclusion-all while navigating the biases and expectations that can accompany gender and social norms. But I wouldn’t say these are struggles, as much as they are the challenges I knew I would face.
The real struggle has been defining my values and standing firmly by them, even when I thought I may be standing alone. It meant empowering my inner strength and mind to advocate for myself and our team, all while creating space for underrepresented voices and causes to grow.
Navigating these struggles alone was not possible. It only becomes possible by building a strong team and a culture of mutual respect. I have been fortunate to work with my business partner, team and the community in Baltimore City. Our craft restaurant is deeply collaborative. We’ve learned that leadership and impact is a recipe written by those beside us, not by us alone.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At this craft restaurant the world influences our food, cocktails, wine and beer. Owned and operated by local Baltimorean’s, of Love & Regret is no average local restaurant. Our passion for quality and commitment to providing an experience outside of the mainstream sets us apart. We are the art of life, love, food, drink and service.
At of Love & Regret, our mission is rooted in kindness and conviction, ensuring every individual feels valued. We celebrate inclusivity, empathy, and diversity, fostering community connections through a unique food and beverage experience that transcends the mainstream.
Our team is dedicated to honesty, respect, and creativity, consistently committed to innovation and education. At the heart, is our kitchen, delivering the joy of worldly flavors and the essence of travel on every plate. Our bar, the voice, offers meticulously selected craft spirits to expand both your palate and mind.
Through warmth, creativity, and respect, we strive to inspire and enrich the lives of our community, employees, and patrons alike.
We call ourselves a craft restaurant because we have created a space, an experience and opportunities for people to genuinely connect. We do not dull interaction with television or exploit experiences by offering mass produced products that dominate the market and pre-dispose our pallets. Rather, we are a conversation bar and restaurant that encourages interaction between patrons, staff and our community alike through our daily commitment to provide a food and beverage experience that is meant to inspire and expand individuals and our community alike.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
To those just starting out, remember your uniqueness is your greatest asset. Do not worry about conforming to others, rather be relentless in your commitment to your values, voice and vision. People will follow if you lead by example. You have something unique to share with the world that may not yet be defined, and this is okay. This only comes with time and trials, When in doubt, trust your gut before following others.
What do I wish I knew when I was starting out? I wish I knew that I can do what I never dared to dream of. I would have saved myself a lot of time if I had dreamed bigger from the beginning.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.olarbmore.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_olar____/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ofLoveandRegret
