We caught up with our Co-Founder, Simon Blackford, to discuss his move to LA and what this exciting new chapter means for Ellidore.
What inspired the decision to move to LA, and why now?
After launching in Dallas in 2024, we wanted to build on that and establish a presence on the West Coast. Our mantra is: why wait? We have to go and get it, and that’s exactly what we are doing! LA, or California more generally, is the perfect spot for us. It’s full of potential members and life’s winners. An Ellidore member is successful, adventurous, thrill-seeking, and risk-taking, living life to the fullest. California is home to these people—it draws in the world’s brightest minds, business game-changers, and the most successful individuals. We want to be among them.
How does this move fit into our company’s broader vision and international expansion strategy?
We are already well established in two of the world’s foremost destinations for luxury lifestyle, London and Dubai, and developing the US market was always next on the agenda. Having a presence in both Dallas and LA gives us that opportunity in spades.
Why is LA the right market for expanding our international business?
LA, or California more generally, is the perfect spot for us. It’s full of potential members and life’s winners. An Ellidore member is successful, adventurous, thrill-seeking, and risk-taking, and they want to live life to the fullest. California is home to these people—it draws in the world’s brightest minds, business game-changers, and the most successful individuals. We want to be among them.
What kind of members do we hope to attract in LA?
Our LA members will be cool, fun, engaged, adventurous, and risk-takers—just as they are everywhere!
How will we tailor our offerings to meet the needs of this new market?
Every market is different, but then so is every member. Ellidore has been successful in creating a model that can easily adapt to a specific member’s needs and be exactly what they want us to be, without compromising our service or values.
How do you envision growing and nurturing our community in LA?
We have some exciting ideas to build a community, so watch this space. However, our membership often grows organically through referrals, so we will take a combined approach.
What does success in LA look like for us?
Success means maintaining our high standards, never compromising on quality, attention to detail, style, and ethos. We want to be the foremost luxury lifestyle service globally, and LA is another step towards achieving that.
Where do you see our company in five years as a result of this move? I believe this move is game-changing for the growth of Ellidore. We are on the cusp of becoming what we envisioned years ago. Making the US a key market will strengthen our position, and we hope to be leading the charge in five years’ time.
From a personal perspective, what are you most looking forward to about the LA lifestyle?
Living in a positive, optimistic culture, surrounded by sunshine and healthy living. Even in a short amount of time, I can already feel the willingness to embrace new ideas, concepts, and people. I’m excited to travel to new countries nearby and explore the US in depth. There are so many places on my list—I might need to be here a while!
