Click with Rona

How a 2013 Layoff Led Him to the Work He Loves | Ben Elkin

Episode Summary

In this episode of Click With Rona, Rona sits down with Ben Elkin, showroom manager and employee-owner at The Luxe Home Studio in Costa Mesa, California, home of LightStyles and Builders Source Appliance Gallery. Ben shares the journey behind his career, the lessons that shaped his approach to service, and the 2013 “click moment” when a layoff pushed him to pivot and build his personal brand. He and Rona discuss relationship-based service, why an employee-owned business model aligns a whole team around customer care, the luxury home market in Southern California, and advice for younger professionals.

Episode Notes

In this episode:

• Growing up in Kentucky and the Midwest

• Moving to California and entering the appliance industry

• Lessons from an early career and experiential showrooms

- Creating the Costa Mesa showroom

- Designing the space in collaboration with Grace Blu

- Relationship-based service and customer care

- Why employee ownership changes everything

- The click moment: pivoting after a layoff

- Advice for younger professionals and perspectives on AI