Ella Grace Cannon
Carl Cannon Chevrolet Buick GMC & Refining Fire Ranch
Words & Images by Justin Hunter
Fueled by determination and her family's unwavering support, Ella Grace Cannon is turning her dreams into reality. Whether she is guiding a child on horseback at Refining Fire Ranch or assisting a colleague at Carl Cannon Chevrolet Buick GMC, Ella's life mission revolves around serving others.
"For as long as I can remember, my family has always told me I can be anything I want to be, that the decision was always up to me, and that it wasn't my job to make anyone else proud but myself and God," she says.
At 24, Ella is navigating the complexities of her life vision, concurrently forging a path as an equestrian entrepreneur and contributing to the family business. Her tireless work ethic, reminiscent of Rosie the Riveter, combined with her commitment to living out Jesus' command to "love your neighbor," propels her success as the Director of Operations at Refining Fire Ranch and a Customer Service Specialist at Carl Cannon. She finds ample opportunities in both roles to extend a helping hand and give back to the community.
"My grandfather told me, 'If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life,' and I love what I am doing right now. I love helping customers and co-workers at the dealership," Ella says. "I also love helping people connect to nature and horses at the ranch.
I remember the first time I sat on a horse, which was magical, and I was hooked."
As a fourth-generation Carl Cannon employee, Ella's family ties run deep in Walker County and the local automotive community.
Her great-grandfather, Carl W. Cannon, founded Carl Cannon Chevrolet Oldsmobile in 1965 in downtown Jasper, and the business has thrived over the last 58 years. Ella's childhood was filled with visits to the dealership, witnessing its transition to the current location off I-22, and playing in the office cubicles with friends.
After graduating from Jasper High School in 2018 and completing her studies at UNA in December 2022, Ella felt drawn back home.
Joining the Carl Cannon team in January 2023, she spent eight months as a saleswoman on the showroom floor before transitioning to her current customer service role. This switch allows her to grasp every aspect of the dealership and position herself as Carl Cannon's "solutionary."
"This new role has given me the flexibility to work at the ranch and the dealership simultaneously, and I couldn't be more thankful for my now-boss, Curt Ballard, my entire support system at Carl Cannon, my family, and especially my mom and dad," says Ella.
At Refining Fire Ranch, Ella and her mother preserve the Western way of life, empowering young individuals to find their voices and discover the magic of the outdoors. The women-owned ranch, with its thirteen horses, serves as a sanctuary for all, mirroring the solace Ella found in horses during her youth.
Whether at the dealership or on the ranch, Ella Grace Cannon dedicates herself wholeheartedly to serving those around her with a contagious joy and an ever-present smile. With each day, she continues to embody the values instilled by her family, turning every opportunity into a chance to positively impact the lives of others. 78