About the Author
R.S. Ellis
Writer. Speaker. Mentor. Believer in the power and flow of a God centered life.
His Story
R.S. Ellis has spent the better part of two decades asking one question: what does it actually take to build a life you're proud of?
Not a life that looks good on paper. Not a life optimized for approval. A life rooted in values, shaped by intention, and built one deliberate choice at a time.
His work began in mentorship — sitting across from young adults in their twenties and thirties who were smart, capable, and completely lost. Not because they lacked talent, but because no one had ever given them a framework for thinking about how to live.
Principles to Live By is the book he wishes had existed when he was starting out. It is direct, honest, and built for people who are serious about becoming who they're capable of being.
I don't write for people who want to feel better. I write for people who want to be better.
— R.S. Ellis
The Journey
How the book came to be
Early Years
Grew up asking the questions most people avoid — about purpose, identity, and what it means to live well.
The Work
Spent a decade mentoring young adults through pivotal transitions — college, career, relationships, and self-discovery.
The Writing
Began distilling those conversations into principles — clear, honest frameworks that cut through the noise of modern self-help.
The Book
Published Principles to Live By — a guide for the generation that refuses to settle for a life they didn't choose.
His Mission
Equip a generation to live with intention
R.S. Ellis believes the greatest crisis facing young adults today isn't economic or political — it's a crisis of direction. Too many capable people are living lives they stumbled into rather than ones they chose.
Through his writing, speaking, and weekly newsletter, he works to change that — one principle at a time.
Work with R.S. Ellis
Speaking & Media Inquiries
R.S. Ellis is available for keynotes, podcast interviews, panel discussions, and media appearances. He speaks on purpose, identity, and the principles of a well-lived life.
Get in TouchAlso in Business
Sawdust Quandry LLC
R.S. Ellis also owns and operates Sawdust Quandry LLC, specializing in furniture repair and restoration. Whether it is a family heirloom that needs new life or a piece worth saving, the work is done with care, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. Rated and reviewed on HomeAdvisor.
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