When you think of an auto body or customization shop, you might picture grease-streaked floors, buzzing fluorescent lights, and that unmistakable smell of oil and rubber. But step into Elite Customs, a luxury car modification shop founded by husband-wife team Rich and Samantha McClellan, and you’ll find something entirely different. Think more boutique hotel lobby than back-alley garage.
From the custom leather seating in the waiting area to the scented candles and spa music playing softly in the background, Elite Customs reimagines what a car shop can feel like—and it’s not just for aesthetics. Owners Rich and Sam built this experience with a specific intention: to make car customization and repair feel accessible and enjoyable for everyone, whether you’re a luxury car enthusiast or a first-time visitor simply curious about what’s possible.
Why Good Design Matters—Even in Unexpected Places
Well-designed spaces do more than just look good—they build trust, influence behavior, and shape the entire customer experience. Whether it’s a high-end boutique or a neighborhood coffee shop, intentional design helps people feel more comfortable, more engaged, and more likely to return.
Research shows that customers form first impressions within seconds of entering a business, and elements like lighting, layout, color, and cleanliness all play a role in how welcome—or wary—they feel.
For traditionally industrial settings like auto shops, investing in thoughtful design can be especially powerful, helping to shift long-held perceptions and open doors to new kinds of customers. Design is communication. Every surface, scent, and sound tells a story about what a brand stands for.
A Shop That Feels Like Home
Founded on the principle that beautiful design shouldn’t stop at your car’s exterior, Elite Customs offers an elevated experience from the moment clients step inside.
“The reason we structured it the way we did—well, one, Rich is a little bougie,” Sam laughs. “He wanted a shop that was clean and comfortable for him and his guys. Somewhere he could walk any level of client into, and they would feel comfortable—not like they were walking into a nasty mechanic shop.”
That intentionality is present throughout the space, from warm-toned paint and stylish office decor to a fully stocked coffee bar and snack area. The couple even repurposed unused items they already owned to stretch their budget creatively, opting for finishes you’d expect in a boutique or high-end salon, not necessarily an auto shop.
“I just thought about what would make me feel comfortable,” Sam explains. “Not so sterile like a doctor’s office. The textures and colors are warm, inviting, and have a personality. I hadn’t seen another custom shop do that.”
Photo Credit: Elite Customs
A Place for Everyone
It’s not just about making the shop look good—it’s about creating a space where everyone feels welcome. Whether you’re male or female, a seasoned car collector or a teenager getting their first upgrade, the experience at Elite Customs is designed to put you at ease.
Sam says the front end of the shop was shaped with that exact feeling in mind. “Subconsciously, when people walk in, I want them to feel like they can let their guard down. That they’re not walking into a showroom that’s being so salesy, it should feel genuine.”
With a mix of thoughtful design and a culture of authenticity, Elite Customs makes a strong case for rethinking what we expect from auto customization spaces.
Of course, Elite Customs’s aesthetic approach would be empty without the skill and craftsmanship to back it up. From lifted trucks and luxury tint jobs to complete paint transformations and detailing, Rich and his team are known for their attention to detail and top-notch work.
The shop handles everything from basic upgrades to full custom rebuilds, and while the front-end design might be soft and welcoming, the back-end is all about precision, power, and performance.
Photo Credit: Elite Customs
Redefining the Industry Standard
By breaking the mold—literally and figuratively—Elite Customs is inspiring others in the industry to rethink what a shop can be. It’s not just about cool cars anymore; it’s about the whole experience. From the first conversation to the final walk-through of a completed job, clients feel valued, respected, and—dare we say it—pampered.
For Sam, that’s exactly the point.
“We’re not pretending to be something we’re not,” she says. “It’s still a shop. You walk into a foyer, and there’s a reception desk. But you don’t have stuff everywhere. And you have spa music playing in the office and a candle burning. It’s just better.”
Design = Impact
At its core, great design is about empathy—it considers how people move, what they feel, and what they need, often before they even realize it themselves. Whether it’s a thoughtfully arranged waiting room, a welcoming storefront, or subtle sensory details like scent and sound, design can transform a space from merely functional to genuinely meaningful. It builds connection, inspires confidence, and leaves a lasting impression long after the transaction is over. In any industry, investing in the customer experience through intentional design isn’t just a nicety—it’s a strategy that pays dividends in loyalty, reputation, and long-term success.