Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Allison Ernst. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Allison thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

For myself, entrepreneurship wasn’t a sudden leap – it was a carefully charted journey. The dream of owning my own business first took hold in 2006, but rather than rushing in unprepared, I chose to build a solid foundation as I didn’t yet have the means or assets to climb that mountain.

Over two decades in retail, including groundbreaking roles like becoming The Journeys Group’s first female loss prevention manager, each position added crucial experience. It wasn’t until after a hard look at my life and career that the timing finally felt right. With support from friends and fellow small business owners, I took the risk to launch Prevail Boutique in 2021, which evolved into today’s Stacked by Prevail – proving that sometimes the longest roads lead to the best destinations.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My path to jewelry curation is anything but typical – I actually started my retail career in 2001, eventually making history as The Journeys Group’s first female loss prevention manager in 2012. Over 20 years in retail taught me invaluable lessons about what customers truly value and how to build a business with purpose.

While I’ve wanted to be an entrepreneur since 2006, I knew I needed the right foundation first. After leadership roles at companies like Rag & Bone and Emerson | Grace, I finally took the leap in 2021 with Prevail Boutique, which evolved into Stacked by Prevail in 2024.

What sets us apart is our unique approach to jewelry curation. We create what I call “1-of-1 collections” – each piece is hand-sourced and comes with its own history. These aren’t just accessories; they’re conversation starters and character builders that reflect each wearer’s personal journey. By focusing on vintage and sustainable pieces, we’re helping our customers express themselves while making environmentally conscious fashion choices.

What I’m most proud of is how we’re building more than just a brand – we’re creating a community that values both style and sustainability. I combine my analytical background in retail operations with a passion for unique, sustainable fashion. Every piece we curate tells a story, and every customer becomes part of our mission to “prevail together in the world of sustainable, characterful fashion.”

Whether you’re looking for that perfect statement piece or building your own unique stack, we’re here to help you express your character while making conscious fashion choices. It’s about more than just jewelry – it’s about creating a movement where personal expression meets environmental responsibility.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

My biggest pivot came in 2020, and like many significant changes, it started with a moment of deep reflection. After two decades in retail leadership across several major brands, I found myself taking a hard look at my life and career path. I’d been dreaming of entrepreneurship but had always put it off, telling myself I didn’t have the means or assets to “climb that mountain.”

But something shifted during that reflection. All those years in retail – from loss prevention to various leadership roles – weren’t just jobs. They were preparation. Each position had been teaching me something crucial about business operations, customer experience, and what makes brands truly successful.

So I took the leap, launching Prevail Boutique with a vision of mixing vintage finds with modern must-haves. But entrepreneurship teaches you to stay flexible, and as I listened to my customers and followed my passion for sustainability, another pivot emerged. In 2024, we evolved into Stacked by Prevail, focusing specifically on sustainable, vintage jewelry and creating what we call “1-of-1 collections.”

This pivot wasn’t just about changing product focus – it was about fully embracing what I believed in: sustainable fashion, personal expression, and building a community of like-minded individuals. Looking back, what seemed like risks were actually stepping stones, and each pivot brought me closer to where I was meant to be.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

One of my most memorable marketing risks was orchestrating our launch party – the Spooky Circus Spectacular. When you’re launching a sustainable jewelry brand, the expected route might be an elegant cocktail soirée with minimalist decor, but I wanted something that would truly reflect our brand’s personality and create an unforgettable experience.

I envisioned a mysterious, enchanting atmosphere that would mirror the unique character of our vintage pieces. Each of our jewelry pieces tells a story, so why not launch them in an environment that sparks imagination? The Spooky Circus theme was bold – it could either be a magnificent success or raise eyebrows in confusion.

Planning this event meant transforming a venue into an otherworldly circus, complete with carefully curated details that walked the line between eerie and elegant. We displayed our vintage jewelry collections in ways that made them part of the circus narrative – each piece had its own mysterious backstory that tied into the theme.

The risk paid off spectacularly. Guests didn’t just attend an event; they became part of an immersive experience. The unconventional theme created natural conversation starters, and people weren’t just looking at jewelry – they were discovering stories, sharing experiences, and becoming part of our brand’s unique narrative.

What made it truly special was seeing how the event reflected our brand’s core message about individual expression and character. Just as our jewelry pieces are conversation starters, the Spooky Circus Spectacular became a talking point long after the event ended, giving our launch exactly the kind of memorable impact we hoped for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.stackedbyprevail.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stackedbyprevail/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stackedbyprevail
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stackedbyprevail/