We were lucky to catch up with Ebony Alston recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ebony, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear from you about what you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry and why it matters.

What Corporate America often gets wrong about the pet fashion industry is assuming it’s just “cute stuff for small dogs.” They miss the depth, the demand, and the diversity of today’s pet parents.

Not everyone wants boring pet clothes with thin material and a high price tag. People want bold, quality fashion that reflects their style—and they want their pets, big or small, to match that energy. I have a client that’s a Cane Corso who loves getting dressed. But most big dog owners get overlooked, as if fashion is only for Yorkies in tutus. That’s just not true.

At Disorderly Chic Pets, we serve the dogs that want to be fashionable —whether they’re petite or powerful. One time at an event, I dressed a vendor’s dog in one of my custom tutu shirts. When the owner returned, her dog refused to wear her old dress—she literally bit at it. We laughed, but it was a moment of clarity. Even the dog knew that this brand hit different.

One of my most memorable clients is a beautiful Cane Corso who completely changed the way people view fashion for large breeds. I designed a custom coat and a few statement pieces for her—including a tutu that was so bold, it could’ve easily fit me. But when she wears them, something shifts.

The moment her owner puts on one of her custom outfits, she lights up. She walks differently. She poses. And the best part? She never wants to take them off. Literally—she’ll refuse to let them undress her.

It’s funny and endearing, but it also speaks to something deeper. Disorderly Chic Pets is about more than pet fashion—it’s about identity, confidence, and self-expression. Even large breeds like Cane Corsos deserve the spotlight. And when she steps out in her look, it’s clear—she knows she’s that dog.

To me, it often feels like the corporate pet fashion industry treats pets as an afterthought—designing clothing as if it’s just something to “throw together.” The options are usually uninspired, poor quality, and overpriced. I always say, “We buy from the pet store out of desperation—not because we love it, but because there’s nothing else to choose from.” That’s exactly why Disorderly Chic Pets exists—to give pet parents fashion they’re proud of, and pets designs that feel just as expressive, elevated, and bold as we are.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Ebony Alston, and I’m the founder and designer behind Disorderly Chic Pets—a custom pet fashion boutique that blends bold style, creative storytelling, and emotional healing. I specialize in creating one-of-a-kind apparel and accessories for dogs—especially large breeds—that reflect confidence, individuality, and joy.

Disorderly Chic Pets was born from a place of pain. After losing my father, sister, and uncle all within months of each other to heart failure, I was told my own heart was functioning at just 45%. I was grieving deeply, and I needed something that gave me purpose. Designing became that outlet. It was a way to process the pain while building something beautiful.

My discipline and craft is rooted in pet styling and fashion design. I take sourced base pieces and elevate them with custom embellishments, layering textures and bold details to create pieces that stop people in their tracks. I rarely duplicate any look—because I believe no two pets should ever look the same. My designs include custom denim, birthday looks, Mommy & Me shirts, faith-based pet fashion, anime collections, and more.

I solve the problem of bland, overpriced, mass-produced pet fashion—especially for larger breeds. Most pet owners are used to shopping out of desperation, just grabbing what’s available at the pet store. Disorderly Chic changes that. When you shop here, you’re stepping into something personal, premium, and fashion-forward.

What sets me apart is my heart and vision. I don’t just sell clothes—I create moments. I’m known for my ability to make pets feel like superstars, and their owners feel like they’ve found something truly special. People always say, “I’ve never seen anything like this before.” That’s exactly what I set out to do—bring something fresh to the industry that had never been seen.

What I’m most proud of is that I didn’t give up. I started this business grieving, broke, and unsure of myself. I didn’t grow up around entrepreneurship. My father couldn’t read or write, and my mother never finished middle school. But I kept going. Even through heart surgery, I continued creating, vending, and sewing. I’m learning as I grow—and I’ve built something that my children can inherit. My son 10 year old son Dallas is my business partner. He has created his own anime collection, his own business cards, and he joins me at events. My daughter helps set up and learns the ropes too. I’m breaking generational curses, one event and one sale at a time.

And what I want potential clients and followers to know is this: Disorderly Chic Pets isn’t just a boutique—it’s a movement. It’s about faith, family, style, and expression. Once you shop here, you’ll never want to go back. The days of buying pet fashion out of desperation are over. So be careful opening Pandora’s box—because after this, boring just won’t cut it.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that hard work alone—especially for someone else—is the only path to stability. I come from a family where entrepreneurship wasn’t modeled. My father couldn’t read or write. My mother never finished middle school. We were raised on survival, not vision. Just work, work, work.

When I started Disorderly Chic Pets in June 2023, I was grieving the loss of my father and sister. I didn’t know myself. I didn’t know business. I was designing off of emotion and fumes. The first year was all events and creativity—I was just trying to keep going.

This year, everything shifted. I joined the BombCEO community and began taking my business education seriously. It’s like I went backwards—last year was all about designing and selling, but this year is about *learning.* I’ve realized my audience isn’t where I live, which is why I’ve started vending in Atlanta and New York. I no longer go to events just because it’s an event. Now, I ask: am I networking? Is this aligned?

Someone once told me, ‘It’s always the thing that leads to the thing,’ and that’s how I’m moving now—with strategy. I know my designs aren’t for everybody. Some people want the basics from the store—but my client isn’t basic. This year, I’m learning how to find that client. How to post on social media the right way. How to grow my brand in ways I’ve never known. Because I know how to design—but now, I’m learning how to build a business.

That’s the lesson I had to unlearn: That survival is enough. I’m not here to survive—I’m here to build legacy, strategically and unapologetically.
Another major lesson I had to unlearn was undervaluing myself and my work. For a long time, I kept my prices extremely low—partly out of fear, partly out of wanting to give everyone a discount. I thought if I made my prices affordable for everyone, more people would support me. But all it did was leave me constantly spending out of pocket, never making what I put in, and feeling drained. I was selling myself short.

Even now, I’m still unlearning that mindset. I’m still reminding myself that my prices are my prices—and I’m worth it. People will sometimes send kind messages just to soften me up for a discount, and then never post or tag me once they receive the item. I had to stop letting people take advantage of me and start honoring my value.

I also had to unlearn the idea that I needed to be at every event. I was burning myself out showing up everywhere, and most of the time, I was barely breaking even. Now, I’ve learned to be more strategic. Just because someone invites me doesn’t mean I need to go. Sometimes, it’s better to attend as a guest, not a vendor—and preserve my energy for moments that actually move the business forward.

This season has taught me that success isn’t about being everywhere or giving everything away. It’s about knowing your worth, honoring your work, and moving with purpose.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I had heart surgery and still showed up to work my business. I had just started Disorderly Chic Pets a few months after losing my father, my sister, and my uncle . In the middle of my grief, I was told my heart was failing. It was functioning at just 45%, and I had to undergo heart surgery to correct the electrical system.

But even during recovery, I kept going. I was still sewing, still attending events, and still showing up. I remember being in pain and completely exhausted, but I knew I couldn’t stop. This business became a lifeline for me—it gave me purpose when I felt like I had none. I didn’t have a business degree or a roadmap, just raw determination and a vision that wouldn’t let me quit.

I go to events where it takes me months to sew these intricate designs, and most of the time, I break even. I’ve paid $900 just to attend these Pet events for three days only to make $1,000, but I still show up. People always say, ‘I don’t know why you’re not sold out,’ and I smile and say, ‘God is teaching me patience.’ I know he’s working something in me. So I keep listening—asking, ‘Lord, where do you want me to go next?’

I know in my heart that my brand will be in stores one day. It’s just one step at a time. Whether things sell or not, I keep going. I choose to believe. And that belief is what keeps me resilient.
Another layer of my resilience comes from the fact that I’m also a full-time federal worker. Balancing that alone is a lot—living paycheck to paycheck, barely making ends meet, and still trying to pour into a business that requires time, money, and emotional energy. Add grief to that mix, and it becomes a daily battle. I’ve lost 18 loved ones in three years, I’ve cried in silence, and yet, I show up. As a mother. As a wife. As a business owner. As a woman who refuses to quit.

What’s even harder is doing all of this while being told at work that I could lose my job at any moment. That looming threat chips away at your peace. And when I’m under heavy stress, my creativity fades. But I still try. I still dig deep to find it, because I know what I’ve been called to do. Disorderly Chic Pets was never just about fashion—it was about survival, healing, and building a legacy. So I push through. Even when it’s hard to think. Even when I don’t feel inspired. I show up. Because this dream matters—and so do the people it’s going to bless.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.disorderlychic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/disorderly_chicpets?igsh=MWFiZG1mangxNGQycw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18wrVu2nFN/?mibextid=wwXIfr