Allison Ernst shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Allison, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
As an entrepreneur, my days are beautifully unpredictable, but they always begin the same way—with my two cats serving as the world’s most effective (and demanding) alarm clock, screaming for their morning treats. After feeding them, I head outside to care for the 15 feral cats in my neighborhood that I’ve taken under my wing. It’s a responsibility I gladly embrace.
Once the feline brigade is satisfied, I carve out time for household tasks and catch up on current events, then dive into reviewing social media strategies, refining marketing plans, and identifying new business opportunities.
My professional focus has expanded since becoming a licensed Florida real estate specialist. My office days are packed with client meetings, property viewings, and all the moving parts that come with real estate transactions. But even within this structured environment, I’m constantly developing creative community initiatives—like the sustainable clothing swap, “The” Swap Soirée, I co-founded, which has already diverted over 1,000 pieces from becoming fashion waste.
Collaboration energizes me, whether I’m partnering with other small businesses on interactive pop-up experiences or working with my friend April from fayVen on our latest venture, Common Grounds Coffee Club—a space where entrepreneurs gather to mastermind, sip exceptional coffee, and strategize their next moves.
When I’m not immersed in business, you’ll find me volunteering for animal welfare causes—coordinating events, fundraising, or creating content for rescue organizations. I’m particularly excited about promoting our second annual Meow Mix & Mingle Ybor bar crawl, benefiting the local animal rescue Mercy Full Project.
Even my downtime is productive. Evening happy hours with friends aren’t just about unwinding—we’re constantly brainstorming, collaborating, and dreaming up what’s next. In my world, every conversation has the potential to spark the next big idea.
It’s organized chaos with a clear purpose: building community, supporting causes I believe in, and turning every day into an opportunity for impact.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello, I’m Allison Ernst, founder of Stacked by Prevail! I’m a retail industry veteran with over 20 years of experience, having worked everywhere from major corporations to multi-million dollar women’s boutiques. Along the way, I made company history by becoming the first woman to hold two different corporate leadership roles.
What drives me is finding creative ways to make an impact—whether that’s promoting sustainability, supporting animal welfare, strengthening community connections, or championing other small businesses. In 2024, I successfully rebranded and launched Stacked by Prevail with a spectacular spooky circus-themed event that perfectly captured our unique energy.
I’m excited to be introducing our new mastermind group to Tampa and continuously expanding our ecosystem of offerings. Everything we do is designed to bring people together while creating meaningful change in our community.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was a really sad person. Seriously. I had all the wrong focus, the wrong people in my life, no ambition, no goals—just this constant loneliness and searching for fulfillment in all the wrong places and relationships.
Everything changed after my father passed away in April 2020. I was in a terrible relationship in Nashville at the time, but his death gave me clarity. I made the decision to leave and start over back in my hometown of St. Louis, Missouri.
That move allowed me to hit the reset button on my entire life. I invested in myself through therapy, made healthier life choices, established true independence, quit smoking cigarettes, and most importantly—I finally learned to love myself. That was the game changer.
This transformation is how Stacked by Prevail was born, because to prevail means to overcome. Life is a wild ride and too short to be filled with misery—at least that’s been my experience. My life has so much more quality now than ever before, and I’m genuinely happy to share this version of myself with the world.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
This journey began as I emerged from my own path of healing and transformation. “To prevail” means to overcome against all odds—and that became our foundational value because I’ve lived it. Through navigating my own obstacles and challenges, I discovered that true strength comes not from avoiding difficulties, but from moving through them with purpose. Every challenge I worked through led me to a healthier mentality and lifestyle, but more importantly, it showed me that our struggles can become our greatest sources of strength.
That healing process taught me that recovery isn’t just about personal growth—it’s about rising into a way of being that allows you to help others do the same. It gave me a deeper understanding that we all deserve second chances, whether we’re people rebuilding our lives or rescued animals finding new homes. That’s why community and support became everything to us, and why Stacked by Prevail was built on the foundation that together, we can turn our obstacles into opportunities and stack our lives with purpose.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. Authenticity isn’t just one of the best marketing tools—it’s the only way I know how to show up, and honestly, it’s how you build genuine community. People can sense when someone is being genuine versus putting on a show, and they don’t just resonate with someone they can see themselves in; they connect with someone who’s brave enough to be real about their journey, including the messy parts.
When I share my healing story, talk about the challenges of building a business, or express my passion for second chances and rescued animals, I’m not crafting a brand persona—I’m being me. Those experiences shaped who I am and what Stacked by Prevail stands for. When people see themselves reflected in your story—your struggles, your growth, your values—that’s when real connection happens.
My vulnerability creates genuine connections because everyone has struggles, everyone is trying to prevail in their own way. And when I show up as my real self, it gives others permission to be authentic too. That’s how we build a community where everyone feels they belong. People don’t just buy products; they invest in stories and values they believe in. That’s the foundation of everything we do.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What will you regret not doing?
My biggest regret would be not having the courage to advocate for myself and take action when my situation stops serving my growth, values, or potential. Too many people stay trapped in roles that don’t honor their strengths or with companies that view employees as expendable rather than valuable humans with lives outside work. I refuse to waste years in positions that don’t tap into my best abilities or with organizations that don’t respect work-life balance—that’s a disservice to myself and what I’m capable of achieving.
I’ve had the courage to reset my career several times when happiness and fulfillment were missing, and each scary pivot brought me closer to my true purpose. Each change led me to where I am now, and I can’t imagine settling for anything less. Now I get to do what I’m passionate about—making a real, tangible difference in my community, lifting up and supporting other small businesses, and championing sustainability. This is what meaningful work looks like.
Life’s too short to spend it in spaces that drain your energy instead of fueling your passion. The question isn’t whether change is risky; it’s whether you can afford not to change when your current path isn’t leading where you want to go. That’s worth every career pivot I’ve made, and I’d regret never taking those risks to find work that truly matters.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stackedbyprevail.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stackedbyprevail/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stackedbyprevail/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stackedbyprevail
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@stackedbyprevail
Image Credits
Peli Productions, Ashlee Hamon Photography, Jose Lopez
