Xavier senior Alaina Moe transforms her pandemic-era jewelry hobby into Moe & Co., a thriving clothing and jewelry brand with a storefront at the Robinette Center of Innovation, supported by the university community and a $5,000 grant.
Her Story
About Alaina
I am a marketing and social media professional with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for creative content, branding, and community engagement, currently serving as a Social Media Marketing Intern at breakwater accounting and advisory corp, a role I have held since July 2024, where I create content for LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook pages, managing social media presence and brand visibility.
I am also the founder of Moe and Co, a small jewelry and clothing business I established in August 2020, where I design and handmake all pieces and manage all marketing efforts independently. I also served as a Marketing Intern at BrandRank.AI from January to May 2026, where I gained experience in advertising and social media.
Earlier in my career, I served as a Hostess at Kitchen Social for over a year, where I managed front-of-house operations, seating, reservations, and to-go orders, and volunteered as a camp counselor at Round Lake Christian Camp, where I led and mentored middle school girls through activities and worship sessions.
I hold a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Xavier University, which I completed in May 2026.
Across my career in marketing, social media, and entrepreneurship, my work has been driven by a passion for storytelling, brand building, and connecting with audiences through authentic and engaging content. Whether I am managing social media for a company, running my own small business, or leading campers through a transformative week, I bring creativity, initiative, and a dedication to making a positive impact. I am proud of the work I have done throughout my career and excited to continue growing as a marketing professional and entrepreneur.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Alaina
01What do you attribute your success to?
My entrepreneurial spirit since I ran lemonade stands at 8 years old, and my amazing family filled with incredible role models.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Fail with humility. It sounds like terrible advice with all of the negative connotations, but it’s good to fail. It’s important to fail, because that means you tried something. Don’t fail because you gave up, but fail because you gave it everything you had. Then use that experience to fuel your next endeavor.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Start now! If you have an idea, now is as good a time as ever to act on it. Even if it seems small, or seems it’s “already been done”. Start with it, and your business will almost grow itself as you put in your passion and hard work.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is moving out of my current storefront post graduation. I will need to find a new place to open a storefront, but until then, there are so many opportunities in the Cincinnati area for farmer’s markets and other small business oriented events. I am so grateful to live in Cincinnati surrounded by these great organizations!
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my work life, I thrive when I push myself. I never run out of goals to meet, because there are so many to accomplish! I know that what I have at my disposal is worth something, and so I feel a deep responsibility to make a difference with it! In my personal life, I value my relationships with friends and family, and love meeting and connecting with others.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Alaina
Xavier student turns passion into campus storefront
Xavier senior transforms pandemic side hustle into thriving clothing and jewelry brand with storefront opening at Robinette Center of Innovation.
What began during the pandemic as a side hustle on Instagram has become something much bigger for senior Alaina Moe.
Moe & Co. finally came to life with her storefront opening on Sept. 12, marking the next chapter for her clothing and jewelry brand, and a moment reflecting Xavier University's commitment to hands-on learning and supporting students in turning ideas into reality.
Moe started Moe & Co. in high school, hand-making jewelry as a creative outlet during the height of the pandemic. At first, she wasn't sure whether to bring the business with her to Xavier.
"I almost didn't bring it here," Moe said. "But ever since I did, I kept thinking about what the next step was. The fact that I was able to acquire this space and actually start setting up has been so cool."
The Robinette Center of Innovation
The space is located in the Robinette Center of Innovation, where Moe connected with entrepreneurship and management professor Mike Halloran. Halloran, a valuable asset to the Center for Innovation, introduced her to opportunities within the center, including the $5,000 grant for which she applied and was awarded.
"The grant was huge," Moe explained. "Once I received it, I could actually start buying supplies, setting up the space, and really building something. Without Mike and the CFI, I wouldn't have even known this was possible."
The process was not without challenges. Although rewarding in the end, it took her almost all summer to get the store ready for opening day.
"It took almost all summer, but it was fun to do. And I had so much help from my family, friends, and professors along the way," she said.
Something That Means Something
Beyond the storefront, Moe has been working on her brand and the mission behind Moe & Co.: "To create something that means something."
She introduced her first clothing line, Since Forever Ago, which encouraged customers to bring their own story to each piece. One of her campaigns, "What Does It Mean to You?" served as an extension of her brand, showing how each wearer's interpretation of the pieces is different.
"I've always loved brands that have a story behind them," Moe said. "That's what I want Moe & Co. to be-something that means something."
The Xavier Community
The Xavier community has embraced her vision, with professors, peers, and campus organizations supporting her in spreading the word.
"Every single person was so supportive throughout the process. That's what I love about Xavier. It's a small school where word of mouth spreads quickly, and everyone really wants you to succeed."
Looking ahead, Moe hopes to expand Moe & Co. by hosting pop-up shops around campus and in the Cincinnati area. Eventually, she hopes to move into an off-campus storefront. For now, she is focused on ensuring Moe & Co. at the CFI is constantly evolving and maintaining an active Instagram presence, @moeandco_.
"There's always something new," Moe said. "Every sweatshirt is one of a kind, and bracelet designs change with my new drops. I always tell people, don't just come in once. Come back again, because it's going to look different every time."
For Moe, the storefront is more than just a shop. It is a vision that has come to life with time, support, passion, and opportunity.
Discover moe&co, a campus pop-up shop by Xavier senior Alaina Moe featuring handcrafted, thrifted items with unique designs. Learn how passion and entrepreneurship brought her three-year creative journey to life on campus.
Moe&co Styles Xavier Students and Tells a Story
Xavier senior Alaina Moe transforms thrifted pieces into unique, handcrafted designs through her passion-driven pop-up shop.
Recently, campus welcomed a new pop-up shop, moe&co, run by Xavier senior Alaina Moe.
Located in the Center for Innovation building on campus, this shop is a venture that combines creativity, entrepreneurship, and the desire to share unique products with the college community.
Since Forever Ago
Moe explained that her inspiration to start the pop-up shop was a mix of passion and timing. Despite the grand opening of her shop being so recent, moe&co has actually been around for years through her Instagram account, @moeandco_.
When people ask her how long she's been doing this, her response is more reflective: "About three years now. But my honest answer: 'Since forever ago.'"
"My first ever bracelet I made for myself-this was before I had a company-and my friends would just try to buy it off my wrist," Moe said.
"So I was like, okay, maybe this is something that people like, and then I just got creative with designs." Her approach ensures that each item she sells is thoughtful, original, and tailored to her audience.
"Since Forever Ago" is her first line, inspired by doing what she loves and continuing to do what she loves.
Bringing the Shop to Life
After switching her minor from political economy to entrepreneurship in her sophomore year and working with teaching professor Mike Halloran, a Management & Entrepreneurship Taskforce member, it was time to bring Moe's shop to life.
"I just think it has so much more of a personable feel, and that was really just my dream," Moe said. Many of her products start as thrifted pieces, which she transforms by printing distinctive designs onto them, giving each item a one-of-a-kind touch.
When asked what makes her work different from what is already out there, she shared that it is the personal touch in every product. Most of her work is inspired by family, and she hopes to one day create a clothing line dedicated to her father or grandmother. This dedication to authenticity is part of what draws customers to her shop and keeps them coming back.
The process from idea to sale is entirely personal-from selecting thrifted items to adding her own designs and handmade touches before they reach customers.
Selling is not just about the product itself, but the message behind her pieces, connecting with her audience and spreading love in meaningful ways.
More Than a Shop
To Moe, her pop-up shop is more than just a place to buy creative items; it is a reflection of her dedication, values, and entrepreneurial spirit. Each purchase allows students to support a peer pursuing her passion.
This pop-up shop is a reminder that entrepreneurship does not have to wait until after graduation. Sometimes, all it takes is passion, creativity, and the courage to bring your dreams to life. As of right now, the pop-up shop will be open Monday and Wednesday from 12-4 p.m., with hours subject to change.
Discover the heartfelt story behind Moe&Co., where handcrafted jewelry becomes a symbol of spreading love and kindness. A personal journey from grade school bracelets to meaningful fashion that lasts forever.
Since Forever Ago
A journey of spreading love through handmade jewelry, one bracelet at a time.
"Since Forever Ago"
There's something comforting in the unwavering nature of the phrase.
When people ask me what Moe&Co. is about, I tell them it's about making everyday jewelry that people want to wear, but it's also really about spreading love and spreading the Word.
Then most people will ask, "How long have you been doing this?"
My realistic reply: "About three years now."
But my honest answer:
"Since forever ago."
I've always been encouraged by the idea of giving back kindness and goodness into the world, but I never knew where to start. I feel that Moe&Co. is a way that I can actually do that.
A few years back, I was trying to come up with ways I could create something that means something-trying to figure out my purpose among a sea of people who had already begun acting on theirs.
I started out simple: selling beaded bracelets out of my backpack in grade school.
Shortly after my first few sales, I noticed that my customers wore Moe&Co. bracelets as soon as they got them, which pleased me and gave me a feeling of success. After a few more sales, I noticed that the bracelets weren't coming off.
Without much initial thought, I kept making sales, and I kept seeing more and more people wearing Moe&Co., either on their own or mixed in with other bracelets on their wrists.
People started telling me that they wore their bracelets every day and never took them off. To me, this was proof of the success of my designs.
From then on, as I continued to pass by people wearing Moe&Co., or catch a glimpse of my jewelry in a posted photo, I felt as though I had truly started something that means something. And I wanted to find a way to make it mean more, so I designed a clothing line that does just that.
"Since forever ago" means everything.
It describes the love you have for someone. It describes the time you've spent somewhere. It describes the length of your life that you've felt a certain way.
But above all, it is unwavering and infinite.
It means everything.
What does it mean to you?
As I put my heart into everything that I make, I feel as though I've succeeded in spreading love and spreading the Word, and I will do it forevermore.
- Moe&Co., "Since Forever Ago"
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