2024 Brand Anthem

Ernest History

Dig deep into the roots of Ernest, founded by two brothers in a one-car garage back in 1946. From this humble beginning in post-WWII Los Angeles, take a trip down memory lane to see how Ernie and Chuck created a company that now spans the nation. Show more Show less

Ernie & Chuck Wilson Start Ernest Paper Products, Inc.

Fresh out of the service in WWII, Ernie Wilson founded Ernest Paper Products, Inc. Total employees? Two: him and his younger brother, Chuck. Learn how these 20-something veterans started a business from a one-car garage with a valuation of a whopping $5,000 and grew it to what it is today. And see why Chuck is most proud of helping other people grow, too.

The Two Wilson Brothers in WWII.

When Ernie Wilson enlisted in the Air Force to fight against the Nazis in WWII, his brother should have gotten a deferment to care for their mother, Minnie. But as the war dragged on, more soldiers were needed. So Charles took a special officers’ training course before joining the Army in 1944. Hear the brothers’ incredible story of heroism and survival.

How a Widowed Mother Persevered in the Great Depression.

It was a tough and complicated time for many, but with a strong mom named Minnie, nothing was impossible. After the death of the husband and father, Sam Wilson, this Jewish family was embraced by the Mormon community in Salt Lake City. See how the struggle of the Great Depression shaped who the Wilson brothers became.

Humble Beginnings: Three Generations of Wilsons.

Sam Wilson, a Polish immigrant, arrived in Halifax, Canada in the early 1900s. He eventually made his way to Salt Lake City, where he started his own hardware store called Noah’s Ark. After marrying Minnie and having two boys, Ernie and Chuck, Sam passed away just a year after the Great Depression began in 1930. Explore the full story of the extended Wilson family.