November 26, 2021, was Black Friday—the biggest shopping day of the year in the U.S. It’s when retailers typically go from operating “in the red” (losses) to “in the black” (profits). It’s a pivotal day that kicks off the holiday shopping season, one that retailers rely on to end the year strong.

For Constant Mountain, this day was supposed to be a huge milestone: our first Black Friday/Cyber Monday event. But it didn’t happen. Why? Because of a giant red jumpsuit.

What Happened?

Let’s rewind. In 2021, I was still navigating the challenges of manufacturing my first jackets. I had found a fantastic local cut-and-sew manufacturer here in Atlanta. Their quality was excellent, and they were great people to work with—so great, in fact, that their services were in high demand.

Unfortunately, this demand came with consequences. My production run was delayed to make way for costumes for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Yes, you read that right. Drax the Destroyer, Groot, and Star-Lord quite literally bumped my first jacket order to save the galaxy (again).

The jackets didn’t arrive until February 2022. By then, I hadn’t just missed Black Friday—I had missed the entire holiday season and all of winter.

No Hard Feelings (Mostly)

Here’s the thing: I couldn’t even be mad about it. The manufacturer made the right business decision for them. And, honestly, I really wanted to see that movie.

Oh, and that giant red jumpsuit? It belonged to none other than Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer. Let’s just say Drax earned his nickname that year: Drax the Destroyer… of my Black Friday.

 No Hard Feelings (Mostly)

Here’s the thing: I couldn’t even be mad about it. The manufacturer made the right business decision for them. And, honestly, I really wanted to see that movie.

Oh, and that giant red jumpsuit? It belonged to none other than Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer. Let’s just say Drax earned his nickname that year: Drax the Destroyer… of my Black Friday. (fyi... based on this jumpsuit - Dave Bautista really is a giant man)

The Silver Lining

This setback forced me to think long-term. I needed a manufacturing partner who could scale as Constant Mountain grew. While I valued the quality and relationships I had built locally, it became clear that I needed a solution that could handle the demands of a growing business.

That decision paid off. By 2023, Constant Mountain sold 10 times the volume we did in 2022. The missed Black Friday in 2021 was disappointing, but it set the stage for future success.

Lessons Learned

Sometimes, setbacks are the push you need to make a better decision. For me, this experience highlighted the importance of perseverance and finding the silver lining in challenging situations.

And for the record, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was fantastic.

What About You?

Have you ever faced a setback that turned out to be a blessing in disguise? Sometimes the obstacles in your path are what guide you to the right direction. Keep looking on the bright side—you’ve got this!