Highs, Lows & Embracing Vulnerability

Creating something new, be it a product or a project, is like surfing the waves off the Northern California coast. Exhilarating, unpredictable, and you always bring back something to remember. At Cortical Clothing, we’ve ridden these waves. From the euphoric highs of a flow state, where ideas cascade like waterfalls. To the sobering lows that have us questioning if the tide’s gone out on our creativity.

The highs are intoxicating. Those moments when everything clicks. When you feel invincible, as if the universe conspired to make your dreams a reality. But beware, this is also when you’re most vulnerable to the siren call of bias. It’s easy to fall in love with your own ideas. To become deaf to the crucial feedback that could steer you away from the rocks. A repeated reminder that staying grounded isn’t just about keeping your feet on the earth. It’s about keeping your ear to the ground. Listening to the heartbeat of your environment and the whispers of customer needs.

Then come the lows, the inevitable ebb of energy when the initial rush fades into the background hum of reality. This is the grind. The hard yards. Where passion must be paired with perseverance. It’s the time for tough love, honest self-reflection, and those awkward family dinners where you defend your vision with the fervor of a lawyer in the courtroom.

Embracing vulnerability is like creating an alter ego – call it our ‘Sasha Fierce’ – a necessary detachment that allows us to view our brand through the eyes of others without losing ourselves in the process. It’s a delicate dance between authenticity and adaptability. Ensuring that what we bring to the table isn’t just palatable, but nourishing for the soul.

We invite you to join us on this journey. From the gold rush to the tech boom, this land has always been a fertile ground for dreamers. Let’s continue that legacy. Crafting products that aren’t just items of clothing, but pieces of a story.