From someone who knows what that feels like.
I’ll be honest — this isn’t the kind of post I thought I’d write when I started my brand.
I had this idea that if I built something real, something with style, purpose, and culture behind it — people would just get it.
And some did. But not enough. Not fast.
And now I’m here.
Still showing up. Still building. Still pushing.
Even when I’m tired.
This post is for anyone who’s in that same place right now.
Because here’s the truth I’ve had to face lately:
It’s not the work that breaks you — it’s the silence.
When you post and there’s no response.
When you drop something you’re proud of and it doesn’t move.
When you’re trying to market, design, package, and promote… and the return just doesn’t match the energy.
It’s hard.
And I’ve been feeling it.
People see the product, not the pressure.
They see the brand — but they don’t see the late edits, the quiet days with no orders, the overthinking.
They don’t see what it’s like to feel invisible.
To feel like what you’re creating should be winning — but it’s not… yet.
And some days, yeah, I think about stopping.
But I don’t.
Why? Because I didn’t come this far just to fold.
CIK Eyewear isn’t just a sunglasses brand.
It’s a reflection of everything I stand on.
Even when it’s quiet.
Even when I’m tired.
Even when I feel like no one’s watching.
If you’re building something right now — I know what that feels like.
You're not lazy.
You're not unmotivated.
You're carrying a vision no one else can see yet. That’s not easy.
But it’s worth it.
So, here’s what I’ve learned — the realest way I can say it:
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Don’t wait on perfect. Just keep showing up.
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Don’t assume no one’s watching — people see more than they say.
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Don’t quit before the people you're building for even get a chance to find you.
Final Word:
I'm tired, but I’m not done.
Because I believe in what I’m building — and I know, deep down, someone out there is going to feel that.
So, I’m going to keep showing up.
And if you're reading this and you needed to hear it —
You should too.
We don’t stop because it’s hard.
We stop when the work is done.
And mine isn’t done yet.