Let’s talk about preorders.
Because lately, I’ve been staring at my laptop, my cart full of gorgeous pieces I want to bring into the world, and whispering to myself, “Should I just… do a preorder?” And then immediately spiraling into 37 reasons why I absolutely should not. And then back again.
Here’s the thing: I’m launching my first full clothing drop. It’s cute. It’s cozy. It’s elevated loungewear, rompers, sets—all the stuff I wish I had in my closet every day. But let’s be real: inventory is not cheap. And while I’d love to just click “order” on everything and have it all magically show up in perfect packaging, the reality is—I don’t have a fairy godmother. I have a GoFundMe and a dream.
So naturally, the idea of a preorder has been tap dancing through my brain.
It’s smart, right? I wouldn’t have to pay upfront for stock I’m not even sure people want (hi, my name is Cristina and I have trust issues… mostly with myself but also with the algorithm). It would help me gauge interest. It would give me room to breathe financially.
But then that little voice creeps in:
“What if no one orders?”
“What if they don’t want to wait?”
“What if I look like I don’t have my sh*t together?”
(And like, to be fair… do I? Let’s circle back to that later.)
The truth is, I’ve spent YEARS selling graphic tees, fanmade merch, custom pieces—all while being a full-time mom, running on low sleep and high anxiety. I’ve printed shirts with quotes from Buffy and Bravo and Taylor Swift and watched women light up because they felt seen. That’s the energy I want to bring into this drop.
But a preorder feels risky. Vulnerable. Like standing in front of the internet in a cute outfit asking, “Do you like me? Enough to pay now and wait a few weeks?” 😅
And yet—don’t we do that all the time in life? Bet on ourselves before the proof shows up?
So here I am, asking myself:
-Is a preorder a smart business move or a fear-based delay?
-Will people support the vision if I open up and explain the why?
-Or am I just afraid of being seen trying?
If you’re reading this, maybe you’ve been in a similar spot. Maybe you’ve stood at the edge of a dream, trying to decide if now is the moment to leap, or if you need to wait for a little more certainty that may never come.
Maybe the preorder is the leap.
Or maybe I’m just spiraling again.
Either way, stay tuned. Because whether I click “launch preorder” or not, I promise the collection is coming—and it’ll be worth the wait. 💖
Now excuse me while I refresh my GoFundMe page and continue to spiral.
xo-Cristina
