Mistakes. They’re the things we all try to avoid but end up facing anyway, especially when building something from the ground up. A quote from the movie The Mechanic captures this truth perfectly: “Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.” Those words have stuck with me because they hit on something real—our best insights often come from the setbacks we never wanted to encounter. Recently, I’ve been reminded of this as I’ve worked to build TOP CTRL, facing unexpected challenges along the way.
Learning from Setbacks with TOP CTRL Merch
When I launched TOP CTRL, I knew quality would be a priority. I wanted to create gear that felt strong and dependable—a reflection of the brand’s core values. But recently, I’ve hit some bumps in the road. Some of the recent bulk orders I received didn’t meet my standards. The embroidery looked sloppy, the materials didn’t have the durability I envisioned, and the overall quality wasn’t something I felt proud to send out to you. For a brand that’s all about quality and resilience, this felt like a failure.
At first, it was tough to see past the disappointment. I wondered what went wrong, where I could have done better, and how I’d missed these flaws before receiving the orders. But as I thought about it more, I realized this was just one of those hard lessons in judgment. The reality is, judgment isn’t something we’re born with; it’s something we earn, often through trial, error, and moments of “bad judgment” that teach us what we truly stand for.
Turning Frustration into Focus
When I came across that quote from The Mechanic, it helped shift my perspective. It’s not about avoiding mistakes; it’s about recognizing them as part of the journey and learning from them. This experience has taught me to be even more intentional with TOP CTRL—to dig deeper into quality control, set clearer standards with suppliers, and never settle for anything that doesn’t align with the brand’s values.
Mistakes are uncomfortable, but they also have a way of showing us what matters most. In this case, the frustration of receiving products that weren’t up to par reinforced my commitment to quality. TOP CTRL isn’t just about clothing; it’s about creating pieces that feel reliable, sturdy, and worth your trust. I want you to feel that every time you put on a TOP CTRL hoodie or track suit. So, while this experience was a setback, it’s also a chance to refocus on delivering the best possible quality and making sure every detail meets that standard.
Why Mistakes Are Stepping Stones to Growth
It’s easy to feel discouraged when things go wrong, especially when you’re building something that represents your values and vision. But setbacks are just moments in time—they don’t define the journey. They’re opportunities to improve, refine, and become more resilient. Each mistake is a stepping stone, guiding us toward the clarity and judgment we need to succeed.
With TOP CTRL, I’m learning that resilience isn’t just about pushing through challenges; it’s about letting those challenges shape us. This recent setback is driving me to revisit my approach to quality, explore new suppliers, and communicate more clearly to ensure that each piece is something I’m proud of. This process is helping me grow not just as a business owner, but as someone who’s committed to delivering value and integrity through every product.
Moving Forward with Better Judgment
The quote from The Mechanic resonates because it’s a reminder that experience—especially the hard-earned kind—is what helps us develop good judgment. As I continue to navigate the ups and downs of building this brand, I’m committed to taking each lesson in stride. For me, this journey isn’t just about making clothes; it’s about making something meaningful that represents strength, quality, and resilience. I’m grateful for the support you’ve shown, and I want to make sure that every item with the TOP CTRL label reflects that gratitude and commitment.
Photo from The Mechanic. Left: Jason Statham. Right: Ben Foster.
Conclusion
Mistakes are inevitable, but they’re also invaluable. They’re the challenges that force us to look closer, dig deeper, and emerge better than before. This recent experience with TOP CTRL merch has shown me that while setbacks are disappointing, they’re also where we gain the judgment, resilience, and insight to move forward. As I continue to build this brand, I’m embracing each lesson, using every challenge as fuel to push for higher standards and better quality.
Thank you for being part of this journey. My promise is to keep learning, improving, and bringing you products that not only look good but stand the test of time. Mistakes might slow us down temporarily, but they won’t stop us. They’re just the stepping stones we need to build something stronger.
~ Take CTRL or Be CTRLD ~