The Dirty Work No One Talks About
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Why people quit in the waiting phase
I came back to Hong Kong after six weeks in Belgrade and London, ready to get back to my routine. I had meetings lined up – manufacturers I'd promised to see, an agent I'd been introduced to through my technical lingerie specialist.
It was the first time I'd been "away" for that long. And the first time I could afford it since leaving my 9-5 to start this business.
The truth is – it's not easy waiting for replies. Hoping one manufacturer is going to be the one. Turns out, some simply don't have the resources to do a high-quality product. Some are too big to dedicate time to a small player like me. Some are just used to doing things their own way and don't want to change.
The Craftsmanship Reality
Lingerie is one of the most complex categories to produce. It requires specific machinery, advanced technologies, and expert technologists – especially when it comes to bra fitting. As one industry expert ,who I came across on LinkedIn, put it t
"Bra construction is an art form. As every woman knows, the wrong fit can ruin the entire experience."
I knew I couldn't do this alone. So I hired a technical consultant to help tighten the construction of the bra. To make it seamless. To make it highly aesthetically pleasing. To make sure it actually works.
That was one of the best decisions I made. Because good design doesn't happen by accident. It happens when you bring in people who know what they're doing.
The Waiting Phase
This is where people quit.
Not at the beginning, when everything is exciting. Not at the end, when you can see the finish line. But here – in the middle. Waiting for replies. Waiting for samples. Waiting for someone to say yes.
It's excruciating because you don't know what's coming. You're investing time, energy, hope – and you have no idea if it will pay off.
I'm not a patient person. It took me months to understand how this game works. The waiting is okay if you know what's coming. But the uncertainty? That's what makes it painful.
What I Learned
The waiting forced me to learn. I'm better at negotiating now. I know what I want and how it needs to be done. I can spot a manufacturer who's just saying yes from one who actually cares.
I've done two rounds of sampling. I know how my product is coming to life. I know what needs fixing. And ultimately, I know what it takes.
For me, there's no going back at this point.
The Dirty Work
This phase – whatever you call it – is where the unsexy work happens. A LOT of it. No one tells you about it when you start.
Right now, I'm ordering Pantone cutouts for my fabric manufacturers. Sending emails. Following up. Following up again.
It's not glamorous. But it's the work that makes it real.
Why People Quit
People quit in this phase because the excitement wears off and the reality sets in. The waiting. The uncertainty. The fear that it might not work out.
But here's what I've learned: the waiting is part of the process. It's not a sign that you're failing. It's a sign that you're building something real.
And if you can get through this part – if you can keep sending emails, keep following up, keep believing – you'll come out the other side with something that's actually worth building.
If you're in this phase too – waiting, hoping, wondering if it's worth it – I see you. Keep going.