Why I Don’t Do Black Friday
And Why That’s a Good Thing 💛
Hey friend!
I'm sure you noticed that every November, our inboxes start to scream SALE! SALE! SALE!, and honestly, it can feel like a bit of a frenzy. The pressure to buy fast, buy more, and buy before it’s “too late.”
Here at CR Studio, I’ve made a big decision: we don’t do Black Friday anymore.
And trust me, it’s not because I don’t love a good deal.
It’s because I’ve learned (the hard way) that sometimes, those big sales can actually hurt a small business like mine, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
I Tried It Once… And It Was Rough
A few years ago, I jumped into the Black Friday madness, thinking it would be a boost for my little business. I imagined meeting new customers and sending my creations to new homes.
But what actually happened? Well… it was rough.
I sold a lot, but I made almost nothing. Marketing costs shot up, and I had to drop the price on some pieces so low that I was literally making zero margin, just to compete with other brands.
It wasn’t just that my products felt devalued. It went against everything I care about: creating small batches with meaning, not feeding a cycle of mass consumption.
So I made a promise to myself: never again.
My creativity, my time, and the exclusivity of my pieces are worth far more than any one-day sale.
The Truth About Big Black Friday Sales
Here’s something most people don’t realise: Black Friday may work for big retailers, but for very different reasons.
They use these huge sales to:
- Clear out old or unsold stock
- Reprice items that were marked up just to make the discount look bigger, or take overpriced items and mark them down for a “big” discount.
- Move huge volumes quickly, even if the profit per item is tiny
For them, it’s all about numbers.
But for a small business like mine, it’s just not the same. I don’t have warehouses full of unsold stock or inflated prices to slash. Every piece I make comes from small batches, real materials, and a lot of time and love.
So when I try to match those big discounts, it doesn’t just cut into a “marketing budget”, it cuts into my craft, my livelihood, and the reason I started this whole thing in the first place.
I Believe in Fair Prices All Year
Everything I make is done in small batches, with materials I trust and time I can stand behind. My prices reflect that; they’re not inflated or random, they’re simply fair and sustainable.
So instead of chasing Black Friday, I prefer offering small, thoughtful discounts throughout the year. That’s my way of saying thank you to the people who support me because they genuinely love what I do, not just because it’s on sale.
I Want You to Shop Joyfully, Not Stressfully
Black Friday can make shopping feel like a race. But I’d rather you buy something that truly makes you happy, something that feels like you.
I don’t know you, but I’m not a fan of buying what’s left on the shelves or from a company’s warehouse. I want you to find something that makes you smile every time you wear it or gift it, something with a little story and soul behind it.
Because when you buy with intention, that piece becomes part of your story, not just another thing in a drawer.
So What’s Happening Instead?
If you’re looking for a little treat (and who could blame you?), don’t worry, I’ve still got some fair and honest offers on my site.
They’re always there for you, no frenzy, no countdowns, no chaos.
So this November, skip the madness.
Choose slow-made. Choose colour. Choose with intention something that feels right for you.
And from the bottom of my heart, thank you for choosing small, choosing kind, and choosing me. 💛
