Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Adorni
Hi Nick, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My background is very diverse, and it’s not something that a lot of people really know. My roots in Orlando run deep, as I first came here to work in the mid 2000s as a College Program Cast Member at Walt Disney World, completing two separate programs. Post graduation in 2009, I was chosen to be an intern with the Orlando Magic on the website team during the 09-10’ season as Kia Center (originally Amway Center) was nearing completion on its construction. After those first three stints in Orlando, I spent the next 11 years in Denver, Colorado where I started my original graphic and web design business. Owning my own business provided opportunities to do other things, so I took some chances and started working in event marketing and event management. I took on nearly any opportunity that knocked, and I found myself burning the candle at both ends. Within a month, I could have worked on branding for a small business, built a new website, and created some vehicle wraps or large format signage, all while living out of a hotel for nearly 14 days a month in other states working at events for 10+ hours a day.
All of that experience culminated in the creation of Comeleon Supply Co., which was officially launched in late 2023. This was something I was considering doing for many years, as the two arms of my career were leading me to a converging point. Until that point I had to rely on other vendors to create products, and I found myself giving away less than desirable items during marketing promotions. I knew there was an opportunity to bridge the gap I saw: provide products for both retail and promotional purposes that were higher quality, could be customized beyond traditional imprint locations, and could be obtained in smaller quantities. I knew many businesses skipped on branded goods due to the higher cost associated with smaller quantities that didn’t always make sense for their needs, or they didn’t want to sit on inventory. By leveraging my design background, I could stay small and nimble, providing clients with high end, completely custom products at prices and minimums that they could afford whenever their needs arose.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been a rocky road, even with all of the confidence that this business model provided opportunities for small businesses to dip their toes into branded goods. Adoption of a new concept is never quick, as every small business or brand has different needs at different times, so getting initial orders was challenging. Offering custom products is challenging since there are endless items that can be customized, so it was difficult to hone in on any one thing to start getting orders coming through. I spent a lot of time and money on creating customized sample sets for key contacts in my network so they could physically touch and feel what I was conveying via digital decks and the website.
It paid off, as I was fortunate to get work from my existing network in year one to help showcase the capabilities and potential, which was necessary to give other brands and businesses the confidence that I can deliver on my promises. I now have some great clients that I’ve worked with on multiple occasions, but I am constantly out networking and meeting new people every chance I get.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a creative first, primarily specializing in small business, starting with branding and moving into websites, large format print, and vehicle wraps to name a few things. I’ve designed countless brand identities, websites, vehicle wraps, and many kinds of printed collateral across multiple states and sizes of businesses. But when I wasn’t doing design, I was busy bringing events and experiential marketing programs to life. I’ve traveled the country, spoken with thousands of consumers, represented many major brands, and worked on all kinds of events and festivals.
I’m most proud of the risks that I’ve taken, even if it didn’t make sense from an outsider perspective. So much of what I know has come from the experiences of trying new things, which put me into countless situations of having to problem solve on my feet, remain cool under pressure, and create solutions that were beneficial to all parties involved. It allows me to seamlessly move from one need to the other, like driving a forklift at an event one minute to speaking in a client-facing role the next, or spending time in the studio making products in the morning before selling them to the public later in the day. Adaptability continues to become a bigger strength to have each year.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
There’s many along the way, starting with the support of my mom, dad, and grandparents during my upbringing. They were always supportive of whatever I wanted to try, from sports to the way in which my college path ultimately took. There’s so many people over the years that saw what I can do and are supportive of my efforts still today. Shout outs to Tim, Marcus, and Dan from my Colorado days.
Locally, I’ve been really fortunate to find support in a shorter amount of time. The crew at Tactical Brewing Co. in Baldwin Park, my first retail account, has been incredibly supportive. Doug Meyer and Kreis Holland have trusted me to take their brand into physical goods, and Brie Berenstel has been a huge supporter of my digital efforts and opening doors in the local brewery space. Anton Duong and Chris Lau from StickerPrintGo are two friends I’ve known for years and who have been supporting me as I’ve been closely following their footsteps as they’ve built their own brand at StickerPrintGo.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://comeleonsupplyco.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comeleonsupplyco/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickadorni/
- Other: https://nickadorni.com/
Image Credits
Brie Berenstal
Shannon Ball
