Rejection

Yesterday, I was told by an editorial board for a major wedding website that I wasn’t good enough. But rather than let bad news train wreck my day, it inspired me to work even harder. I hustled until 2:30 am last night, and 4.5 hours later, I was right back at it.

Rejection is part of the game. I’ve been turned down so many times over the years. I remember back to my senior year of high school when I asked three girls to prom, and all three said no. That sucked; sucked even more when my baseball coach benched me that night because I didn’t go to my prom. Honestly, I thought it was kind of fun to sit on the bench, crack jokes, chew sunflower seeds and watch baseball.

About eight years ago, I was laid off — another rejection! 😉 — from the only “real world” job I’ve ever had. As I rode the train home that day, I vowed to turn my little wedding DJ business into a sustainable full-time career. There was much doubt and I was wasting my time because it couldn’t be done. I got to work the very next day; now, I’m proud of the three event industry brands I own in my local market.

My entrepreneurial journey began fourteen years ago in high school; I just didn’t know it at the time. Today, I’m still getting told no, personally and professionally. And that’s okay, because I learned at a young age to NEVER let it get to me. I’ve used it as my fuel for my fire. To keep going, to keep hustling, to keep climbing towards my own mountain top of success.

Because in the end, I’m not looking to prove people wrong. I’m looking to prove myself right.

See you at the top.