"Optimists view are able to view rejection as an opportunity to adjust improve, embracing the chance to learn, grow, and try again." - Bert Jacobs
"Rejection is an answer, a solution, being authentic with my journey, no dilution" - RKease
No, No, No, and No again. This has been the journey for what I have endured for the last couple of years operating my business in order to generate revenue as a founder. The only thing that I have heard in these past couple of years is NO. Honestly, it's been phenomenal that I have heard that because it has forced me to pivot, iterate, experiment, and raise my skills in order to conquer this challenge because at the end of the day there are no handouts or excuses. When you are going through the founder's journey, there is so much resistance that you must endure in order to make your dreams come to fruition. At the end of the day, what keeps me going through the rejection is realising that it's my dream and it's up to no one to make it happen for me, but myself.
Reading books has been one of the main reasons why I have been able to get over my stresses, rejection, and setbacks. One of the functions of a founder no matter what anybody says is that you are in the business of sales and marketing, but primarily sales. It's only your responsibility to put yourself out there, in order to actually acquire sales for you to generate revenue and serve the community that you choose. I have learned this the hard way because on my last venture, I wasn't able to achieve my sales targets. This didn't allow me to generate revenue and through that it hurt me when it came to having my bills paid.
One activity that I am going to be more intentional about is the concept of prospecting, which is a sales tactic to be able to engage customers. According to the book, Ziglar on Selling, the term "Prospect", is an individual or a group capable of making the decision on the product or service the salesperson is selling. A prospect has a need for the product, a possible desire to own that product, and the financial capacity to implement that decision (Ziglar 1991). In order to enhance my sales funnel and potential pipeline, I am going to have to go out there and make things happen. No one is going to do it for me, and I will have to prospect. Also in the book, he speaks on having discernment in terms of how you go about propsecting, such as developing soft skills, such as neighbourliness and amicability. Figuring out ways to get your message out there too people who you have developed relationships with and cultivated them with over time.
Going to events, such as Little Engines Live by Kevin Bulmer where I can meet more like-minded business owners is imperative for my business success, and I am going to write a whole blog up on networking soon, so stay tuned for that! Overall, rejection has shaped me, and moulded me, into a better founder, and someone who is willing to take the rejection and bounce back up again. I hope you enjoy the blog and stay tuned for more soon! Peace!
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