HOW TO KEEP EMOTIONS OUT OF BUSINESS

If you want to succeed in business, you’d better develop a?thick skin. I don’t mean literally, of course (although you might want to toughen up in the physical sense too, depending on what field you’re in!). What I mean is:?business is tough—and to succeed, you need the mental resilience to handle criticism, rejection, and setbacks without letting them derail you.

As someone who’s spent decades building a business, I’ve had my fair share of tough moments:?challenging customers, competitors, rejections from suppliers, and the inevitable risks and losses that come with the entrepreneurial journey. But through it all,?the ability to stay composed and persevere?has been one of the key factors that has kept me going—and helped me succeed.

Having a thick skin is one of the most underrated but crucial skills in business.?It’s not about being impervious to emotions or criticism—it’s about being able to handle difficult situations with grace, learn from them, and move forward stronger than before.

In business, you’re going to face plenty of tough situations.?Rejection, failure, negative feedback, and criticism?are all part of the journey. Whether you're selling to a customer, ?launching a product, negotiating with partners, or building a brand, you will be judged, questioned, and at times, knocked down.

But here's the thing:?None of these challenges define you unless you let them. Having a thick skin means that you don’t take things personally. It means you understand that criticism is often about the?situation, not about you as a person. It means you don’t get bogged down by negativity—you?learn from it, adjust, and move forward.

Here’s why a thick skin is vital:

1. Rejection and Setbacks are Inevitable

In business, you will face rejection.?Investors will say "No," clients may walk away or buy from someone else when you have done all the hard work, competitors will pop up, and things won’t always go as planned.??Instead of letting rejection discourage you, a thick skin allows you to keep your focus. You learn to accept setbacks as part of the process and stay determined to continue working toward your goals.

For me, hearing "No" has always meant “Next Opportunity.” When my husband I started Hirsch’s, there were many obstacles to overcome, however, ?rather than giving up, I saw it as a sign to innovate, learn from mistakes, and improve my approach.?Every rejection pushed us to get better.

2. Feedback Isn’t Always Easy to Take, But It’s Valuable

Constructive feedback is one of the best ways to improve. But let’s face it—sometimes it’s hard to hear, especially if you’re emotionally invested in your business. Negative comments about something you’ve worked hard on, or criticism from a colleague, can sting.?But if you’re able to separate your personal feelings from the situation, you can turn that feedback into something positive.

Having a thick skin doesn’t mean you’re indifferent to criticism—it means that you can hear it, absorb it, and?use it to your advantage. If I hadn’t learned to handle criticism in a productive way, Hirsch’s wouldn’t be where it is today. It’s been the ability to learn from feedback—whether from employees, customers, or partners—that has shaped the way we do business.

3. Your Competitors Are Not Always Your Friends

Business is a competitive world. Whether you’re in a fast-moving industry or a niche market, there will always be rivals trying to outdo you, undercut you, or beat you to the punch.?Competition can sometimes feel like a personal attack. But here’s the reality:?It’s not personal at all.

Having a thick skin means understanding that competition is a natural part of business—and it’s what drives you to improve. Instead of being discouraged or upset by your competition’s success, use it as motivation to work harder, think smarter, and deliver a better product or service. The true test of success isn’t how well you can compete—it’s how well you handle the challenges that arise when your competitors push you to be your best.

How to Develop a Thick Skin

Now, you might be thinking,?"That’s easier said than done. How do I develop a thick skin?"?Here are some strategies that have helped me—and others I know—develop the resilience needed to thrive in business.

1. Shift Your Mindset

Developing a thick skin starts with mindset.?Don’t take things personally. Remember that criticism is not an attack on your character, but rather an opportunity to learn and improve. If you can look at criticism, rejection, and challenges as?learning experiences?rather than obstacles, you’ll be able to weather the storms without being knocked off course.

2. Build Emotional Resilience

Emotional resilience is your ability to stay calm and focused when faced with adversity. The more you practice handling difficult situations with a clear mind and a level head, the better you’ll become at navigating challenges. This doesn’t mean you won’t feel frustration or disappointment—it just means you’ll be better equipped to bounce back quickly and keep moving forward. At Hirsch's we anchor ourselves by making a fist and thinking about something that really makes you smile – this can take you from a really bad mood to a fantastic mood in seconds.

When faced with a tough situation, take a deep breath, step back, and evaluate it from a broader perspective.?Ask yourself, “What can I learn from this? How can I use this experience to grow?”

3. Focus on the Bigger Picture

One of the best ways to handle criticism and setbacks is to keep your eyes on the bigger picture.?Don’t let a bad day, a tough conversation, or a rejection cloud your vision for the future.?Keep your goals front and centre, and remember that?one moment of negativity does not define your entire journey.

At Hirsch’s, we always have a long-term view. Every setback was a temporary issue that didn’t change our larger mission to build a trusted brand, deliver excellent service, and provide quality appliances.?Having a bigger vision keeps you from getting stuck in the moment.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Fail

This might sound counterintuitive, but the more you embrace the possibility of failure, the easier it will be to handle setbacks.?Failure is not the end; it’s just part of the process. Instead of fearing failure, see it as?an opportunity to grow?and refine your approach. The most successful entrepreneurs are the ones who have failed the most—and learned from each failure and moved on to succeed later.

5. Surround Yourself with Positive Influences

Having a support network can help you stay resilient in the face of adversity. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, challenge you, and offer valuable perspectives when things go wrong. Whether it’s mentors, peers, or a supportive team, having positive influences around you makes a huge difference when you need to stay strong.

In business, you’re going to face difficult moments. You’ll hear “No,” you’ll get negative feedback, and you’ll experience setbacks.?But your ability to handle these challenges—without letting them derail you—will determine your success.

A thick skin isn’t about being cold or indifferent—it’s about being?mentally resilient. It’s about learning to handle rejection, criticism, and failure with grace, and using them as fuel to keep moving forward. If you can develop that mindset, you’ll find that the setbacks only make you stronger and more determined.

So, the next time you face a tough situation in business, remember:?It’s not about avoiding failure—it’s about how you respond to it.?With a thick skin, you’ll keep going, keep growing, and ultimately, achieve the success you’re striving for.

And always remember, when you hear NO – it only means Next Opportunity.

Much Love,

Margaret Hirsch