If you're out to up the game, "No" is just a starting point

In my journey as an entrepreneur, if there's one lesson that's shaped me more than any other, it’s this: never take "no" for an answer. This mantra has carried me through the ups and downs of going from launching one startup to now scaling four – all at the same time.

When I first set out on my entrepreneurial journey, I quickly realized that "no" is a word I m going to hear often—whether it’s from potential clients, former colleagues, or even industry acquaintances. The reasons are many but most prominently, it is also because Im no longer represented by a big logo.

So what truly defines your character isn't how many times you hear "no," it's how you respond to it. I often reminded myself that as a young startup and given that the local supplier ecosystem is already quite saturated, doors dont open up that easily. No matter how differentiated our value proposition is. It takes relentless follow-ups until you finally get over the line. Often, i went from replacing a “cold message”, with a “cold call” and if that didn’t work, I went for a “cold meeting.”?

For me, "no" or lack of response from the other side has never been a dead end; it's a signal to pivot, rethink, and find another way forward. You just got to muster up that patience and dial up on hunger to chase opportunities, to keep knocking on doors even when they seem locked. It’s about being relentless in the pursuit, not letting setbacks define the journey—though it's crucial to know when to draw the line and walk away from an opportunity or a connection. However, if you genuinely believe, what you’re offering solves a problem and you have vetted it out, then go all in. There will be someone, who will be willing to give you a chance.

In the early days of platformance.io , I faced countless rejections (still do) — both from potential clients and from talent I approached for hiring on LinkedIn. Each "no" stung, but I soon realized that these moments of resistance weren’t the end—they were just detours. They pushed me to refine the approach, dig deeper, and come back stronger and more determined.

What I've learned is that "no" often means "not yet" or "not this way" or "circle back later." It challenges you to find the opportunity within the obstacle, to see potential where others see dead ends. With the right mindset, "no" isn't a door closing; it’s a window opening.

Entrepreneurship isn’t easy. It comes with a bucket of jobs. It demands discipline, resilience and a constant drive to push forward, even when the odds are stacked against you. If there’s one piece of advice I can share, it’s this: embrace the "no," keep chasing the opportunities others might miss. I was speaking to a colleague the other day and talking about a certain individual in the team who keeps bouncing back and it almost feels, “no matter what, they still have "them" so they will bounce back stronger, the next month.” It is this spirit that makes this hustle so much more rewarding, and fun! Walking into the office everyday and rubbing shoulders with people with such energy is truly contagious.

Every "no" brings you one step closer to a "yes." And that "yes" might just be the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for. Today, we’re fortunate to be sitting on a few breakthroughs, but I still measure myself by how many of those “no's” I can turn into “yeses.”

#keephustling

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