Episode #421: How to Handle Rejection (From the Archives)

What if rejection isn’t a sign that you’re doing something wrong—but simply part of building a business?

In this special From the Archives episode of The Business of Thinking Big, Lianne Kim revisits one of her favorite episodes, originally recorded in April 2021 and titled “Reframing Rejection.” She shares why hearing “no” can feel especially personal when you’re selling your own services, and how learning to emotionally detach from the outcome can completely change the way you approach sales.

Whether you’re hearing “no” on sales calls, funding applications, speaking opportunities, partnerships, or new offers, rejection is something every entrepreneur will experience. The goal isn’t to avoid it—it’s to learn from it, keep going, and recognize that a “no” to your offer isn’t necessarily a “no” to you.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why rejection can feel so personal when you’re selling yourself and your own services
• How to separate a “no” to your offer from a “no” to you
• Why practicing sales conversations can make rejection feel less uncomfortable
• How to detach from the need for someone to say yes
• Why your self-worth shouldn’t depend on clients, sales, or external validation
• How rejection can help you identify your dream clients
• How to use a “no” as an opportunity to review and improve your sales conversations
• Why hearing “no” can actually be a sign that you’re putting enough offers out there
• How to reframe rejection as learning instead of failure
• Why business is a marathon of relationships, conversations, and opportunities—not a sprint

If you’ve ever taken a “no” personally, let it stop you in your tracks, or wondered whether rejection means you’re not good enough, this episode is a reminder that rejection is simply part of the entrepreneurial journey. The real growth comes from what you choose to do with it.

Timestamps:‌ ‌

00:00 – Introducing the “From the Archives” series
02:00 – Why Lianne chose to revisit “Reframing Rejection”
04:00 – Rejection is a normal part of entrepreneurship
08:00 – Why hearing “no” can feel so personal
10:00 – Lianne’s early experiences with sales and rejection
12:00 – Practice makes sales conversations easier
13:00 – A “no” to your offer is not a “no” to you
15:00 – Detaching from the need to hear yes
16:00 – The danger of tying your self-worth to external validation
17:00 – Why you’re not meant to work with everyone
18:00 – Identifying and attracting your dream clients
19:00 – Reframing “no” as a learning opportunity
20:00 – Becoming a detective in your sales conversations
21:00 – Understanding value vs. price
22:00 – Why hearing no can mean you’re making enough offers
23:00 – Getting better through repetition
24:00 – Rejection as part of the entrepreneurial game
25:00 – Building relationships over time
27:00 – Why rejection doesn’t make you a bad entrepreneur

Links mentioned: 

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