Rejection is something most of us try to avoid at all costs. The sting of hearing “no” from a client, missing out on a big opportunity, or getting that dreaded email of rejection can feel personal and disheartening. But what if instead of running from rejection, you embraced it? What if you turned it into a powerful tool for growth?
In a recent episode of the Create to Convert podcast, I sat down with Liz Mosley, a graphic designer and the host of the Building Your Brand podcast, to discuss her Rejection Challenge. Liz set herself a goal to collect 100 rejections as a way to push past fear and turn “no” into an opportunity for learning and growth.
Spoiler alert: she didn’t hit 100, but what she gained from the experience changed how she views her business.
Let’s dive into how facing rejection head-on can actually make your business stronger—and how you can start your own Rejection Challenge.
Tune in to listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
It all started when Liz pitched a big-name guest, Chris Do, for her podcast. Despite a polite response, Chris declined her request, citing that he was looking for a larger audience. While he was kind, Liz felt the familiar pang of rejection. But instead of letting it stop her, she reflected on how many other opportunities she might be missing out on because she was too afraid to ask.
She then set out on a mission: collect 100 rejections. The idea wasn’t to get rejected for the sake of it, but to normalize hearing “no,” remove the emotional sting, and open herself up to the possibility of getting more “yeses” along the way.
Liz quickly learned that the fear of rejection was holding her back more than she realized. By putting herself out there and pitching to people and brands she admired, she discovered a few key lessons:
One of the core concepts behind Liz’s Rejection Challenge was to reframe rejection not as a personal failure, but as a stepping stone to success. Every “no” brought her closer to honing her pitch, clarifying her goals, and finding the right opportunities.
This challenge isn’t just about getting rejections—it’s about learning to ask for what you want without fear. When you approach business with the mindset that every ask is a win, whether the answer is yes or no, it frees you from the paralyzing fear of failure.
Feeling inspired to start your own Rejection Challenge? Here’s how you can begin:
Rejection is a natural part of running a business. The key is not to let it hold you back but to use it as fuel for growth. When you stop seeing rejection as a negative and start viewing it as part of the journey, it becomes much easier to take bold risks and open yourself up to exciting opportunities.
As Liz showed us through her Rejection Challenge, hearing “no” doesn’t mean the door is closed forever. In fact, it might just be the first step to a bigger “yes” down the line.
If you want to follow Liz’s journey or dive deeper into her work, check out her website and podcast. You’ll find tons of valuable content to help you build a stronger brand and embrace the power of rejection in your own business.
Ready to hear more about how Liz’s Rejection Challenge unfolded and how you can start your own? Tune in to the latest episode of the Create to Convert podcast for the full conversation!