Have you ever wanted something—really wanted it—and believed you were going to get it, only to have the dream shatter and hurt you to your core when it didn’t work out? Maybe it was a job you worked hard for but didn’t land. Maybe it was someone you thought was the one who didn’t feel the same way. Or maybe you put yourself out there, took a big chance, and watched it all fall apart. Let’s be real for a second—rejection sucks. Whether it’s personal or not, it’s hard not to take it personally. It’s easy to feel like you’ve failed or worse, start to believe that maybe you just aren’t good enough. But let me tell you something—rejection is not the end of your story, it’s simply part of the journey and overcoming rejection is possible with the right reflection and tools!
I want to share a story from my own life to help remind you that rejection isn’t a reflection of your worth—it’s just a sign that you’re daring to chase something big.
My Journey with Rejection: IT Cosmetics & the Sephora “No”
When I started IT Cosmetics, I had this clear vision. I could see it so vividly—our brand on the shelves of big beauty stores, customers trying our products, and falling in love with them. But there was just one little thing: everyone told me no. Literally hundreds of nos. People I thought were experts. People I looked up to. I heard rejection after rejection, and it stung.
But then came my big break: a meeting with Sephora. I prepared for weeks, rehearsing my pitch and imagining what it would feel like to get that “YES.”
And then? I heard… No.
They told me our product wasn’t a good fit for their store. And I’ll be honest with you—I ugly cried in my car for longer than I care to admit. After all the work, all the dreaming, and all the heart I had poured into this, it felt like the biggest punch in the gut. But in that moment, I made a decision that would change everything.
Rejection Doesn’t Define You—Your Belief Does
Instead of letting that “no” break me, I made the choice to believe in me. I made the choice to trust the voice inside that told me I was worthy and that my dream was worth fighting for.
Because here’s the truth: the pain of rejection is nothing compared to the pain of regret. If I had let those hundreds of nos stop me, I wouldn’t have seen the yeses that eventually came—and there were plenty of them. Not just one, but many. And years later, yes, even Sephora said yes.
The thing I learned (and I want you to take this to heart) is that rejection is not an indicator that your dreams won’t work out. In fact, rejection is something that happens to everyone who’s brave enough to go after their dreams. Every single successful person has been told “no” at some point—but they chose to believe in themselves anyway.
That “no” didn’t define me, it refined me. And it’s what helped me overcome rejection and led me to create one of the top-selling cosmetic companies in the world today.
What I Want You to Know About Rejection
If you’re facing a forest of “no’s” right now, I want to tell you something really important: Keep going. Don’t let rejection define you or stop you from believing in yourself. If you’re feeling discouraged, I’m here to remind you that your worth isn’t tied to a single yes or no. Your worth is intrinsic—it’s in you, always has been, always will be.
Trust that the voice inside you—the one that tells you to keep going even when you’re tired, even when you’re scared—is the voice that matters most. That voice is your knowing. And it’s more powerful than any “no” from the outside world and is the KEY to overcoming rejection.
Overcoming Rejection: Keep Believing in Yourself
Remember: every rejection is a step closer to your breakthrough. The journey is never a straight line, and rejection is often just the universe pushing you toward something better.
If you’re in the middle of a tough season, let me tell you this: I believe in you. I see you. And you are WORTHY of all the dreams you are chasing.
So, if you need a little encouragement to keep going, I made this video just for you. Click here to watch and remind yourself why you’re worth every single “yes” that’s coming your way.
Don’t give up. You’ve got this.
XOXO,
Jamie
Feeling stuck or rejected?
I’ve got a message for you on overcoming rejection that will remind you why you’re worthy of success and happiness. Click here to watch the video and let’s keep believing together! 💖
Want More? Try These Jamie Kern Lima Show Podcast Episodes!
Overcoming Self-Doubt and Believing You Are Enough
Success Leaves Clues: The Jamie Kern Lima Show
This Is How To Believe In Yourself
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Jamie Kern Lima
Jamie Kern Lima is a self-made entrepreneur, champion of women, philanthropist, keynote speaker and Co-founder of IT Cosmetics, a company she started in her living room and sold to L’Oreal for $1.2 Billion, becoming the first female CEO in L’Oreal’s 100+ year history. She’s on the Forbes Richest Self-Made Womens List and is an active investor in more than 15 companies. Jamie is passionate about inspiring and mentoring entrepreneurs, building businesses, making a difference in the lives of women and girls and giving back in a big way.
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