When we think of today’s biggest brands, we often forget the long, winding roads they took to get where they are. Behind every global success is a story of struggle, rejection, and unwavering belief.
Take Apple, for example. It ran at a loss for eight straight years. But instead of giving up, they launched the iPhone—and changed the world of tech forever.
Starbucks, now a staple on every corner, had only 17 stores after 10 years in business. Today? Over 30,000 locations worldwide. Slow growth doesn’t mean no growth.
Then there’s Canva. Before becoming a design essential, Canva faced 100 investor rejections. Just one “yes” changed everything. Sometimes, all it takes is one believer.
KFC’s Colonel Sanders? He was turned away 1,009 times before someone finally bought into his secret recipe. Rejection isn’t the end—it’s a step closer to the right door.
Rovio, the creators of Angry Birds, failed 51 times before they struck gold. But they kept going. Because success isn’t about avoiding failure—it’s about persisting through it.
Even Alibaba couldn’t escape early rejection. Not a single major Silicon Valley VC believed in Jack Ma’s vision. He didn’t stop. Now, Alibaba is a global giant.
Netflix, before becoming a streaming leader, spent 7 years mailing DVDs. It was patient, steady—and then came the big leap.
