A 39-year-old CEO, a self-made billionaire with no background or connections, has become a source of curiosity for many. People often wonder how he managed to go from having nothing to building such immense wealth. When asked about his secret to success, he simply smiled and said: “I got used to rejection early on.” His answer left many puzzled, so he began to explain the deeper meaning behind his words.
A humble start: Learning from early setbacks
Coming from a poor family, he started working during his second year of high school. In Shenzhen, he struggled to find a job, facing rejection after rejection before finally landing a position as a waiter in a restaurant. He wasn’t afraid of hard work and always volunteered for the most challenging tasks, such as peeling massive amounts of potatoes — enough to fill three large tubs each day.
One day, a chef noticed his dedication and said: “You’re hardworking, smart, and good with people. I think you’d be great in sales.” Taking the chef’s advice, he quit his job to pursue a career in sales. However, at only 18 years old and with no experience, he was frequently turned down by potential employers.
Persistence pays off in unexpected ways
Shenzhen is home to countless factories and companies, and he was determined to find one that would give him a chance. Despite being rejected by many, he eventually secured a low-paying position at a company that sold batteries. He bought a second-hand bike and started carrying two boxes of batteries around town, going door to door, pitching to small shops. Time and time again, he faced rejection.
One day, while watching a grocery store owner play chess outside his shop, he praised the owner for winning the game. The owner, who had already turned him down three times, looked at him and said: “You’re quite persistent. You’re still trying after I rejected you three times. I like your determination! I’ll buy 100 packs of batteries from you. If they’re good quality, I’ll buy more in the future.” After three rejections, he finally made his first sale and earned his first commission: 40 yuan, which at that time was equivalent to about US$5 in terms of purchasing power. It was a modest amount, but it marked the beginning of his journey.
Through sheer effort, by the age of 20, he became the company’s top salesperson, earning over 10,000 yuan (approximately US$1,250 in terms of purchasing power) in commission each month. Despite his success, the battery industry had its limitations, so he moved to a company that sold safety equipment, a sector with much larger potential clients such as mines, oil fields, and firefighting departments. A single contract in this industry could be worth millions.
Starting over in a new field
Although he had experience in sales, switching industries meant he had to start from scratch. His previous connections didn’t help, so he had to rebuild his network. Every day, he called hundreds of companies he found through online searches, making cold calls and facing rejection after rejection. But he remained undeterred. Eventually, a mining company, in urgent need of safety products for a government inspection, agreed to sign an 8-million-yuan (equivalent to about US$1 million in terms of purchasing power) contract with him. Another deal worth over 3 million yuan (approximately US$375,000 in purchasing power) came about because a customer was unhappy with their current supplier, and his call came at just the right time.
He made at least 400 calls a day during his three-month probation period. Most calls ended in rejection, with a success rate of less than 0.01 percent. However, those rare successes — totaling over 10 million yuan (about US$1.25 million in terms of purchasing power) — earned him a full-time position, making him the youngest salesperson at the company.
Embracing rejection as a path to success
With his growing sales network and some savings, he started his own business, becoming an agent for a safety equipment company. His business quickly took off, and today, he is the CEO of a thriving enterprise.
Everyone faces rejection at some point, but learning to get used to it is crucial. When rejection becomes a part of your routine, you develop resilience. It helps you maintain your confidence when you encounter challenges and teaches you to stay calm under pressure. Most importantly, those who persist despite rejection will eventually find success in their careers.
Translated article
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