How to handle hearing "no" as a solopreneur (without feeling beaten)

Your response is all that matters.

Jan 08, 2025

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"No" is never easy to hear.

But it's especially hard to hear as a solopreneur.

When you work for yourself, the buck stops with you. And that's when "no" starts to feel personal.

I’ve received my fair share of no’s over the years (more than a fair share, if I’m honest), and I’ve gotten pretty good at handling them.

But let’s face it - no matter how often you hear that horrible little two-letter word, it stings every time. It’ll make you feel like you’ve been beaten, somehow.

So how do you deal with it? What’s the best way to respond to “no” as a solopreneur?

It only feels personal

First off, 99% of the time, that “no” is aimed at what you’re offering, not at you.

It feels personal, but it isn’t. So don’t hear it as such.

Easier said than done, I know.

When a potential customer or client says no, compartmentalise it into the “business” section of your life, away from everything else. It’s got nothing to do with you, or your family, or your personal life in general.

Draw a line between You the Human and You the Solopreneur, right from the get-go.

Thick skin

This is a tough one, but it has to be said: if you want to make it as a solopreneur, you have to develop thick skin.

If every no knocks you on your ass and makes you want to throw in the towel, you won’t get far. Some of them will, of course. But it can’t be all of them.

Make bouncing back from “no” into muscle memory. Develop instantaneous coping mechanisms that help you move on quickly.

Don’t let frustrations fester into bitterness - it’ll only hamper your productivity and waste your time.

Like the calluses guitarists develop on their fingertips (like I once had), no’s can make you better-equipped to handle solopreneur life, and turn temporary struggles into sweet music.

grayscale photo of person holding guitar neck and strings — Photo by Caio Silva on Unsplash

Attack the why

The word “no” is an opportunity.

Hear me out.

When someone rejects your offer, it gives you the chance to analyse it in detail and figure out why.

Of course, you don’t need to do this every single time, because most people will say no to what’s on the table.

But if the no’s start to massively outweigh any yeses you’re getting, it’s time to work out why that is.

Don’t be afraid to invite feedback from potential clients who’ve turned you down. Ask what’s putting them off, what their objections are. Always do so politely, gently and unobtrusively. If feedback isn’t forthcoming, let it go.