It’s funny how even as things begin to fall in place for us, we do things to sabotage ourselves, or we don’t take things as seriously as we should. For all I wanted to do, and having accomplished so many things early in my career, I often think of things that I seemingly should have done by this point in my life. I am a firm believer, however, that things happen as they should. I’ve learned, surely after questioning for years, to stay away from doing “just that”. As an entrepreneur, you have to carry a good amount of faith in all you do, and know that what’s meant for you is for you. You hear that sort of thing all the time, but many fail to believe it. You simply have to believe in yourself and the things you know you can do, regardless of what anyone has to say. No matter what, you’re always going to get some type of rejection, and someone is going to insist that you’re crazy & unfocused, and living in a fairy tale. If you know you want to do it, and you believe it to be true, then it’s all for you and only you can make it happen. I’ve spent my entire adult life dreaming of doing “anything” for BET. At the same time, I’m just like a lot of other people, so I doubted myself the entire time. It wasn’t until I developed the mentality that “all they can tell me is no”, and “not asking won’t be the reason I didn’t get in”. The moment I stepped out on the edge and truly believed in me, things began to happen almost immediately. I remember like yesterday, browsing the internet and applying for something labeled as a “freelance opportunity” with BET. With very little detail provided, I applied anyway, and literally said to myself “all they can tell me is no”. Well, wouldn’t you know they said YES!. That “freelance opportunity” turned out to be the Soul Train Awards, and I would be working the red carpet. It was an absolute dream come true, to say the very least, and the rest from there is history. The following year would prove even greater, as my confidence and work ethic produced an opportunity to cover the BET Awards red carpet for my own publication, among other things. Through heavy networking, I’ve been able to build an enormous amount of contacts, which has helped in growing my own brand, and being able to work for myself. In the past two years, I’ve landed back in radio, this time as an on-air host, with three shows running currently. I also own a PR firm, and have a few other brands under wraps. My point in telling my own story is to show you and others striving for better that whatever you want is possible, as long as you believe. Again, rejection will never go away. As I’ve detailed, I’ve received an enormous amount of rejection in many different forms, and some is masked in a way to make you think it’s otherwise, but the key through it all is to be genuine, be creative, and know your worth. If someone won’t help you, then it’s pretty simple. Make it happen for yourself. That rejection is simple a chance to make your own way.