Queen of Rejection: How Every No Led Me Here

Ever feel like life’s been handing you rejection letters in every format possible? I see you.

Any of these sound familiar lately?

👑 Romantic “Thanks, but no thanks.”
👑 Client “We’re going another direction” emails.
👑 Friendship breakups.
👑 Society whispering you’re “too much” or “not enough.”

In the past 18 months rejection has been a constant theme, from lost clients to friendship breakups that gutted me. It almost had me thinking: I must be the problem.

But then, out of nowhere, 12-year-old me piped up in my head. She rolled her eyes and said exactly what I needed to hear:

“Ugh, so what? You’ve always been a reject.”

She was right.

✨ From pinewood derby trophies with boy scouts to building businesses with bold women.

✨ From being “too loud” in classrooms to owning the mic on stages.

✨ From gifted & talented elementary rejection to 10 years sober this November…

✨ From paralyzing rejection to clapping back with purpose.

Here’s what I’ve learned as the self-proclaimed Queen of Rejection: Rejection is not a red flag. It’s a redirect.

💥 Not all rejections are equal.
Some sting, some free you. Learn to tell the difference.

💥 Some rejections are yours to own.
We all mess up. It doesn’t make you unlovable—it makes you human.

💥 You were never meant to blend in.
You weren’t rejected—you were rerouted to where you truly belong.

And that’s why I started the Studio. So you could build your business in a community that gets it.

When rejection tells you you’re not enough, come cowork with us.
We’ll laugh, get things done, and have really good coffee.

See you around the Studio,
Kate Carnahan, CEO & Sportsfan

P.S. Sometimes rejection isn’t a setback.It’s an invitation to do something different—with people who believe in your magic.