Evan Carmichael Top Header about About About facebook Twitter YouTube Google+

Lesson #3: Take Rejection

Simon Cowell Quote


Staff post about: Simon Cowell
Become an Author

Free PDF Download
Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul - By Simon Cowell

Name: Email:


“People said, ‘You will never make any money in the music industry,” recalls Cowell. “Or, ‘You have no talent.’ Also, when you’re putting out a record, failing to make the top 100 is a kind of rejection. It’s painful.”

Throughout his career, Cowell would become quite familiar with rejection. After he was initially expelled from numerous boarding schools, Cowell could have easily given up. Headmasters were not only telling Cowell that there was no place for him in their schools, but that there was no place for him in a civilized society. That is a hard message to swallow as a young boy. But, Cowell wanted to prove them wrong.

Despite the success he had achieved at EMI in the early years of his career, Cowell’s first attempt at launching and running his own company was an utter failure. E&S Music folded almost as soon as it had opened. In Cowell’s eyes, this was a massive rejection by the music industry. Again, he could have given up, but Cowell wanted to prove them wrong.

He didn’t dwell long on his failure. In little time, Cowell had again launched his own independent music label. Fanfare Records would prove to be more successful than E&S, but challenges would still be ahead for the eager Cowell. When he was 28 years old, Cowell’s professional efforts took a nosedive when he wound up $1 million in debt and living with his parents. He wondered if this was yet another sign of rejection from the music industry. Was there room for his vision? Would he ever be able to carry that vision out?

“I effectively lost everything,” Cowell says of that difficult time in his life. “I had to move in with my parents. In hindsight, it was the best thing that happened in my life because I learned the value of money: not to borrow money and not to live beyond my means. And I learned that getting there is more fun than being there. But one thing that I have always been able to do is to own up to my mistakes and not blame others.”

Cowell accepted his losses, faced the rejection and began the slow climb back up. There would be hard times again – his reality show Cupid was cancelled in 2003 – but Cowell had finally understood that failure was a part of the process. While they were hard experiences to go through at the time, Cowell now understands that it was those very failures that made him the success he is today. “In the music business, over the last 25 years, I’ve faced a lot of rejection,” he says. “It’s a lesson learned. You have to stand out from the crowd.”

Cowell has learned that little failures along the way are what make for a great success in the end. “I think America is a hard nut to crack,” he says. “But once you get a toehold it’s a great place for an entrepreneur because people are so enthusiastic.”


Related Articles

  Professional Sales People Do Not Fear Rejection
  Managing The Fear Of Failure In Business
  Do Not Be Afraid To Fail In Business
  How To Deal With Rejection In Your Career
  How To Handle Rejection In Your Life
  Overcoming The Fear Of Rejection
  The Other Rejection - How Salespeople Struggle to Cope
  Do Not Let The Fear Of Failure Get The Best Of You
  Teach Your Salespeople To Deal With Rejection
  Good Things Come to Those Who Ask
  Lesson #2: Be Ruthless and Refuse to Accept Rejection
  McDonald’s Success is Built on Acceptance & Rejection
  Keys To Wealth And Success (part 2)
  Dare to be Rejected
  Rejection Proof - The Science Behind Success in Sales
  Frustrated Network Marketer - Needs vs. Wants
  Self Care
  Handling Rejection - Is Rejection an Illusion
  Conflict Of Closure
  Leadership Qualities

Home > Famous-Entrepreneurs > Simon Cowell > Lesson 3 Take Rejection >

Free PDF Download
Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul - By Simon Cowell

Name: Email:


Related Forum Posts

Dan Kennedy Marketing Methods Dan Kennedy Marketing Methods
Book: Soloing: Realizing Your Life's Ambition Book: Soloing: Realizing Your Life's Ambition

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.

Share this post and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.
Share for a Cause
Like this page? PLEASE +1 it! Evan Signature
Bottom Footer



Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.