What to Do With ‘No'

“Never take no for an answer,” people say. But is that really true? We asked six founders: How do you know when to keep pushing and when to move on?

- Illustration by Pete Ryan

1/ When ‘no’ is the status quo.

“In sex and relationships, no means no—always. But in business, when faced with a ‘no,’ we apply our company value to the problem: ‘Challenge the status quo with love.’ There is likely a logical reason for the rejection or refusal, so I open a dialogue. It’s important to understand the barriers. With each situation, I gather as much information as I can, weigh the pros and cons, and decide whether to persist. Progress is about compassion and balance.”

—SOUMYADIP RAKSHIT, cofounder and CEO, MysteryVibe

2/ When ‘no’ is a gift.

“The first ‘no’ is good enough for me! Persistence is a ridiculously overrated attribute in American culture—probably more harmful than virtuous overall. It’s much more rewarding to spend my time getting someone from slightly excited to ridiculously excited than trying to reverse a rejection. Consider that first ‘no’ a gift; you don’t have to waste more time. No? Great, next!”