Jamie Kern Lima

Where she like goes in the store and they won't help her. And then she goes back two days later. So what I wanted to say to him was big mistake. Like huge, huge. I wanted to say I can give you 1.2 billion reasons why. It's a huge mistake. But I didn't. I kept it classy because I wouldn't have wanted to be him. And here's what I know is, you know, I believe rejection is God's protection.

Where she like goes in the store and they won't help her. And then she goes back two days later. So what I wanted to say to him was big mistake. Like huge, huge. I wanted to say I can give you 1.2 billion reasons why. It's a huge mistake. But I didn't. I kept it classy because I wouldn't have wanted to be him. And here's what I know is, you know, I believe rejection is God's protection.

Because here's the thing, y'all. Had he believed in us, we were so desperate. We would have given him so much equity, probably for close to nothing. But because he didn't believe in us, we were still the largest shareholder of the company the day L'Oreal acquired us. So... And remember the head of QVC Beauty, Alan Burke, who said you're not the right fit for QVC or our customers?

Because here's the thing, y'all. Had he believed in us, we were so desperate. We would have given him so much equity, probably for close to nothing. But because he didn't believe in us, we were still the largest shareholder of the company the day L'Oreal acquired us. So... And remember the head of QVC Beauty, Alan Burke, who said you're not the right fit for QVC or our customers?

So shortly after we launched on QVC, he became one of my greatest mentors and friends. He still is to this day, and he had been there decades at QVC. And shortly after we launched, he retired. And when he did, we hired him in a paid position on our advisory board. So the guy that rejected me was now working for me, right? Like, no one can tell you you're not the right fit.

So shortly after we launched on QVC, he became one of my greatest mentors and friends. He still is to this day, and he had been there decades at QVC. And shortly after we launched, he retired. And when he did, we hired him in a paid position on our advisory board. So the guy that rejected me was now working for me, right? Like, no one can tell you you're not the right fit.

And, you know, it's really such a lesson just to never take rejection personally and never take someone else's doubt about you personally and never let that doubt turn into doubt in your own head. Because the person who doubts you today might be calling you boss tomorrow. History isn't made by the ones who play it safe. So today I ask you, what is the true calling that has only your name on it?

And, you know, it's really such a lesson just to never take rejection personally and never take someone else's doubt about you personally and never let that doubt turn into doubt in your own head. Because the person who doubts you today might be calling you boss tomorrow. History isn't made by the ones who play it safe. So today I ask you, what is the true calling that has only your name on it?

What does the power inside of you tell you that you're destined for? Your calling might be to work in investment banking to become an MD or a partner or to start your own firm. Your calling might be to consult for five years then start an idea in your living room you haven't been able to shape.

What does the power inside of you tell you that you're destined for? Your calling might be to work in investment banking to become an MD or a partner or to start your own firm. Your calling might be to consult for five years then start an idea in your living room you haven't been able to shape.

Your calling might be to put one foot in front of the other in the best direction you know how until you hear that call that says, this is it. Your calling might be to dare to make the lowest salary in Columbia Business School history until you're on your path to making the highest.

Your calling might be to put one foot in front of the other in the best direction you know how until you hear that call that says, this is it. Your calling might be to dare to make the lowest salary in Columbia Business School history until you're on your path to making the highest.

You might not know what your calling is, but when you do know, I dare you to commit to trusting that calling, not the one you can do, the one you were created for. Because if you're like me, you didn't come this far to be impressive. You came this far to be impactful. And I believe your success won't come from being the smartest in the room.

You might not know what your calling is, but when you do know, I dare you to commit to trusting that calling, not the one you can do, the one you were created for. Because if you're like me, you didn't come this far to be impressive. You came this far to be impactful. And I believe your success won't come from being the smartest in the room.

It'll come from being the most aligned with who you truly are and with who you're born to be. And my hope and my prayer is you walk out of here today making the decision to unwaveringly fully trust yourself and trust the power that's inside of you right now, even when it scares you, even when no one else might get it, even when it might go against the curve.

It'll come from being the most aligned with who you truly are and with who you're born to be. And my hope and my prayer is you walk out of here today making the decision to unwaveringly fully trust yourself and trust the power that's inside of you right now, even when it scares you, even when no one else might get it, even when it might go against the curve.

Because the world doesn't need more MBAs who can analyze a case study. The world needs more of us MBAs who become the case study. And I wanna ask you to imagine what case study could one day be written about you. And imagine what would happen if you made the decision right now to fully believe that you have what it takes to make it happen, because you do.

Because the world doesn't need more MBAs who can analyze a case study. The world needs more of us MBAs who become the case study. And I wanna ask you to imagine what case study could one day be written about you. And imagine what would happen if you made the decision right now to fully believe that you have what it takes to make it happen, because you do.

Columbia Business School Class of 2025, what will you do with the power that is you? I cannot wait to cheer you on as you bravely, boldly live the answer. Thank you and congratulations Class of 2025! If you loved today's episode, please click on the follow or subscribe button for this show on the app you're listening to it on or watching it on.

Columbia Business School Class of 2025, what will you do with the power that is you? I cannot wait to cheer you on as you bravely, boldly live the answer. Thank you and congratulations Class of 2025! If you loved today's episode, please click on the follow or subscribe button for this show on the app you're listening to it on or watching it on.