Introduction

We all know that rejection is something so rampant in today’s world. Today it’s a rejection email, the next it’s a “we regret to inform you” message. It happens so often that we sometimes starts to feel hurt, don't we? At some point, you begin to doubt yourself. Am I even good enough? What am I really capable of?

But here’s the thing: rejection can be the best thing that can happen to you only if you refuse to give up.

The story of Brian Acton

Brian Acton, is the co-founder of WhatsApp the app we all know and love.

In 2009, Brian Acton had spent 11 years at Yahoo, building up his skills in the tech industry. But after leaving Yahoo, He found himself searching for his next big opportunity.

First, He applied to Twitter, waited, and…got rejected. 🚫 He aimed for Facebook again, this time after going through interviews and waiting again, the verdict came back: another rejection. 💔

That's two, amidst all other rejections, but did Brian give up? Nope! He didn't, He even tweeted:

_"Facebook turned me down. It was a great opportunity to connect with some fantastic people. Looking forward to life’s next adventure."_

Did you see that? How many of us have the courage to stand up when we fall? To even do the simplest thing like making a post about it or convincing ourselves that life goes on? 🌱

I know It’s easy to let rejection weigh us down, but the truth is, every setback is a chance to redefine our path. Brian didn’t just move on, he turned his “no” into something the whole world would say “yes” to. And this is what he did...

Turning Rejection into Innovation

Brian teamed up with his friend _Jan Koum_. Together, they had an idea: to create a messaging app that prioritised simplicity, security, and privacy—no ads, no distractions. Something unique and different 👌.

This was the birth of WhatsApp. It wasn’t an easy task, it was filled with struggles, Growth were slow, funding was hard to secure, and the team faced countless challenges. But Brian and Jan refused to give up. They kept putting in efforts, they were determined!

Little by little, WhatsApp began to gain attractions.

The Sweet Taste of Success

Fast forward to 2013, WhatsApp had become one of the most downloaded apps in the world. Not only that, In 2014, Facebook, the same company that once rejected Brian, came knocking on his door with a $19 billion 💵 deal to buy WhatsApp.

Yes, you read that right. The company that didn’t believe in him ended up paying billions for what he built.

_Such is life my dear..._

The Lesson?

I know you might have spent up to five years (or more) in tech and still can’t seem to land that “reasonable” job! Or maybe you've sent countless applications only to receive rejection upon rejection!! It’s not the end of the world.

Brian spent 11 years building up his skills. Yet, he still got rejected. If Facebook and Twitter hadn’t rejected him, the WhatsApp we all rely on today might not even exist. Imagine that!🤌

If you’ve been rejected today, this week, or even this year, don’t let it crush you. Use it as a tool to build something even greater. Rejection isn’t failure; it’s feedback. So, take that break if you need to. Feel your feelings. But don’t give up entirely. Your “Brian's moment” could be just around the corner.

And if you're just starting out I assure you, you will face challenges in your journey. But, don’t let rejection define you. Let it refine you. What seems like a setback today might be the setup for your greatest breakthrough tomorrow.

Keep pushing, keep dreaming, and keep building. 🚀 We're rooting for you at Nupe Tech Community.

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✍️ _Bashir Sultanat Erinlola_