Last week, at the Goldman Sachs 10KSB Summit in Washington DC, where 2,200 entrepreneurs gathered to hear legends like Kevin O’Leary, Martha Stewart, and Michael Phelps, I had one goal: talk to Mike Bloomberg.
Left: Arriving at the Goldman Sachs 10KSB Summit; Right: Listening to Olympian Michael Phelps share how his medals don’t define him. (Click photo to watch video.)
That was nearly impossible. The speakers weren’t mingling. They exited through back doors. Private elevators. Roped-off areas.
Then a small door opened- I was invited to join a special photo with Bloomberg, along with 80 graduates from the Goldman Sachs Baltimore program. As the last camera flashed, I made my way straight to Bloomberg. We spoke one-on-one. A minute. Short, but meaningful.
I didn’t realize how soon that moment would come full circle. Thirty minutes later, Bloomberg stepped onto the stage – now facing the 2,200 entrepreneurs in the audience – and spoke about persistence, exactly what I had just lived.
Left: A surreal moment – thanking Mike Bloomberg for bringing the Goldman Sachs 10KSB program to Baltimore, which has been life-changing for me; Right: Mike Bloomberg on stage, sharing his story of persistence and grit.
Bloomberg said the best salespeople don’t stop after rejection. They knock again. A “no” isn’t always forever. Sometimes it means “not yet.”
He said GOOD salespeople move on to the next door after a “no.”
GREAT salespeople knock again on the same door.
Bloomberg was fired after 15 years at his job. The next day, he started his own company. He bought a coffee jug and a small fridge – and began knocking on doors at 6am, offering coffee just to get a foot in. Three years passed before a single yes.
Today? 27,000 employees. The lesson hasn’t changed: keep knocking.
Left: Senator John Fetterman and Senator David McCormick discussing the government shutdown; Right: We didn’t just listen – we took action on Capitol Hill, meeting with senators to talk about changes small businesses need most.
Persistence isn’t loud. It’s steady. It’s showing up, creating your own chances. Because sometimes, the next door you knock on is the one that changes everything.
Home Depot co-founder, Ken Langone, reminded us that real success isn’t measured in wealth, but in what we give back.
P.S. Each photo in this week’s edition links to a short video or extra insight from the GS10KSB Summit — a bit of added value if you’d like to dive deeper.
