How I Turned Rejection Into Opportunity

by | Sep 23, 2022

This wasn’t the first time I got rejected, and I remember this like it was just yesterday.

A new inventing TV show was produced by Simon Cowell and was called American Inventor.

I had received a call from one of the producers requesting I interview for a spot to be one of the judges. I was extremely honored and excited, so I went through with it.

But I didn’t get picked, and this wouldn’t be the first time.

About two weeks later, the same production company called me and asked if I would be a consultant on the show.

This sounded extremely interesting to me, so I agreed, and then we began the negotiation process.

Here is the contract:

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Soon after, I drove down to Los Angeles to work with all the inventors and the production team to make sure the prototypes worked and looked beautiful for TV.

I was a “fly” on the wall and soon learned that there is no reality in reality TV.

At the end of the season, I was invited to attend the season finale. So, my longtime right-hand man James Shehan and I went down to Hollywood.

While we waited to get in, I was able to meet contestants in the back lot of American Idol.

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This was a great experience. Here’s what I learned:

1. You win some and you lose some.

2. Even in rejection, there is a silver lining.

3. Be kind to everyone!

Thanks for reading,
Stephen Key
inventRight CoFounder

Author

  • Stephen Key

    Stephen Key is an award-winning inventor, renowned intellectual property strategist, lifelong entrepreneur, author, speaker, and columnist.
    Stephen has over 20 patents in his name and the d...