E-Commerce, Entrepreneurship, Mindset

Ralph Lauren Once Rejected My Client – Here’s What Happened

July 25, 2024
By itssophiebiggerstaff.com

Share this post:

Rejection Isn’t the End - It’s a Redirection

This is a story about one client. One big vision. And one brand that came full circle four years after rejecting here – proving rejection is simply just redirection!

Let’s talk about rejection in business – because if you’re building an online business, you’re going to face it. Probably more than once.

But what if a no today doesn’t mean no “never”? What if it’s just “not yet”?

This is exactly what happened with one of my private clients – and it’s a story I come back to often when I see people ready to give up after one closed door.

How My Client Started Her Business

When this client first came to me in June 2020, she had a big dream: launching a multi-brand children’s wear e-commerce platform, positioned in the premium-luxury space.

She wasn’t playing small. She wanted to stock names like Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein – and Ralph Lauren.

But there was one major challenge: timing.
She wanted to go live by August – just two months away – and we’d already missed the main buying season.

We pitched 100+ brands – and got a lot of “no”s

Together, we crafted pitches and sent them out to over 100 brands, including the big players. Some responded warmly and offered past-season stock. Others didn’t even reply.

And Ralph Lauren? They turned us down.
The business wasn’t big enough yet.
The timing wasn’t right.
Come back later.

That could have been the end of the story. But it wasn’t.

Fast Forward Four Years: Ralph Lauren Reached Out To Her

Yep, how the tables turned… Ralph Lauren reached out to her asking if they could stock on her website!

That moment was proof of everything we’d been working toward – the brand recognition, the trust, the consistency, and the staying power. And it all came back to a few key strategies:

1. Persistence (without ego)

Every no taught us something. We refined the pitch. We updated the strategy. We kept going. You can’t take rejection personally – but you can use it to level up.

2. Relationships first

We nurtured connections with the brands that did say yes – even if it was only past-season stock. That trust became the foundation for everything that came after.

3. Clear positioning

We stayed laser-focused on quality. No compromises. We knew the platform needed to reflect the level of excellence the client wanted to be known for – and we didn’t water that down.

4. Adaptability + resilience

Instead of seeing rejections as dead ends, we treated them as lessons. We pivoted, evolved, improved – and it paid off.

This Is What Long-Game Business Building Actually Looks Like

We live in a world where we’re all obsessed with instant results – go viral, launch fast, scale fast, sell out.

But the reality is that real business growth – takes time. It takes patience. It takes a level of persistence that most people underestimate or are never willing to wait for.

What I love most about this story is that it proves your big goals are possible – but you need to build for the future, not just for the now.

There might be a bigger plan for you, but it might not be ready to materialize just yet…

This Is The Kind Of Support I Offer Inside The Freedom Model Method

My signature program The Freedom Model Method isn’t about overnight success, £10k month hacks or quick wins. It’s about helping you build a business that’s aligned, sustainable, and designed to grow with you – no matter your niche.

Inside the program, I’ll help you:

Get clear on your niche, audience, and aligned business model
Build strong foundations (not shaky trends) that last for years to come
Create offers and strategies that feel good and actually convert
Grow a business that supports the freedom you want – not one that drains you

Ready To Start Your Online Business In The Most Sustainable Way?

Take the Freedom Seekers Quiz to find your aligned business model:
https://onlinebusinessschool.itssophiebiggerstaff.com/freedom-seekers-quiz

Watch my Free Masterclass to see how to build your business without burning out:
https://onlinebusinessschool.itssophiebiggerstaff.com/registration-page

Or apply to work with me inside The Freedom Model Method here:
https://onlinebusinessschool.itssophiebiggerstaff.com/Freedom-Model-Method

And remember – Your “no” today might just be a “not yet.” Keep going. Keep refining. Keep showing up. The right people will notice – when the timing is right.

meet the writer

I'm Sophie

Online business coach, podcast host, mental health advocate, speaker, founder of TINAH, community builder, full-time digital nomad, and general trailblazing, rule breaker…

I tried to live a “normal” life: I spent 11+ years working my way up in the fashion industry, working for brands like Ralph Lauren and Burberry. I had the apartment in the city, I lived for going out at the weekends, spent money on designer bags and holidays – until I realized this lifestyle DID NOT FULFIL ME – I was waking up with anxiety every day – surviving, but definitely not thriving.

So I quit. I left my 9-to-5 behind to start an online business that supported the lifestyle I actually wanted. Now that looks like slow mornings, daily beach walks, co-working with like-minded entrepreneurs, yoga, meditation, and lots of social connections.

Since 2020, I’ve built multiple online business offers – from online business coaching and consulting to online courses, digital products, and a mental health marketplace – all while travelling the world and living life, and earning money on my own terms.

Now… I’m on a mission to help more people break free from lives that don’t feel good for them and create more freedom through starting and growing an online business.