Success stories often look clean and polished from the outside, but the path behind them is usually filled with rejections, setbacks, and self-doubt. Entrepreneur and author Ankur Warikoo recently reminded his followers of this truth in an Instagram post that quickly went viral. Sharing his own journey of repeated failures, he spoke about how every “no” eventually led him to the single “yes” that changed his life forever.
Warikoo revealed that he applied to IIT twice after school but was unsuccessful. Later, after completing his bachelor’s degree, he tried again for a master’s program and was rejected once more. The string of rejections didn’t stop there—six out of seven US universities turned him down, ten out of eleven MBA programs said no, and four out of five companies declined to hire him after his MBA. Even in entrepreneurship, where resilience is the only way forward, 49 out of 50 investors rejected his startup pitch.
“You look at all that and think: I’m a failure,” he wrote. “But here’s the truth: You only need one success. You just need to win once. And when that win comes, it’s big enough to erase every no that came before it.”
The post struck a chord online, with many people saying it was a refreshing reminder that persistence matters more than perfection. Readers felt that it highlighted how easy it is to get lost in rejection and forget that a single “yes” can change everything. Many agreed that every setback is simply a step closer to a breakthrough, and some even pointed out how real confidence and resilience are built through repeated failures, with one big win strong enough to overshadow them all.
About Ankur Warikoo
Warikoo’s story feels even more powerful when placed against the backdrop of his journey. Born and raised in Delhi, he studied at Don Bosco High School before pursuing a degree in Physics from Hindu College, University of Delhi. He went on to complete his MS in Astronomy and Astrophysics from Michigan State University and later earned an MBA from the Indian School of Business.
Today, Warikoo is known for his books, mentoring, and content that inspires millions
Warikoo revealed that he applied to IIT twice after school but was unsuccessful. Later, after completing his bachelor’s degree, he tried again for a master’s program and was rejected once more. The string of rejections didn’t stop there—six out of seven US universities turned him down, ten out of eleven MBA programs said no, and four out of five companies declined to hire him after his MBA. Even in entrepreneurship, where resilience is the only way forward, 49 out of 50 investors rejected his startup pitch.
“You look at all that and think: I’m a failure,” he wrote. “But here’s the truth: You only need one success. You just need to win once. And when that win comes, it’s big enough to erase every no that came before it.”
The post struck a chord online, with many people saying it was a refreshing reminder that persistence matters more than perfection. Readers felt that it highlighted how easy it is to get lost in rejection and forget that a single “yes” can change everything. Many agreed that every setback is simply a step closer to a breakthrough, and some even pointed out how real confidence and resilience are built through repeated failures, with one big win strong enough to overshadow them all.
About Ankur Warikoo
Warikoo’s story feels even more powerful when placed against the backdrop of his journey. Born and raised in Delhi, he studied at Don Bosco High School before pursuing a degree in Physics from Hindu College, University of Delhi. He went on to complete his MS in Astronomy and Astrophysics from Michigan State University and later earned an MBA from the Indian School of Business.
Today, Warikoo is known for his books, mentoring, and content that inspires millions
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