I Got Rejected by a Business Networking Group and It Was the Best Thing to Ever Happen to Me

This morning, I walked into a business networking meeting in Doncaster feeling excited, open, and ready to connect.

The day before, I’d spoken to the Area Leader, Jo, who told me the hub didn’t have a mortgage broker and that I should come along. She made me feel like I’d be a great fit. I shared my details - my location, how long I’ve been in business, all the things you’d normally check before inviting someone in.

Everything seemed aligned.

So I showed up.

I participated.

I vibed with the room.

I genuinely connected with the members and guests.

It felt like a place I could contribute to and grow inside of.

But the moment I told Jo I’d love to join the hub, everything changed. Her whole energy flipped.

She stiffened, avoided eye contact, and said:

“I have to be honest… you don’t meet a couple of the criteria to join as a member.”

When I asked what criteria, she told me:

I didn’t live within 5km
I hadn’t been in business for at least 3 years

Both of which I had already told her - the day before.

I stood there stunned for a moment.

Not because I can’t handle rejection.

Not because I wasn’t “good enough.”

But because I realised something important:

I was misled to get another guest in the room.

And as the youngest person there by at least 10 years, it was clear she thought I wouldn’t know better.

But I’ve been networking for nearly a decade. I’ve built businesses, run businesses, and sat in more rooms than I can count.

I know exactly how this game works.

And in that moment, I realised something even bigger:

I am done shrinking myself to fit into rooms run by people who can’t see my value.

I walked out feeling frustrated, a little embarrassed, and honestly… underestimated. Again.

But here’s the plot twist:

That sting? That moment of “wow, not this again”?

It lit a fire in me I haven’t felt in years.

A clean, sharp, directional fire.

The kind that says:

“I’m going to make a name for myself.”
“I’m going to become undeniable.”
“I’m going to build something so strong, so respected, so impactful… that the rooms who overlooked me will one day realise their mistake.”

Not out of spite.

Out of clarity.

Out of alignment.

Out of stepping into who I actually am.

Sometimes rejection isn’t a door closing.

Sometimes it’s the universe saying:

“Not here. Not like this. You’re meant for more.”

And honestly?

Getting rejected by that networking group was the best thing that ever happened to me.

Because it reminded me of what I already knew:

✨ I don’t need to be invited.

✨ I don’t need permission.