The setback: The Beatles were rejected by Decca Records

The outcome: They went on to revolutionize music

The setback: J.K. Rowling was rejected by 12 publishers

The outcome: Harry Potter found its home eventually

The setback: Walt Disney was fired for lacking creativity

The outcome: He created an entertainment empire

The setback: Einstein was considered a slow learner

The outcome: He reshaped our understanding of reality

The setback: Van Gogh sold only one painting in his lifetime

The outcome: Now each is worth millions

The setback: Lincoln lost eight elections before winning presidency

The outcome: Persistence made history

The setback: Oprah was told she was unfit for television

The outcome: She became its biggest star

The setback: Colonel Sanders was rejected 1,009 times

The outcome: KFC became a global franchise

The setback: Stephen King threw away Carrie's manuscript

The outcome: His wife retrieved it from the trash

The setback: Steven Spielberg was rejected from film school twice

The outcome: He defined blockbuster cinema

The setback: Dr. Seuss was rejected 27 times

The outcome: Green Eggs and Ham found its publisher

The setback: The YouTube founders couldn't find clips of Janet Jackson

The outcome: They created video sharing

The setback: Slack was a failed video game company

The outcome: They pivoted to transform work communication

The setback: Flickr was a failed multiplayer game

The outcome: The photo-sharing feature became the product

The setback: Twitter was a failed podcast platform

The outcome: Constraints created its iconic format