Making Failure & Rejection Work For Me
Currently, it has been 8 years since Anointed Works® has opened it's online doors to the public. It has been very frustrated for me to accept a few statements I've been told over the years when starting my company. Whether it be friends, family or other successful people, I hear them say condescending and discouraging statements like:
"Rejected. Try again next time."
"Not good enough."
"You'll never win doing it like that."
"Cannot verify your business. Try again."
"Not approved for a business loan."
Failure and rejection are often seen as the worst outcomes in any business or ministry. Many believe they must be avoided at all costs. But for me, as the Founder, CEO and President of Anointed Works®, failure and rejection are not just obstacles—they are the runway that launches growth and the final perfected fruits of labor. I have faced countless setbacks despite doing everything "right." From legal registrations, to marketing efforts, from defending my company’s integrity to skeptics, to promoting the eBooks Zaion Studio produces and so much more. Sadly, nothing seemed to break through, nothing was sticking to the wall and I was left with layers of discarded plans and ideas that should have worked. Yet, I have come to understand that failure is part of the journey, especially when you serve a higher purpose.
The Early Days & The Unexpected Struggles
When I started Anointed Works® in 2018, I made sure everything was done properly. I personally oversaw the company's birth and slow debut. I filed to become a legal LLC Corporation, I registered with required government agencies and even obtained the BBB seal to prove my company and its employees were not a scam. I went further by registering the company’s name and logos with the United States Patent & Trademark Office to protect the company's assets. I hired a PR agency, ran ads, promoted by word of mouth and got verified on social media. I defended the company’s integrity when outsiders attacked us for eight years and still do on occasion.
Despite all this, no one bought my eBooks, Zaion Studio's eBooks, visited the website, created an account, or joined our VIP community, The Velvet Rope. The silence from seeing all of this fall apart in front of me year after year was deafening and yes, if you're wondering, I wanted to burn everything and pretend that the Lord made a mistake when I knew deep down, They had not. To add further insult to injury, the churches, which I expected to support this ministry, stayed distant because I focus on anime culture as a way to witness to readers. The on-going rejection from both the market and the church was painful and if I'm going to be honest, sorely repulsive to the point I didn't want their support, prayer support or money because it was going to be given out of pity or forced obligation.
Understanding The Role of Elohim In The Journey
At first, I was confused and frustrated. How could I do everything right and still face failure? Then it hit me: Elohim has the final say. No matter what I do, if They do not want Anointed Works® to rise right now, it will not happen until They decide to exalt Their ministry. Notice how I said "Their ministry" not "my ministry". At no point have claimed credit for what is happening with Anointed Works® and I never plan on it. It is not good to do, because then I could boast of what I did with my own hands and I assure that I cannot do a single thing without the Elohim at the forefront. Anyways, moving on. The realization of knowing nothing will move, no readers will comes, no sales will happen until Elohim wants it to, changed my perspective. Failure and rejection are not signs of defeat or that I'm doing something wrong, but signals to keep trusting the process and the timing of Elohim, who oversee the progress and progression of Anointed Works® 24/7.
I want people to grasp and understand that waiting this out and waiting for the Elohim to exalt Anointed Works® is not the problem. What matters is what I do during the wait. Why should success and money make me smile or motivate me? I came from dirt, as did aw'dom's (humanity) First Parents, Adom and Chavah (Eve). I think sometimes terrestrials forget where they come from and it isn't a high place, it isn't wealth and it isn't something to boast about. We come from the ground, the soil, the lowest level one can see and stand on. Not the sky, not the mountains--the ground. There is no scripture that condones depression or commands us to hate or resent poverty. Quite the opposite. There are several scriptures that remind aw'dom that rich or poor, Elohim made both and rich or poor, we all have the same end and rich or poor, we all came into this world naked, kicking and screaming.
There is no shame in poverty no more than there is to work hard for wealth or to be born into wealth. The attitude behind it, is where things will get heated. If I am going to be consistent, then people of all walks of life and all social classes should be able to look upon me and my company and see that I am content and not bothered. Why choose depression, anger and disappointment and loathe poverty and spend all that energy on a negative when I can choose to spend that same energy on positivity? I choose to embrace the struggle, the rejection and the failure with a smile, not a glare and nashing of teeth like I did when I first started. Every single experience since 2018 has taught me what works and what doesn’t and no where did I have to be upset long term. I could have done better and I wished I had, now that I am older I see the importance in the hardships. They help me improve marketing strategies, sharpen leadership skills and deepen my emunah with Elohim because I refuse to let Lucifer and all the evil spirits win in this war of good verses evil.
Lessons Learned from Failure & Rejection
Here are some practical lessons I have learned through this journey.
Legal and formal steps are necessary, but not sufficient. Having all the paperwork and registrations does not guarantee success. It builds trust with others, but does not create demand or loyal base of clientele.
Marketing requires constant adaptation. What worked yesterday may not work today or in five years from now. I keep testing new approaches, learning from what fails and refining my message to make it clearer so people can better understand the mission and purpose of Anointed Works®.
Christian/Judeo Christian Community support is crucial, but not always available. The church’s hesitation to support a ministry focused on anime culture taught me to find strength beyond traditional support systems, but only if led by the Elohim to do so. Going to the church wasn't wrong, but expecting the church to help or approve of this unique calling, is misplaced and must come to close if I am to grow and find success for Anointed Works®.
Emunah and patience are essential. Trusting Elohim’s timing helps me stay grounded and motivated despite setbacks. They are outside of time, so I should work on their immortal clock, not my mortal clock that is bound by time.
Failure reveals hidden opportunities. Each rejection pushes me to explore new ideas and connect with different audiences, investors, etc.
Using Anime Culture To Reach Readers
One unique aspect of Anointed Works® is our focus on anime culture to witness to readers. This approach is unconventional and not widely accepted by the church, but it resonates with many young people today. By blending Elohim with popular titles in anime culture, I aim to reach Christians and even Pagans who might not engage with traditional ministry. This strategy requires creativity and resilience. It means facing criticism and rejection but also discovering new ways to connect and inspire. The eBook I created and will create in my future, is constantly part of this effort, designed to speak directly to those who like anime or have a respect for it, but also for people who are caught between trying to understand Christianity while still yet preferring the effects of entertainment in anime culture.
Moving Forward With Purpose
Failure and rejection are not the end and will not be will I die. I mean this metaphorically, spiritually and physically. Failure and rejection are part of the process that shapes a stronger, wiser business and ministry. I am going to enjoy myself, I am going to continue to build Anointed Works® with unshakeable emunah, patience and a willingness to learn from saved and unsaved people who are willing to listen to me and teach me. I strongly encourage other rising Christians, Christian and entrepreneurs to see setbacks as opportunities to grow, not a dead end block that Hell would have you believe it to mean.
If you are a saved person reading my blog entry, and are currently facing rejection or failure or about to experience either, remember that your value is not defined by immediate success. Keep refining your approach, stay true to your mission from Elohim and love your journey, enjoy the journey and take as much time as you need. The struggle can be fun, a means to promote more paths to take until the Lord will exalt you on the right path. The Lord will never exalt you on a dead path or a evil path, only the right one and the path that is perfect for you. Because at the end of my day, it does not bring my lev pleasure to inherit the entire corrupted world, gain fame and have money and loose Elohim.
Elohim is my everything. I adore Them more than anything so if this is true on my part, my attitude and actions should reflect that whether I be poor or rich. I can't take this stuff with me when I die anyway... the only thing I can take is my relationship with Them.
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