Before she was the queen of real estate or a fan-favorite on Shark Tank, Barbara Corcoran was getting told “no” a lot—like, a lot a lot. She doesn’t have an Ivy League degree or fancy résumé. Just a waitress-turned-businesswoman with a $1,000 loan and something to prove.
But Barbara didn’t let rejection shut her down. She used it to fire herself up. Over the years, she’s turned a truckload of “no thanks” into a multimillion-dollar empire, and along the way, she’s shared some brutally honest, weirdly uplifting, and sneakily brilliant advice on how to do the same.
Get ready for lessons that are part pep talk, part tough love — and 100% Barbara.
Reframe Rejection as Redirection
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Rejection isn’t a failure. Barbara Corcoran doesn’t treat rejection like a stop sign. Instead of sulking after a “no,” she leans in and asks, “Okay, what’s next?” She swears that some of her best wins came right after the doors slammed shut.
Turn Weaknesses Into Strengths
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Dyslexia could’ve been her downfall. Instead, Barbara used it to see things differently and find unorthodox solutions that others missed. But she turned her dyslexia into a creative advantage. The thing you’ve been hiding or fighting against might actually be your unfair advantage. Accept it, sharpen it, and use it to outsmart the crowd.
Out-Try Everyone
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She doesn’t believe in being the smartest in the room, just the one who tries the hardest. To her, her work ethic beats natural talent every time. Barbara’s more impressed by grit than IQ. She credits her success to being relentless— out-hustling, out-calling, and outlasting everyone else.
Be Authentically You
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Barbara emphasizes authenticity, saying it helps you stand out and build trust. When she’s pitching a business or selling a vision, she always leads with her real self. That uniqueness is what makes people remember you, trust you, and want to work with you.
Get Creative With Solutions
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Because traditional systems didn’t work for her, she developed her own and encourages others to do the same. Innovation often starts by doing things differently. If the standard route feels like a dead end, she says it’s time to build your own path. Creativity is a survival skill in business.
Build a Support System
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Sure, Barbara’s known for her independence, but she never forgets the power of support. She credits her success to people who believed in her early on, especially her mother. She encourages finding mentors and surrounding yourself with positive influences.
Keep Going, No Matter What
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She insists that sticking with something, especially when it's hard, is what separates the winners from the rest. You won’t find Barbara bragging about overnight success stories, mostly because she doesn’t believe in them. When things got hard, she didn’t back down; she doubled down. Persistence is her superpower.
Tell a Good Story
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Numbers don’t move people — stories do. Barbara’s built empires on the power of a good tale. A well-told story can stick with someone long after the data fades. Make them feel it, and they’ll remember you.
Don't Undervalue Yourself
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She advises against selling yourself short. Believing in your worth is crucial, as undervaluing yourself can lead to missed opportunities and diminished confidence. Know your value, own it, and step into rooms like you belong there — because you do.
Don't Overvalue Yourself
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While confidence is essential, Corcoran warns against overestimating your value without evidence to back it up. It's important to find a balance and ensure that your self-assessment aligns with your actual achievements and capabilities.
Believe Against All Odds
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Barbara believes that bold belief — the kind that borders on stubborn — is often what tips the scales. Even when logic says “give up,” she advises throwing yourself in headfirst. That kind of fire tends to draw people in and open doors you didn’t see coming.
Take the Money Out of the Equation
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For new graduates, Corcoran advises choosing jobs based on learning opportunities rather than salary. She believes that gaining experience and skills early in one's career is more valuable than immediate financial compensation.
Imposter Syndrome Can Be an Asset
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Corcoran acknowledges that many successful entrepreneurs experience impostor syndrome. She views this self-doubt as a motivator that drives individuals to work harder and achieve more. According to her, it’s not a flaw, it’s fuel.
Be Likable and Aggressive
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She believes that being both likable and assertive is key to success, especially for women in business. She says you don’t have to choose between being liked and being taken seriously — in fact, the sweet spot is doing both. Be kind, speak up, and don’t apologize for being ambitious.
Act Young and Full of Life
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She’s seen it too many times: experienced professionals sidelined because they seem old. Her solution is to bring the energy. Enthusiasm is magnetic, and Barbara believes that acting full of life, because you are, helps dismantle ageist assumptions before they even start.