Where most people give up after a handful of rejections, Seth Godin got rejected 800 times by editors before finally making a big break. For him, every “no” was a clue. He adapted and mastered the system, and soon, the same editors who dismissed him were calling him first. His success wasn’t luck or passion. It was built by showing up, iterating, and playing the long game. In this episode, Seth joins Ilana to reveal why most people quit before they succeed, how to market ideas people want, and why smart strategy, not passion, drives real success.

Seth Godin is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, and marketing expert widely recognized for his groundbreaking ideas on marketing, leadership, and business innovation. He inspires individuals and businesses to make a difference by being creative, authentic, and impactful.

In this episode, Ilana and Seth will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction 

(01:34) Startup Failures and Early Struggles

(02:48) From 800 Rejections to Breakthrough

(04:34) Turning Rejections into Strategic Insights

(06:25) How to Lead Change Amid Resistance

(09:23) Why Commitment Beats Passion

(11:12) The Dip: Knowing When to Stay or Quit

(14:31) How to Create Value in Niche Spaces

(19:32) Building Success with Constant Iteration

(23:33) Strategies for Earning Your Worth

(27:06) Building Brand Reputation Through Consistency

(31:55) The Chocolate Bar Marketing Strategy

(34:34) Embracing Failure as Part of the Journey

Seth Godin is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, and marketing expert widely recognized for his groundbreaking ideas on marketing, leadership, and business innovation. He is the author of over 20 best-selling books, including Purple Cow, and This Is Marketing. Seth inspires individuals and businesses to make a difference by being creative, authentic, and impactful.

Connect with Seth:

Seth’s Website: https://www.sethgodin.com/ 

Seth’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sethgodin/

Resources Mentioned:

Seth’s Blog: https://seths.blog/ 

Seth’s Book, The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick) https://www.amazon.com/Dip-Little-Book-Teaches-Stick/dp/1591841666

Seth’s Book, This Is Strategy: Make Better Plans: https://www.amazon.com/This-Strategy-Better-Elevate-Community/dp/B0D47T8S7N 

Seth’s Book, This Is Marketing: You Can't Be Seen Until You Learn to See: https://www.amazon.com/This-Marketing-Cant-Until-Learn/dp/0525540830/ 

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