Having hates is an inevitable part of any bold journey – everyone who has made a difference in the world has had doubters and critics. As natural as haters might be, in the age of social media it’s become harder and hard to ignore them – and so we asked some brilliant creatives and entrepreneurs to tell us how they deal with haters.
Killian Hough
Well… I feel that when you love something you’re doing, you shouldn’t have to justify it to the least supportive people in your life. They don’t really seem to want you to be happy with yourself. I even have family who have tried to make sure I know my successes are very small and not earned. I was given an honorable mention for my acting performance in a short film recently. When I posted about that news, a family member sent me a dm with a reel implying that it’s not that I was good, it’s that the people around me on the project just made me look good. All that really communicated was that they think I’m not actually good enough to have received that mention. I’m just lucky, apparently. They didn’t congratulate me on the achievement at all, so I don’t know how else they could have expected me to interpret that. Joke’s on them though, because I also worked behind the scenes, and I am very aware it’s a team effort to make these projects. Read more>>
Rosalind Smith
First, by accepting that you can’t please everybody. There will always be critics of your work. Always.
But a critics words won’t lead you to performing better. They won’t help you become stronger at your work. They won’t help you gain clarity with your vision /or your goals. So, what is the point of listening to them? No matter who they are, or what they say, their words won’t actually help you. They literally do not matter.
When it feels hard to tune out any haters’ voices, I think it can be helpful to remember why you started. At the end of the day, we don’t have to report to anyone but ourselves. When you go to bed at night, are YOU proud of how you did? If the answer is yes, you’re doing exactly as you should. Read more>>
Max Kagno
Being able to persist in spite of people and circumstances was really my catalyst to taking my work more seriously. My high art teach told me my concept for my portfolio review was a terrible idea and I wouldn’t pass because of it…so I not only did it I got a near perfect score to rub it in her face. It was because of that, that I realized I will push myself even further just to prove to people that I can overcome what they think I can’t do. Turning my stubbornness into drive. Read more>>
David “el Chiquis” Quintero
Being a content creator and not having haters, would be like being a politician with no opposition. Unfortunately, a lot of people like to hide behind a screen and sometimes they don’t think about the effects that a message can have on the person they’re hating on. This is something I had to learn to deal with and I had to understand that I don’t have to give that kind of power to people that are not part of my community in social media or in life.
I would advice anyone who is a content creator, a creative or an entrepreneur to just keep going. The more you keep growing, the more “opposition” you’re going to find along the way, but that doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong (obviously, be responsible with the message that you’re putting out there for millions of people). Read more>>
Wendy Lamotta
The haters, nay-sayers and chronic negative people will always be around. However, creating Round 2 Resources has been a desire of mine since childhood. I call it my God-given destiny. The feeling has been so strong that I have never considered any other option. However, there are days when it’s just hard. In those moments I reach out to my inner circle of friends and family for support and advice. I heard a quote by Cory Booker, “sometimes asking for help is the most meaningful form of self-reliance”. Realizing I have resources of my own to access, and to not try to do everything alone helps keep my resilience strong against those trying to dissuade me from my goals. Read more>>
Taliah Karim
Persisting despite haters and naysayers has been a journey shaped by both personal experience and mindset. Early in my career, I encountered doubters who questioned my ability to succeed in real estate—whether it was about my knowledge, my vision, or even my competition. Instead of letting their negativity define me, I chose to let it fuel me. Read more>>
Elle Pirmoradi
From my experience, it comes down to your gut. Only you know your vision and until it’s realized, it’s understandingly difficult for other people to see it. I never doubted the product I was creating, that was a big plus. There were other hurdles like logistics and labor, but making my version of a perfect piece of jewelry always pushed me the right way. Getting Bangelle off the ground was a bit like a puzzle, in that I had the right parts and needed to figure out how to piece them together.
I started a high-end jewelry line, dealing with other people’s anticipation is a luxurious problem to have – there are bigger problems in the world. It’s good to keep that in perspective. Every now and then the price point raises eyebrows; to which I proudly say that all pieces are in 18K yellow, rose and white gold, meticulously made by hand in Los Angeles. Read more>>
Bill D. Shin
To be honest, I find it hard to answer questions like this because I don’t really see myself as ‘dealing’ with criticism. If someone’s goal is just to criticize me to hurt my feelings, I don’t give them that power. Instead, I actually feel kind of sorry for them. I mean, what could be a bigger waste of time in life than trying to bring others down? It makes their life seem so empty, and honestly, I can’t let that affect me. Read more>>
The Real Li
I think knowing that I’m gonna die one day. I want to do so knowing I lived my life for me. Cuz at the end of the day nothing really matters and most people are going to forget you. You mine as well do what you want. I’d continue doing music whether I become A-list or not, it’s my favorite thing in the world. Read more>>
Jalen Oban
I’ve always believed that negativity from others is often a reflection of their own struggles, not mine. I try to tune out the noise and focus on what really matters—my growth, my passion, and the community I’m building through my work. If there’s constructive advice buried in the criticism, I take it to heart because I’m always looking to improve. But ultimately, I remind myself that I’m just getting started, and the journey is mine to shape. Read more>>
