It used to be that if someone at the top said no, then that would be it. You’ve hit the dead-end and you can’t go any further.
Now, when people say no, what you should be hearing is; “it’s not for me”. In this connected age if someone says no, all you have to do is find someone that says; “yes, that’s for me. I want to be a part of what you are doing.”.
Go around. There are so many opportunities that if you just peep around that corner or look under that un-turned stone you’ll find your “yes!”.