Before You Begin: A Business Starter Guide for Women Who Want to Do Their Own Thing by Dr. Anu Khanchandani

 

Reading this book felt like having a deeply honest conversation with a mentor who understands not just business—but your life, your doubts, and your heart. It’s not just a book; it’s a lifeline for every woman who has ever whispered to herself, “I want to start something… but I don’t know where to begin.”

I picked up this book thinking I’d get a few practical steps. What I got was clarity, compassion, and courage.

This guide stands apart because it doesn’t shout “hustle harder.” Instead, it gently asks, “What do you want to feel again?” Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, someone returning after a career break, or simply feeling stuck in a loop of hesitation—this book gets you.

Each chapter unpacks the emotional and practical blocks that stop women from starting—from fear of judgment, lack of clarity, guilt, and even the idea of “not being the business type.” What makes it powerful is how personal it feels. The real-life stories of women, the exercises, the reflection prompts—they made me pause, think, and *write*. I could feel myself slowly peeling away years of internal noise.

One of my favorite parts was the "Life-First Business Filter." Instead of chasing flashy trends, the author helps you align your idea with your actual life—your time, energy, resources, and season. It’s so refreshing to hear that your business doesn’t have to be massive. It just has to fit *you*.

“If you’re still waiting for a perfect idea, maybe start with a personal reason,” the book says. That hit home. The permission to start small, the belief that your “why” matters, even if it’s quiet or practical—it’s liberating.

This book helped me move from overthinking to doing. It reminded me that clarity doesn’t come before action—it 'comes through' action. And it left me with a simple, powerful truth: “You don’t need to be fearless. You just need to be ready.”

If you're a woman quietly dreaming of doing your own thing—read this. Highlight it. Write in it. Come back to it. It might just be the nudge that sets your entire journey in motion.