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Follow Every Rainbow
Meena Bindra did it. Jasu Shilpi did it. Nina Lekhi did it. Follow Every Rainbow is the story of twenty-five enterprising women who took up a challenge. They raised a family as well as a company, with love, laugher and patience. Managing multiple equations - never giving in or giving up. These stories say one thing, loud and clear. Women think and act differently than men, but they can be just as successful. What ‘success’ means, is something only you can decide.
361 pages, Paperback
First published March 21, 2012
74 people are currently reading
697 people want to read
About the author
Rashmi Bansal
55 books533 followersRashmi Bansal is a writer, entrepreneur and youth expert.She is the author of two bestselling books on entrepreneurship. ‘Stay Hungry Stay Foolish’ features the stories of 25 MBAs who left lucrative jobs to follow the rough road of entrepreneurship. The book created a new record in Indian publishing by selling over 300,000 copies and has been translated into 8 languages.
Rashmi’s second book, ‘Connect the Dots’ focuses on non-MBA entrepreneurs. It has also been a bestseller, selling over 100,000 copies.
Her third book ‘I Have a Dream’, on social entrepreneurs, is releasing in May 2011.
Rashmi is co-founder and editor of JAM (Just Another Magazine), India’s leading youth magazine. She writes extensively on youth, careers and entrepreneurship on her popular blog: Youth Curry.
Rashmi is a columnist on popular Indian news portal Rediff.com. She has been Consulting Editor with Businessworld magazine and Bloomberg UTV, where she hosted India’s first interactive show on careers.
Rashmi is a consultant for international youth research agencies such as The Futures Company (a division of WPP, London ) and Flamingo Research (Singapore ).A guest lecturer at various business schools of repute including IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, ISB, S P Jain among others, Rashmi mentors numerous students and young entrepreneurs. She also conducts motivational talks and youth insight seminars for corporates.
Rashmi’s second book, ‘Connect the Dots’ focuses on non-MBA entrepreneurs. It has also been a bestseller, selling over 100,000 copies.
Her third book ‘I Have a Dream’, on social entrepreneurs, is releasing in May 2011.
Rashmi is co-founder and editor of JAM (Just Another Magazine), India’s leading youth magazine. She writes extensively on youth, careers and entrepreneurship on her popular blog: Youth Curry.
Rashmi is a columnist on popular Indian news portal Rediff.com. She has been Consulting Editor with Businessworld magazine and Bloomberg UTV, where she hosted India’s first interactive show on careers.
Rashmi is a consultant for international youth research agencies such as The Futures Company (a division of WPP, London ) and Flamingo Research (Singapore ).A guest lecturer at various business schools of repute including IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, ISB, S P Jain among others, Rashmi mentors numerous students and young entrepreneurs. She also conducts motivational talks and youth insight seminars for corporates.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
April 6, 2013
…Because life is much more colourful than you can imagine. The 25 women whom author Rashmi Bansal features in her fifth book have realised this and more.
In her blog, author Rashmi Bansal explains the reason for the title Follow Every Rainbow. The title is inspired from a line of her favourite song, “…follow every rainbow till you find your dream” from the movie The Sound of Music. “I chose this title because I think it describes the way women look at their lives and careers. We don’t want to climb every mountain just because it’s there. We need to see that rainbow over the horizon,” she writes of her choice of title.
It’s her fifth book and Rashmi is back with 25 stories on 25 women entrepreneurs across the country and the world. Like in her earlier books, Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish and Connect the Dots, here too the theme is entrepreneurship. The author has divided the stories in this book into three segments —Lakshmis, Durgas and Saraswatis.
Lakshmis are the women you do not typically expect to start businesses. They are not very educated and many of them are housewives. But once the business became a success, the other family members chipped in to carry on the good work, ‘because success is not something one seeks for the self, it is sweeter when shared by all’. Here, she gives us the success stories of Meena Bindra, the owner of
`300-crore salwar kameez selling brand Biba; of the grit and determination of Premlata Agarwal, the oldest woman to scale Mt Everest; of the intelligence and business acumen of ‘Loan Ranger’ Manju Bhatia, who, at 26, is the joint managing director of Vasuli, a pan-India loan recovery company which employs only women and more. Durgas are women who have faced personal tragedies in life, perhaps deaths or divorce, because of which they had to stand up on their own feet. Once they took up the challenge, they were up for it. Here you have sculptor Jasu Shilpi, who narrates why she choose such a profession— because Michaelangelo had said ‘sculpting is not a woman’s work’. The story of Ela Bhatt who runs SEWA is another awe-inspiring one.
The third category of women are the Saraswatis — the modern, educated women armed with professional degrees. At some point, they decided to drop out of the general rat race and start their own enterprise.
What these stories depict is that a woman need not need be a perfect mother or a perfect businesswoman, she just has to achieve the balance and each woman handles it in a different way. The book is a compilation of such interviews and though not a bestseller, it does make for some inspiring and interesting reading.
In her blog, author Rashmi Bansal explains the reason for the title Follow Every Rainbow. The title is inspired from a line of her favourite song, “…follow every rainbow till you find your dream” from the movie The Sound of Music. “I chose this title because I think it describes the way women look at their lives and careers. We don’t want to climb every mountain just because it’s there. We need to see that rainbow over the horizon,” she writes of her choice of title.
It’s her fifth book and Rashmi is back with 25 stories on 25 women entrepreneurs across the country and the world. Like in her earlier books, Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish and Connect the Dots, here too the theme is entrepreneurship. The author has divided the stories in this book into three segments —Lakshmis, Durgas and Saraswatis.
Lakshmis are the women you do not typically expect to start businesses. They are not very educated and many of them are housewives. But once the business became a success, the other family members chipped in to carry on the good work, ‘because success is not something one seeks for the self, it is sweeter when shared by all’. Here, she gives us the success stories of Meena Bindra, the owner of
`300-crore salwar kameez selling brand Biba; of the grit and determination of Premlata Agarwal, the oldest woman to scale Mt Everest; of the intelligence and business acumen of ‘Loan Ranger’ Manju Bhatia, who, at 26, is the joint managing director of Vasuli, a pan-India loan recovery company which employs only women and more. Durgas are women who have faced personal tragedies in life, perhaps deaths or divorce, because of which they had to stand up on their own feet. Once they took up the challenge, they were up for it. Here you have sculptor Jasu Shilpi, who narrates why she choose such a profession— because Michaelangelo had said ‘sculpting is not a woman’s work’. The story of Ela Bhatt who runs SEWA is another awe-inspiring one.
The third category of women are the Saraswatis — the modern, educated women armed with professional degrees. At some point, they decided to drop out of the general rat race and start their own enterprise.
What these stories depict is that a woman need not need be a perfect mother or a perfect businesswoman, she just has to achieve the balance and each woman handles it in a different way. The book is a compilation of such interviews and though not a bestseller, it does make for some inspiring and interesting reading.
April 14, 2013
The book’s blurb reads: Follow Every Rainbow is the story of 25 enterprising women who took up a challenge. They raised a family as well as a company, with love, laughter and patience. Managing multiple equations – never giving in or giving up. These stories say one thing loud and clear. Women think and act differently, but they can be just as successful. What `success’ means, is something only you can decide.
Rashmi Bansal is the author of four non-fiction books – I Have A Dream, Stay Hungry Stay Foolish, Connect The Dots and Poor Little Rich Slum. The first three deal with entrepreneurs while the fourth is a description of Dharavi, Asia’s largest slum.
However, in Follow Every Rainbow, Rashmi has specifically compiled a list of 25 women entrepreneurs. This interested me because (a) I am a woman myself and (b) There are not many books available on women entrepreneurs, especially in India.
What amazed me was that Rashmi has dedicated the book to her mother-in-law Santosh Bansal. In a country where Ekta Kapoor’s regressive serials rule the roost, this came across as a refreshing change. However, as I read through the book, my amazement diminished. Many of the women entrepreneurs openly credited both their mothers and mothers-in-law for providing them the kind of support which enabled them to set-up and run their businesses.
The title of the book has been taken from The Sound of Music (Climb every mountain, Ford every stream, Follow every rainbow, Till you find your dream). As she mentions in her note, although women are as capable as men, the circumstances must allow. However, women shall show new ways of thinking and doing things.
The book has been divided into three sections – Lakshmi, Durga and Saraswati. The eight women featured under Lakshmi are the `ghar ki lakshmis` who brought wealth and prosperity to the home – by co-opting family members into their business. Circumstances forced the eight women featured under Durga to be enterprising, to fight for survival; they rose to the challenge, slaying demons within and without. The nine women featured under Saraswati are armed with a professional education and they are carving out an identity through entrepreneurship.
A common theme running across all the women’s experiences is the immense support they have received from their family members – parents, in-laws, husband, children, etc. Rashmi makes no bones about the fact that starting and running a business is tough for a woman and she will need all the help she can get from her family. Another point beautifully brought out reading through the book is that children are proud of the fact that they have a working mother – someone who is doing something on her own. Most times, women feel guilty that they are not doing enough as a mother. However, Rashmi’s narrative says that need not be the case. As long as you have a support system in the form of maids and cooks, in addition to your family members, you can manage a business. Her advice to women entrepreneurs is that we underestimate ourselves a lot. We have to be proud of what we are and whatever we do, we should do it fully; we owe it to ourselves.
What shines across in the book is the fact that all the women wanted to give back something to society. They were passionate about what they were doing and did not bother about making profits in the beginning itself. They were more focused on doing a good job and satisfying their customers.
The women featured in the book are from diverse fields such as cooking food (Rajni Bector, Patricia Narayan), tribal arts (Leela Bordia, Neeti Tah), information technology (Sangeeta Patni), sculptor (Jasu Shilpi), etc. The eldest woman featured in the book is Ela Bhatt (79 years) – the founder of SEWA (Self-Employed Women’s Association) and the youngest is Manju Bhatia (26 years) – Joint Managing Director of Vasuli, a loan recovery company which employs only female agents.
I personally enjoyed reading about Meena Bindra (Biba) because my mother and I are huge fans of Biba and buy quite a lot of their stuff; Nirmala Kandalgaonkar (Vivam Agrotech) because she is in the unusual business of vermicomposting; Jasu Shilpi because she was India’s only woman sculptor and Dr. Shikha Sharma (Nutrihealth Systems) because I have seen her a lot on television.
Rashmi’s writing style is casual and easy-to-read. She has retained the conversational aspect in a lot of places providing translations in English where the phrases are in Hindi. She has conducted detailed interviews with each of the women considering the fact that each woman’s narrative runs into 10-12 pages. Reading through these, one gets a fair idea of the business and what it entails. In almost all the narratives, Rashmi has also mentioned the latest financials – sales turnover and/or profit figures whichever are available. This helps to get an idea of the size of the venture.
I urge everybody, especially every woman, to go and read this book. It is an eye-opener in terms of the challenges that women are willing to accept and forge ahead; taking their families together with them in this journey. It also gives insights into the areas which women are willing to explore and make their mark in.
The surprise at the end of the book is the fact that Rashmi has provided the e-mail addresses of all the 25 women in case one wishes to get in touch with them for help/advice. She has also provided a list of useful entrepreneurial courses available at various institutes and organizations willing to offer flexi-time careers to women.
Pick up this book and you will not regret it. It will open up your mind like never before to the immense power of a woman. And in this nation of ours where we worship female goddesses such as Lakshmi, Durga, Saraswati, Kali, Devaki, etc. it makes immense sense. Respect a woman, support her in her endeavours and see the magic she creates – that is the central theme of this book. And every man and woman should remember this. Reading Rashmi Bansal’s book will ensure we do just that.
I am going with 5/5 for this book.
Disclaimer: This review first appeared on my blog www.pallosworld.blogspot.in.
Rashmi Bansal is the author of four non-fiction books – I Have A Dream, Stay Hungry Stay Foolish, Connect The Dots and Poor Little Rich Slum. The first three deal with entrepreneurs while the fourth is a description of Dharavi, Asia’s largest slum.
However, in Follow Every Rainbow, Rashmi has specifically compiled a list of 25 women entrepreneurs. This interested me because (a) I am a woman myself and (b) There are not many books available on women entrepreneurs, especially in India.
What amazed me was that Rashmi has dedicated the book to her mother-in-law Santosh Bansal. In a country where Ekta Kapoor’s regressive serials rule the roost, this came across as a refreshing change. However, as I read through the book, my amazement diminished. Many of the women entrepreneurs openly credited both their mothers and mothers-in-law for providing them the kind of support which enabled them to set-up and run their businesses.
The title of the book has been taken from The Sound of Music (Climb every mountain, Ford every stream, Follow every rainbow, Till you find your dream). As she mentions in her note, although women are as capable as men, the circumstances must allow. However, women shall show new ways of thinking and doing things.
The book has been divided into three sections – Lakshmi, Durga and Saraswati. The eight women featured under Lakshmi are the `ghar ki lakshmis` who brought wealth and prosperity to the home – by co-opting family members into their business. Circumstances forced the eight women featured under Durga to be enterprising, to fight for survival; they rose to the challenge, slaying demons within and without. The nine women featured under Saraswati are armed with a professional education and they are carving out an identity through entrepreneurship.
A common theme running across all the women’s experiences is the immense support they have received from their family members – parents, in-laws, husband, children, etc. Rashmi makes no bones about the fact that starting and running a business is tough for a woman and she will need all the help she can get from her family. Another point beautifully brought out reading through the book is that children are proud of the fact that they have a working mother – someone who is doing something on her own. Most times, women feel guilty that they are not doing enough as a mother. However, Rashmi’s narrative says that need not be the case. As long as you have a support system in the form of maids and cooks, in addition to your family members, you can manage a business. Her advice to women entrepreneurs is that we underestimate ourselves a lot. We have to be proud of what we are and whatever we do, we should do it fully; we owe it to ourselves.
What shines across in the book is the fact that all the women wanted to give back something to society. They were passionate about what they were doing and did not bother about making profits in the beginning itself. They were more focused on doing a good job and satisfying their customers.
The women featured in the book are from diverse fields such as cooking food (Rajni Bector, Patricia Narayan), tribal arts (Leela Bordia, Neeti Tah), information technology (Sangeeta Patni), sculptor (Jasu Shilpi), etc. The eldest woman featured in the book is Ela Bhatt (79 years) – the founder of SEWA (Self-Employed Women’s Association) and the youngest is Manju Bhatia (26 years) – Joint Managing Director of Vasuli, a loan recovery company which employs only female agents.
I personally enjoyed reading about Meena Bindra (Biba) because my mother and I are huge fans of Biba and buy quite a lot of their stuff; Nirmala Kandalgaonkar (Vivam Agrotech) because she is in the unusual business of vermicomposting; Jasu Shilpi because she was India’s only woman sculptor and Dr. Shikha Sharma (Nutrihealth Systems) because I have seen her a lot on television.
Rashmi’s writing style is casual and easy-to-read. She has retained the conversational aspect in a lot of places providing translations in English where the phrases are in Hindi. She has conducted detailed interviews with each of the women considering the fact that each woman’s narrative runs into 10-12 pages. Reading through these, one gets a fair idea of the business and what it entails. In almost all the narratives, Rashmi has also mentioned the latest financials – sales turnover and/or profit figures whichever are available. This helps to get an idea of the size of the venture.
I urge everybody, especially every woman, to go and read this book. It is an eye-opener in terms of the challenges that women are willing to accept and forge ahead; taking their families together with them in this journey. It also gives insights into the areas which women are willing to explore and make their mark in.
The surprise at the end of the book is the fact that Rashmi has provided the e-mail addresses of all the 25 women in case one wishes to get in touch with them for help/advice. She has also provided a list of useful entrepreneurial courses available at various institutes and organizations willing to offer flexi-time careers to women.
Pick up this book and you will not regret it. It will open up your mind like never before to the immense power of a woman. And in this nation of ours where we worship female goddesses such as Lakshmi, Durga, Saraswati, Kali, Devaki, etc. it makes immense sense. Respect a woman, support her in her endeavours and see the magic she creates – that is the central theme of this book. And every man and woman should remember this. Reading Rashmi Bansal’s book will ensure we do just that.
I am going with 5/5 for this book.
Disclaimer: This review first appeared on my blog www.pallosworld.blogspot.in.
May 11, 2013
Awesome cool story of 25 Women Entrepreneurs, who have made a mark in the world of business, from different backgrounds but with one single dream of Following Every Rainbow, i.e, to do something not only for their personal fulfilment but also for the people and society around them.
A Must Read for all those who want to follow their dreams and achieve something in life.
I was unable to put down this book once I started reading it and each story is a story of determination and courage to achieve something in life.
My Rating: 5/5
A Must Read for all those who want to follow their dreams and achieve something in life.
I was unable to put down this book once I started reading it and each story is a story of determination and courage to achieve something in life.
My Rating: 5/5
September 10, 2013
..the book shares stories of 25 first-generation Female entrepreneurs..inspiring stories about their survival..All of Rashmi Bansal's books are a based on life of entrepreneurs, this one being special since it not only talks about entrepreneurs who worked with their families, but also those who fought against odds to survive and those who left a high-flying career to make a name..
Amongst other things that you learn from the book, 'perseverance' is definitely my important learning..
Overall, a pleasant read..
Amongst other things that you learn from the book, 'perseverance' is definitely my important learning..
Overall, a pleasant read..
June 26, 2017
This book is written in very simple English, making it a very easy read! It is an inspiring book for all those out there, especially women, who want to make a mark in their lives :)
May 27, 2013
First generation women entrepreneurs are rare in India.The author narrates here some of the inspiring stories.She tells that with family support and passion,women in India can excel as top-notch entrepreneurs...
September 26, 2013
I think every woman has her own inner-self. Even when she strives to maintain her family balance, she is strong enough to follow her dreams and through them serve not only to her family but to the whole society.
A must read for every ambitious lady.
A must read for every ambitious lady.
May 12, 2025
In a world where women often juggle multiple roles, Follow Every Rainbow by Rashmi Bansal shines a spotlight on 25 Indian women who dared to dream beyond societal expectations. Bansal, renowned for her works like Stay Hungry Stay Foolish and Connect the Dots, brings her journalistic prowess to narrate these compelling stories of female entrepreneurship. Her background as an IIM Ahmedabad alumna and her experience in youth-centric journalism lend authenticity and depth to her writing.
Follow Every Rainbow is a collection of narratives about 25 women entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds in India. The book is structured into three sections—Lakshmi, Durga, and Saraswati—each symbolizing different facets of womanhood and entrepreneurship. From homemakers who transformed their kitchens into business hubs to educated professionals who left corporate jobs to pursue their passions, these stories encapsulate resilience, innovation, and determination.
Bansal employs a conversational and accessible writing style, making complex entrepreneurial journeys relatable to readers. She incorporates dialogues and personal anecdotes, allowing the voices of these women to resonate authentically. The use of simple language ensures that the book appeals to a broad audience, including those new to entrepreneurial literature.
The protagonists of these stories are real women who have faced and overcome significant challenges. Their ventures span various industries, from fashion and food to technology and social work. Each narrative delves into their motivations, struggles, and triumphs, offering readers a comprehensive view of their entrepreneurial journeys.
The book's division into Lakshmi, Durga, and Saraswati provides a thematic structure that reflects the multifaceted nature of women's experiences. This categorization not only honors traditional Indian symbolism but also effectively organizes the diverse stories, enhancing the reader's engagement and understanding.
Central themes include perseverance, balancing personal and professional lives, and challenging societal norms. The book underscores the idea that success is not monolithic and that women can define and achieve it on their terms. It also highlights the importance of support systems, be it family, community, or mentors, in facilitating women's entrepreneurial endeavors.
Reading these stories evokes a spectrum of emotions—from admiration for their courage to empathy for their struggles. The narratives inspire and motivate, serving as a testament to the indomitable spirit of women who pursue their dreams despite obstacles.
One of the book’s major strengths lies in its diversity of stories, as it covers a wide spectrum of industries and backgrounds, reflecting the remarkable versatility of women entrepreneurs across India. Rashmi Bansal ensures that the authentic voices of these women shine through by letting them narrate their journeys in their own words, which adds a layer of honesty and relatability. Additionally, the inclusion of practical insights at the end of each story offers valuable, actionable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, making the book both inspirational and instructive.
While the book offers valuable insights, some stories could benefit from more in-depth exploration of the challenges faced and strategies employed. Additionally, a few narratives might seem repetitive in themes, which could have been mitigated with more varied storytelling techniques.
As someone deeply interested in entrepreneurship and gender studies, this book resonated with me profoundly. It not only celebrates women's achievements but also provides a realistic portrayal of the hurdles they face. The stories serve as both inspiration and a call to action for creating more inclusive support systems for women in business.
Follow Every Rainbow is a compelling compilation that highlights the resilience and ingenuity of Indian women entrepreneurs. Rashmi Bansal's empathetic storytelling and the authentic voices of the women featured make this book a valuable read for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, gender dynamics, or personal growth. I highly recommend it and rate it 4.5 out of 5.
May 16, 2018
Book Name : Follow Every Rainbow
Author : Rashmi Bansal
Blurb/Theme : Entrepreneurship by women is still considered as a taboo in some sections of the Indian Society. While there are numerous such hurdles for women, Follow Every Rainbow presents us with the stories of 25 women who fought their way through difficulties and achieved their dreams. Juggling family responsibilities, these 25 women entrepreneurs have proved that women though being different from men, can be equally successful.
Follow Every Rainbow is divided into three sections named Lakshmi, Saraswati and Durga, each representing unique women power.
The section Lakshmi is devoted to entrepreneurs, who with the support of their family achieved success and also made it a point to not compromise family over work.
The section Durga is about women who had to fight all hindrances that came in their way and had to battle for their dreams.
The last section, Saraswati consists of the stories of educated women entrepreneurs.
About:
I do judge a book by its cover and the cover was kinda cute.
Grammatical errors did irk my reading pace but I was always interested in women entrepreneurship, it fascinated me to read on.
Dedication to mother in law which was a real surprise.
Life is to see the possibilities more rather than the obstacles and I do agree that family can either be a support structure or a liability but I feel it can be a mixed ratio too in some cases.
Clarity of mind and purpose goes a long way. Yes, for sure!
Some ideas which I did not agree with some women entrepreneurs were
“Don’t be just egg producing machines” – Children are a part of womanhood and that’s the pride that very few mothers get.
Be Career focused – This is good in one perspective but not at the cost of sacrificing family.
Be far ahead of men – The question is not that but the answer is - Have a life of self respect and happiness. We need not prove to any one or any man that we are superior than them. Success can be had together also, hand in hand.
Some men do let us down, they are never with us when we need them, look down upon us but I guess its their broughtup, so nothing much can be changed but there are some men who empathize and console us, pray for us and most importantly don’t nag us to do this or that.
They give us time to recuperate which is the real freedom for a woman.
I agree that Life is tough, we have to get used to it. The moment we breathe that all is well, suddenly something shatters and that feel to just hang on, the feel that this too will pass , the thought that there is light at the end of the tunnel, does motivate me in the long way but without people believing in us and in our skills, its difficult.
All the stories mentioned did have a small idea which was eventually evolved, then they faced a lot of hurdles and labels by people and ultimately it culminated in them being labeled as Women Entrepreneur. This book is motivational but not all stories are same because everyone has a different story to tell.. So which is your story in these? Read it to find out.
I would rate this book as 4/5
Author : Rashmi Bansal
Blurb/Theme : Entrepreneurship by women is still considered as a taboo in some sections of the Indian Society. While there are numerous such hurdles for women, Follow Every Rainbow presents us with the stories of 25 women who fought their way through difficulties and achieved their dreams. Juggling family responsibilities, these 25 women entrepreneurs have proved that women though being different from men, can be equally successful.
Follow Every Rainbow is divided into three sections named Lakshmi, Saraswati and Durga, each representing unique women power.
The section Lakshmi is devoted to entrepreneurs, who with the support of their family achieved success and also made it a point to not compromise family over work.
The section Durga is about women who had to fight all hindrances that came in their way and had to battle for their dreams.
The last section, Saraswati consists of the stories of educated women entrepreneurs.
About:
I do judge a book by its cover and the cover was kinda cute.
Grammatical errors did irk my reading pace but I was always interested in women entrepreneurship, it fascinated me to read on.
Dedication to mother in law which was a real surprise.
Life is to see the possibilities more rather than the obstacles and I do agree that family can either be a support structure or a liability but I feel it can be a mixed ratio too in some cases.
Clarity of mind and purpose goes a long way. Yes, for sure!
Some ideas which I did not agree with some women entrepreneurs were
“Don’t be just egg producing machines” – Children are a part of womanhood and that’s the pride that very few mothers get.
Be Career focused – This is good in one perspective but not at the cost of sacrificing family.
Be far ahead of men – The question is not that but the answer is - Have a life of self respect and happiness. We need not prove to any one or any man that we are superior than them. Success can be had together also, hand in hand.
Some men do let us down, they are never with us when we need them, look down upon us but I guess its their broughtup, so nothing much can be changed but there are some men who empathize and console us, pray for us and most importantly don’t nag us to do this or that.
They give us time to recuperate which is the real freedom for a woman.
I agree that Life is tough, we have to get used to it. The moment we breathe that all is well, suddenly something shatters and that feel to just hang on, the feel that this too will pass , the thought that there is light at the end of the tunnel, does motivate me in the long way but without people believing in us and in our skills, its difficult.
All the stories mentioned did have a small idea which was eventually evolved, then they faced a lot of hurdles and labels by people and ultimately it culminated in them being labeled as Women Entrepreneur. This book is motivational but not all stories are same because everyone has a different story to tell.. So which is your story in these? Read it to find out.
I would rate this book as 4/5
March 14, 2019
Follow Every Rainbow! 🌈
Inspiring stories of 25 women Entrepreneurs whose gentle touch created strong business. These stories say one thing loud and clear. Women think and act differently, but they can be just as successful. What 'success' means, is something only you can decide.
The entire book is divided into three sections. Laksmi, Durga & Saraswati
Ghar ki laxmis - who brought wealth and prosperity to the home by co-opting with family members into their business. Because success is not something you seek for self, it's sweeter when shared with all.
Durga - circumstances forced these women to be enterprising, to fight for survival. They rose to the challenge, slaying demons within and without. Tapping into divine energy or Shakti which lies dormant in each of us.
Saraswati - Armed with professional education, these women's are craving out an identity through entrepreneurship. They enjoy an unusual amount of freedom to be who they wish to be, beyond traditional roles
This book will boost your energy to do something different for yourself, your family, your nation
Always remember this - " Climb every mountain,
Ford every stream,
Follow every Rainbow,
Till you find your dream.
A dream that will need,
All the love you can give,
Every day of your life,
For as long as you live."
Inspiring stories of 25 women Entrepreneurs whose gentle touch created strong business. These stories say one thing loud and clear. Women think and act differently, but they can be just as successful. What 'success' means, is something only you can decide.
The entire book is divided into three sections. Laksmi, Durga & Saraswati
Ghar ki laxmis - who brought wealth and prosperity to the home by co-opting with family members into their business. Because success is not something you seek for self, it's sweeter when shared with all.
Durga - circumstances forced these women to be enterprising, to fight for survival. They rose to the challenge, slaying demons within and without. Tapping into divine energy or Shakti which lies dormant in each of us.
Saraswati - Armed with professional education, these women's are craving out an identity through entrepreneurship. They enjoy an unusual amount of freedom to be who they wish to be, beyond traditional roles
This book will boost your energy to do something different for yourself, your family, your nation
Always remember this - " Climb every mountain,
Ford every stream,
Follow every Rainbow,
Till you find your dream.
A dream that will need,
All the love you can give,
Every day of your life,
For as long as you live."
June 1, 2020
This book is a wonderful amalgamation of grit, courage and perseverance. The author takes us through the lives of 25 female entrepreneurs who braced all odds and remained resilient in their journeys. It talks about the personal and professional struggles invariably faced by every woman in India on account of the gender she is born into, and how she needs to unlearn the conditioning she was subjected to along the way.
My personal favourite stories were of grit paragons Ela Bhatt, who pioneered SEWA, and Leela Bordia, who established Neerja International. SEWA is credited for giving voice to millions of Indian women, making them financially literate and thus, independent. Ela Bhatt became the face of true women solidarity and empowered many with her groundbreaking work in trade unionism. On the other hand, Leela Bordia changed the lives of thousands of slum-dwellers by making their art of blue-pottery international, bringing in unprecedented social outcomes for the beneficiaries and their dependents.
Favorite Quote: "Whichever city of the world I have been to, I have made a point to visit its downtown vegetable market. Everywhere the situation of workers is the same. Poverty is an ongoing violence, is is not God given. It is through the consent of the society" - Ela Bhatt
My personal favourite stories were of grit paragons Ela Bhatt, who pioneered SEWA, and Leela Bordia, who established Neerja International. SEWA is credited for giving voice to millions of Indian women, making them financially literate and thus, independent. Ela Bhatt became the face of true women solidarity and empowered many with her groundbreaking work in trade unionism. On the other hand, Leela Bordia changed the lives of thousands of slum-dwellers by making their art of blue-pottery international, bringing in unprecedented social outcomes for the beneficiaries and their dependents.
Favorite Quote: "Whichever city of the world I have been to, I have made a point to visit its downtown vegetable market. Everywhere the situation of workers is the same. Poverty is an ongoing violence, is is not God given. It is through the consent of the society" - Ela Bhatt
October 23, 2020
This book is very important for me because this book has gave me confidence, I gave a presentation at my college which was my first presentation in front of so many people and I represented 3 stories from this book and all of my teachers and my fellow classmates loved it, and those learning points after all stories end is so on point and so important. I am so glad that I read this book and got inspired by stories of incredible women out there.💜💜💜
January 30, 2022
I struggled with this book.
I want to acknowledge that coming from a different country than India I might not fully comprehend cultural differences.
However, i found it challenging to read a feminist book about female entrepreneurs that focuses so much on when do they get married and how do they manage raising children. The focus on their business achievement felt secondary at times. To me the book described too much shame and too little actual empowerment.
I want to acknowledge that coming from a different country than India I might not fully comprehend cultural differences.
However, i found it challenging to read a feminist book about female entrepreneurs that focuses so much on when do they get married and how do they manage raising children. The focus on their business achievement felt secondary at times. To me the book described too much shame and too little actual empowerment.
June 16, 2024
Life is so much more for women that managing the house, looking after family and kids. The stories of these women make us believe that we too can embark on the journey of our hearts desires. With persistence and passion all is possible.
June 20, 2017
Inspiring! Totally in love with this book, have been recommending it to all my friends!
July 3, 2017
Inspiring real life success stories of first generation women entrepreneurs, against all odds
January 13, 2018
It is just so inspiring ! To get to know about the lives of these ordinary women, who by their efforts and dedication created an extraordinary life for themselves.
July 2, 2018
Can be read once as a glance
April 5, 2021
A series of very motivating stories for a person who wants to become an entrepreneur some day!
June 28, 2015
The book is about women entrepreneurs who have succeeded or are in the process of succeeding in their ventures. The book is in three parts; the first part is about women from wealthy families who have grown their own ventures without financial help from their family; the second part is about women who have succeeded in the face of adversity; and the third are the ones who have succeeded, thanks to their education.
The books has a strong smell of feminism. Many of the entrepreneurs in the book. In many places it appears that the women are enjoying the revenge of bettering the menfolk for having suppressed by them for thus long in the human history. Unlike the opinion of W. E. B. Dubois who says that the Africans should learn to live equally, not by exacting revenge, with the white folk, the women seem to indicate that women must exact revenge.
Having said that there are some very insightful statements. Here are couple that I liked.
A good life is like a good meal - don't put too much on your plate. Only as much as you can eat, and what you enjoy.
Corporate life is 20% really work you enjoy and 80% is reporting bureaucracy and politics.
There are were also many that smells of antagonist feminism. Here are some that I absolutely disliked.
1. In my view women can make better entrepreneur than men because women have more patience and they have more ability to multitask.
2. I think perseverance and patience are two things that all women are naturally born with.
One common theme that runs across is that the entrepreneurs succeed if they have support from their family, not just the parents, and husbands but also from in-laws. This should hold good for the men too and that is why the adage "Behind every successful man is a woman" (Limited to wives or mothers). In a similar way will we say "Behind every successful woman there is a man". At least after reading the amount of support the husbands extended to the successful women?
The books has a strong smell of feminism. Many of the entrepreneurs in the book. In many places it appears that the women are enjoying the revenge of bettering the menfolk for having suppressed by them for thus long in the human history. Unlike the opinion of W. E. B. Dubois who says that the Africans should learn to live equally, not by exacting revenge, with the white folk, the women seem to indicate that women must exact revenge.
Having said that there are some very insightful statements. Here are couple that I liked.
A good life is like a good meal - don't put too much on your plate. Only as much as you can eat, and what you enjoy.
Corporate life is 20% really work you enjoy and 80% is reporting bureaucracy and politics.
There are were also many that smells of antagonist feminism. Here are some that I absolutely disliked.
1. In my view women can make better entrepreneur than men because women have more patience and they have more ability to multitask.
2. I think perseverance and patience are two things that all women are naturally born with.
One common theme that runs across is that the entrepreneurs succeed if they have support from their family, not just the parents, and husbands but also from in-laws. This should hold good for the men too and that is why the adage "Behind every successful man is a woman" (Limited to wives or mothers). In a similar way will we say "Behind every successful woman there is a man". At least after reading the amount of support the husbands extended to the successful women?
January 9, 2022
Good but not great. The stories were not that interesting leaving a bunch of them. The research was not thorough and the book repeated the same thing over and over again. Yes, it was meant for women entrepreneurs but the advice sometimes was just not right. And for most of the time it seemed the stories repeated the same format-Women faced a problem..she started a business...family supported or didn't...divorce in cases...business stuff (that was what the focus should have been on)...more family stuff...children...end.This needed more material...not just stories.
January 13, 2015
Sometimes in life you need a kick, to make yourself believe that you can do anything. Nothing can stop you, you just have to trust yourself, that's what this book teaches you!!
An inspiring book, with 25 remarkable journeys of women who made their destiny not by luck, but by hardworking and having faith in their own self. A must read for every woman, who wants to make a difference in any way to her life!! Pick it up and read it!! It's worth reading!!
An inspiring book, with 25 remarkable journeys of women who made their destiny not by luck, but by hardworking and having faith in their own self. A must read for every woman, who wants to make a difference in any way to her life!! Pick it up and read it!! It's worth reading!!
October 27, 2013
This book contains the stories of 25 successful women entrepreneurs. I just loved reading each story and there were some I like to go through again and again. Below is my review on this book:
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February 27, 2016
This books truly inspires you to make something out of your valued life and how a simple idea can make wonders. The insatiable spirit of women entrepreneurs who believed in their ideas and had guts to follow them despite of the hardships is commendable. The author has itched together the stories of such awe inspiring women very beautifully.
March 18, 2013
I have read few books with the similar background. Easy and quick read. Only difference I found is that the author gave few resources and links to reach people who are featured in the book.
June 7, 2013
Quiet an inspirational stories of 25 women in the professional journey.
October 4, 2013
Rashmi Bansal is back with some fortune turn stories, this time specially for the real Women-empowerment
December 31, 2013
I have loved this author's work right from day one!
January 22, 2014
One feels buoyant after reading this.
June 27, 2015
For inspiration, for the feeling of awe or to feel proud of the women, read it!
Read more here, http://bit.ly/aksrev3
Read more here, http://bit.ly/aksrev3
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