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Aspiring entrepreneur? Read these books first

Aspiring entrepreneur? Read these books first

Feb 03, 2026
02:50 pm

What's the story

Falguni Nayar, the founder of Nykaa, has been a pioneer in the beauty and wellness industry. Her journey is an inspiring one, and so are the books that shaped her entrepreneurial spirit. These reads give us a glimpse into the mind of one of India's most successful businesswomen. Here are five books that inspired Falguni Nayar's entrepreneurial journey.

Book 1

'The Lean Startup' by Eric Ries

The Lean Startup is all about how to manage startups in an efficient manner. It introduces the concept of validated learning, which encourages entrepreneurs to test their ideas quickly and efficiently. This book would have helped Nayar in her early days at Nykaa, giving her the tools to iterate on her business model based on customer feedback.

Book 2

'Good to Great' by James C. Collins

James C. Collins' Good to Great examines why some companies make the leap from being good to being great. The book emphasizes the importance of leadership, culture, and discipline in achieving long-term success. For Nayar, this book would have provided valuable insights into building a strong organizational foundation at Nykaa.

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Book 3

'Zero to One' by Peter Thiel

Peter Thiel's Zero to One focuses on creating unique products that change the world, rather than competing in existing markets. The book emphasizes innovation over imitation, a principle that aligns with Nayar's vision of offering distinctive beauty solutions through Nykaa's platform.

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Book 4

'The Innovator's Dilemma' by Clayton Christensen

Clayton Christensen's The Innovator's Dilemma discusses disruptive innovation and how established companies often fail to adapt to new technologies or business models. This book would have offered Nayar insights into navigating challenges posed by emerging trends in the beauty industry.

Book 5

'Shoe Dog' by Phil Knight

Phil Knight's memoir, Shoe Dog, tells the story of Nike's humble beginnings and its rise to global prominence. The narrative is filled with lessons on perseverance, resilience, and the importance of passion in entrepreneurship. For Nayar, this book would have resonated deeply as she built Nykaa from scratch, echoing Knight's journey of overcoming obstacles with determination and vision.

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