We’ve all heard the line- “Behind every successful woman is herself.” And yes, there’s truth in that. But if I’m being honest, my own journey has shown me something more. I believe strength isn’t something we carry alone, it’s something we share.
My Own Circle
When I stepped into the professional world as a lawyer, I believed I had to become tougher, sharper in my tone, firmer in my face and a little less “me”- just to be taken seriously. I thought success demanded that I trade empathy for authority, softness for strength.
But I soon realised how exhausting it was to keep up with a version of myself that didn’t feel real. The victories didn’t feel sweet, they felt heavy.
What helped me most in those moments wasn’t the armour I tried to wear. It was the circle of women around me. The colleague who reminded me that listening with empathy was not a weakness, but one of my greatest strengths. The friend who picked me up on the days I doubted if I was “enough.” The women who clapped for me even when the world didn’t notice.
They didn’t let me fall. And slowly, I realised, maybe strength doesn’t come from pretending to be someone you’re not. Maybe it comes from being supported enough to stand fully as who you are.
Why Circles Matter
The world loves the idea of a woman standing alone in the spotlight. But what people don’t see is the circle behind her, the one that whispered, “keep going,” when she almost gave up, or held her hand when she thought she couldn’t rise again.
A circle doesn’t ask you to prove yourself.
A circle doesn’t measure your worth by how “perfect” you are.
A circle is the safe place where you can stumble, cry, pause, and still be celebrated.
That’s why I believe: behind every strong woman, there isn’t just herself but also always a circle that didn’t let her fall.
Why I Started The BB Journal
This is exactly why I created The BB Journal. Not as another glossy magazine, not as a list of quick fixes, and definitely not as a rulebook. But as a circle. A space where women can show up as they are- soft, strong, messy, powerful, or all of it at once. A space where your story matters, even when you think it’s “too small” to share. A space where women remind each other that success doesn’t always mean having it all together, sometimes it just means not giving up.
This journal isn’t about asking you to change. It’s about celebrating the woman you already are, and reminding you that you’re not walking alone.
A Note From Me to You
If you’re reading this, I want you to know- You already have a place in this circle!
Whether you’re running client meetings or running after toddlers, whether you’re at the start of your career or at the height of it, whether your life feels calm or chaotic right now, you belong here.
This is your space to breathe, to reflect, and to be reminded that you are celebrated exactly as you are.
With love, always,
Purva Gandhi Founder, The BB Journal