Growth without burnout.
Overcoming Struggles with Daily Rituals: Anshu Ahuja on Building a Business
On this week’s Brave New Girls podcast, Anshu Ahuja, co-founder of DabbaDrop, opens up about what it really takes to build a purpose-led business while raising a young family, and how she manages her wellbeing in the middle of it all.
She doesn’t pretend it’s easy.
From starting a food company with zero business experience to running deliveries during lockdown with two kids at home, Anshu’s been through it. She talks about learning how to build a website from scratch while breastfeeding, testing recipes in her kitchen, and handling every part of the job- from cooking to packing, customer emails to fixing the tech.
“You just roll up your sleeves and get on with it.”
But getting on with it doesn't mean ignoring your health. Anshu makes it clear- eating well is a core part of how she looks after herself. In her house, food isn’t rushed. It’s planned, cooked from scratch, and shared. At least three to four times a week, they eat together as a family around the table.
“It’s how I stay connected to myself.”
Cooking is her anchor. Even with a food business to run, she protects the joy of making food that’s fresh, nourishing, and full of intention. It’s therapy. And it’s how she’s managed to keep going during the hardest moments.
Growth doesn’t come from doing more, it comes from doing what matters. Anshu shows that building something meaningful is possible, but only if you keep checking in with yourself and your values along the way.
This isn’t about balance as a buzzword. It’s about building a life you can sustain.
If you're trying to build something meaningful while staying sane, here’s what you can learn from Anshu’s approach.
Do you want to join our next Brave New Girls Wellbeing Growth Retreat? Find out more.
Talk to Lou Hamilton- Your Wellbeing Coach
Ten Actionable Steps for Building Wellbeing
Plan your meals
Know what you’re eating. Remove the daily stress of deciding last minute.Cook from scratch
Use real ingredients. Nourish yourself with food that supports your energy.Eat together
Make space to sit down with your people. It brings connection and calm.Protect what brings you joy
For Anshu, it’s cooking. What’s yours? Hold onto it- even when life gets busy.Be honest about the juggle
Running a business and raising kids is hard. Admit it. Then work with it.Learn on the job
You won’t know it all upfront. You’ll figure it out step by step- just like she did.Ask for help
She brought in a co-founder and built a team. Don’t do everything alone.Adapt as you go
From lockdown spikes to fundraising dips, she adjusted. So can you.Stick to your values
DabbaDrop is sustainable, plant-based, and plastic-free. That clarity drives everything.Reflect often
After six years of hustle, Anshu’s finally making space to reassess. Don’t wait that long. Build in reflection now.Anshu Ahuja shares the real story of growth, family, and food-led wellbeing on the Brave New Girls podcast.
If you have worries around life’s juggles & health challenges, and want to grow a healthier, happier, more creative life, work with your Wellbeing Coach Lou Hamilton who will guide you through the steps you need to take, to get to where you want to be- living well on a well planet.
See which bespoke coaching programme works for you & we can tailor them further to your growth needs.
