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Without a Doubt: How to Go from Underrated to Unbeatable
“An inspiring blueprint to overcome challenges—and thrive” (Arianna Huffington, Founder and CEO of Thrive Global), and turn doubt into rocket fuel to achieve your dreams, from entrepreneur, CEO, and healthcare investor Surbhi Sarna.
The very qualities that make you an outlier are, in fact, your strengths. Or so Surbhi Sarna discovered after a teenage cancer scare inspired her to reimagine healthcare, founding a medical start-up to detect early ovarian cancer. In Without a Doubt, she shares how she proved the doubters wrong. As a young, brown woman without a medical or Ivy-league degree or Silicon Valley contacts—and who had felt different throughout her life—she was often overlooked and underrated.
Undeterred, Sarna used the naysayers as ammunition to help her surpass expectations—and achieve her dreams. Without a Doubt is her “inspiring” (Tim Draper, venture capitalist and founder of Draper Associates) story of becoming a leader without an MBA, networking without a network, and raising funds when she didn’t know a single venture capitalist, teaching you how to do the same. Sarna led an all-star team to develop a life-saving medical device, sold her business for $275 million, and became a partner at Y Combinator, one of the most successful venture firms in the world. Using her own experience, she shows you how to face setbacks, not let impossible standards get in the way, lead empathetically, empower others to think differently, and how to convince the right people to help you accomplish your goals.
Without a Doubt reveals that your power lies in recognizing the qualities that make you different and leveraging them to pursue your dreams.
The very qualities that make you an outlier are, in fact, your strengths. Or so Surbhi Sarna discovered after a teenage cancer scare inspired her to reimagine healthcare, founding a medical start-up to detect early ovarian cancer. In Without a Doubt, she shares how she proved the doubters wrong. As a young, brown woman without a medical or Ivy-league degree or Silicon Valley contacts—and who had felt different throughout her life—she was often overlooked and underrated.
Undeterred, Sarna used the naysayers as ammunition to help her surpass expectations—and achieve her dreams. Without a Doubt is her “inspiring” (Tim Draper, venture capitalist and founder of Draper Associates) story of becoming a leader without an MBA, networking without a network, and raising funds when she didn’t know a single venture capitalist, teaching you how to do the same. Sarna led an all-star team to develop a life-saving medical device, sold her business for $275 million, and became a partner at Y Combinator, one of the most successful venture firms in the world. Using her own experience, she shows you how to face setbacks, not let impossible standards get in the way, lead empathetically, empower others to think differently, and how to convince the right people to help you accomplish your goals.
Without a Doubt reveals that your power lies in recognizing the qualities that make you different and leveraging them to pursue your dreams.
217 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 7, 2023
23 people are currently reading
420 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 3, 2023
Without A Doubt – HOW TO GO FROM UNDERRATED TO UNBEATABLE by Surbhi Sarna
"When she saw a possibility and made it real"
Having an idea in mind to bringing the product to the table is a strenuous task within a journey. From the people you meet, hire, or work with to the connections you make, everything adds up to the success of the product/company.
According to the American Cancer Society estimates; out of 19,710 new cases of ovarian cancer in 2023 (US), 13,270 women might not make it, and a woman’s lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer is 1 in 78. What Surbhi Sarna and her team at nVision worked on would help the women’s health community as a whole. I am dumbstruck and amazed by her dedication to women’s healthcare.
nVision, led by Surbhi Sarna developed the first device which was cleared by the FDA to collect cells from the fallopian tubes, attempting to early diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
In this book, Ms.Surbhi has described every stage of her company from raising $17 million in venture capital to the acquisition of the nVision by Boston Scientific for $275 million. It is not an easy journey; she had her breakthrough years ago but reading this perspective on how she worked round the clock took me on a little roller coaster ride through crests and troughs of success waves.
I did not read this as a book, but as a story that could save lives eventually. If you would like to experience this journey, do give it a read.
"When she saw a possibility and made it real"
Having an idea in mind to bringing the product to the table is a strenuous task within a journey. From the people you meet, hire, or work with to the connections you make, everything adds up to the success of the product/company.
According to the American Cancer Society estimates; out of 19,710 new cases of ovarian cancer in 2023 (US), 13,270 women might not make it, and a woman’s lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer is 1 in 78. What Surbhi Sarna and her team at nVision worked on would help the women’s health community as a whole. I am dumbstruck and amazed by her dedication to women’s healthcare.
nVision, led by Surbhi Sarna developed the first device which was cleared by the FDA to collect cells from the fallopian tubes, attempting to early diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
In this book, Ms.Surbhi has described every stage of her company from raising $17 million in venture capital to the acquisition of the nVision by Boston Scientific for $275 million. It is not an easy journey; she had her breakthrough years ago but reading this perspective on how she worked round the clock took me on a little roller coaster ride through crests and troughs of success waves.
I did not read this as a book, but as a story that could save lives eventually. If you would like to experience this journey, do give it a read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2023
This is an amazing and inspirational book that is definitely a must read. As the descriptions say, it is the story of an entrepreneur building a startup. But it is also so much more than that. It's a unique perspective from a woman (so rare in the entrepreneurial world) blazing a trail in her field, turning a personal challenge (an early cancer scare) into a passion to change the world for the better.
Many of us 2nd generation immigrants (and I speak as one myself) inherited the risk-averse nature of our parents. But Surbhi demonstrates how to step off the safe, beaten path to start something new and "climb [her] own ladder."
There are of course, many useful pearls about following your passion and conviction, finding a mentor, networking from scratch, weathering innumerable rejections, recognizing talent and building an amazing team, overcoming challenges and setbacks. And unique to being a woman, navigating a complicated pregnancy in the midst of a soaring career. Though not an entrepreneur myself, I found the insights in the book to be highly relevant to my own life as a working mama. It was so absorbing I read it in several hours in one sitting. So definitely don't hesitate--buy this book!!
Many of us 2nd generation immigrants (and I speak as one myself) inherited the risk-averse nature of our parents. But Surbhi demonstrates how to step off the safe, beaten path to start something new and "climb [her] own ladder."
There are of course, many useful pearls about following your passion and conviction, finding a mentor, networking from scratch, weathering innumerable rejections, recognizing talent and building an amazing team, overcoming challenges and setbacks. And unique to being a woman, navigating a complicated pregnancy in the midst of a soaring career. Though not an entrepreneur myself, I found the insights in the book to be highly relevant to my own life as a working mama. It was so absorbing I read it in several hours in one sitting. So definitely don't hesitate--buy this book!!
March 9, 2023
Without a Doubt is a great read for a variety of audiences. Surbhi weaves her unique story and perspective while seamlessly giving us guidance that doesn't come off as overly pedantic. She exemplifies exactly what she advises in a way that is honest such that a highly successful entrepreneur seems approachable to those of us who only dream of being one, one day.
Even if you aren't looking to learn about entrepreneurship, it is fascinating to see the conviction and courage that Surbhi had to make it where she is today. The distinct perspective she presents, being a woman, is extremely thoughtful and enlightening.
This book, shared with the next generation to inspire, is exactly what we need to get to a place where her story of being a woman and an entrepreneur is so commonplace, that my review does not even warrant mentioning it.
Even if you aren't looking to learn about entrepreneurship, it is fascinating to see the conviction and courage that Surbhi had to make it where she is today. The distinct perspective she presents, being a woman, is extremely thoughtful and enlightening.
This book, shared with the next generation to inspire, is exactly what we need to get to a place where her story of being a woman and an entrepreneur is so commonplace, that my review does not even warrant mentioning it.
August 28, 2023
This book is a remarkable journey through entrepreneurship. Surbhi Sarna skillfully captures the intricate realities of running a startup, from its inception to eventual sale.
Her narrative beautifully intertwines her immigrant background, struggles with identity, and the challenges she faced as a woman and entrepreneur. Her passion for women's health shines through as she navigates product pivots, insecurities, and even pregnancy while steering her company to success.
Sarna's vulnerability is refreshing, showcasing the bittersweetness of entrepreneurship, where success doesn't always equate to seeing one's creation in the market. Her commitment to empowering women's health, both as a founder and Y Combinator partner, is truly inspiring and brings a sense of fulfillment to readers.
Her narrative beautifully intertwines her immigrant background, struggles with identity, and the challenges she faced as a woman and entrepreneur. Her passion for women's health shines through as she navigates product pivots, insecurities, and even pregnancy while steering her company to success.
Sarna's vulnerability is refreshing, showcasing the bittersweetness of entrepreneurship, where success doesn't always equate to seeing one's creation in the market. Her commitment to empowering women's health, both as a founder and Y Combinator partner, is truly inspiring and brings a sense of fulfillment to readers.
March 7, 2023
Surbhi's story is a compelling one that every woman with aspirations for personal growth can benefit from reading. She tells it through authentic, raw, and at times humorous anecdotes that highlight her doubts, her doubters, and her eventual triumphs along her journey of entrepreneurship. I found myself especially moved reading about her struggles navigating a complicated pregnancy during the busiest/most pivotal time for her company. You could feel and empathize with the guilt she felt as a first time Mom. Being conflicted if she doing the right thing for her family, the company, and finding ways to balance her priorities.
March 7, 2023
Without a doubt is a must-read for anyone who is thinking about starting their own business, or looking for inspiration in their life. Surbhi Sarna shares the ups and downs of starting and running a company, and also offers extremely valuable insights. The book is full of practical advice, and is also an extremely enjoyable read. Sarna has a natural gift for storytelling, and she brings the characters in her book to life. Overall, it's an excellent book for anyone who is interested in entrepreneurship and I highly recommend it.
March 15, 2023
A compelling tale of what it's really like to found and run a startup in Silicon Valley. Surbhi deftly highlights the high highs and low lows of startup life. I appreciate her candor in detailing the indignation, consistent hard work, and perseverance that is needed to exceed. Even more so I appreciate how she shares her own experience with burnout and does not glorify it, but instead uses that moment (and others throughout the book) to advocate for mental health and determining your own version of work-life balance.
December 24, 2022
Without A Doubt is a compelling story about Surbhi’s experience with her company nVision— from the founding story to the successful exit. It’s a candid glimpse into an entrepreneur’s inner monologue as she navigates her first time leading a company. I enjoyed the refreshing honesty about what it really takes to achieve that caliber of success, and what it looks like behind the scenes, particularly as a woman in a male dominated field.
January 3, 2023
Everyone can relate to some piece of Without a Doubt — whether a startup founder, woman in the business world, anyone navigating barriers, or anyone who has beaten the odds. I finished this book feeling inspired by Surbhi's story of starting a company in the women's health space and then selling that company for $200+M. I appreciated her openness as she discussed imposter syndrome, risk tolerance, shutting out the voices of naysayers, changing "the system," and redefining work-life balance.
March 26, 2025
I read this book for a company book club, and I did not expect to be almost hooked from the beginning. Surbhi's writing is captivating, and I felt the passion for change through her words. Although I have no intention of becoming an entrepreneur myself, this is a great read for those wanting to start that journey or simply wanting to learn more about Surbhi's road to success!
March 7, 2023
An authentic look into Silicon Valley life. Surbhi is inspiring, humble, and funny as she recounts her company’s rise to success from her own unique perspective. Her personal stories share what it’s really like to juggle start-up life, a marriage, kids and a dream held tightly since adolescence.
May 18, 2023
This book is amazing! I voraciously consumed it in almost one night. Surbhi humorously tells her story of going from young immigrant to formicable founder. So many relatable stories in here for founders and anyone thinking of starting a company. Truly inspiring.
June 14, 2023
This is a must read for anyone interested in women's health and women's rights. Shocking truth is revealed at the end that should not be taken lightly. I have gifted the book to many women doctors and women of influence I know! READ IT!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2023
A reminder how crucial a personal connection to your work is as a motivator for success. I got to peek into the multi-decade struggle of an Indian girl to found a company that could solve her own niche health problem — an example of a founder who truly willed their product to life.
March 10, 2023
Really amazed to learn about her story. Very inspiring story for all women entrepreneurs
March 24, 2023
Lots of good operational advice on pitching, hiring, tactical business decisions
March 27, 2023
An interesting, candid story of a female entrepreneurs journey in the women’s health medical device space.
July 20, 2023
Clearly written, no none sense account of an awesome invention, team, and the woman who made it happen
Read
August 21, 2023Interesting memoir on the word of investment, engineering and the lack of resources for AFAB medical necessities.
March 15, 2025
Interesting read. Left inspired by her success, but conscious of the level of obsession and sacrifice necessary to build world changing startups.
April 24, 2024
to much of a chronological overview of her progress and not enough larger wisdom integrated in the story.
If I would have known i would have skipped to the conclusion that almost only explains the how to part out of the whole book.
If I would have known i would have skipped to the conclusion that almost only explains the how to part out of the whole book.
June 30, 2024
i came across this sarna randomly while reading up on yc partners and i am so glad i decided to pick up her book! it was candid, detailed, and unique perspective of navigating the startup space as a brown female founder
fav parts:
- the details into the low lows in addition to the highs. the general vulnerability to admitting to her early mistakes and how she grew from them was inspiring
- importance of mentors and how to find / develop them
- women supporting women examples! Which was so important - crazy that at that time especially female health wasn’t seen as a big enough market and was regarded as “bikini medicine” (wtf…)
- very digestible and quick read - finished in a day in two sittings
- getting the VC rejection only to call and renegotiate and get them on board (not taking no for an answer)
- la familia and the way she built her team
- whenever she got tough feedback and mentorship from her mentors
- how she found the courage to pivot her idea
wished was different:
- more detail into how nVision's technology worked - having diagrams / some sort of visual for key points of discussion around the technology (I had a hard time visualizing this balloon lol)
- intro was a bit corny, and there were some corny bits here and there that made me cringe a bit, wish the editors changed that
- the transition from the 275mm offer to moving on felt rushed to me, wished there was some self reflection on if she still thought that was a good idea given now her technology is just sitting on the shelf given the r&d funding cuts admist covid
- wish there was more deep dives around her YC work
fav parts:
- the details into the low lows in addition to the highs. the general vulnerability to admitting to her early mistakes and how she grew from them was inspiring
- importance of mentors and how to find / develop them
- women supporting women examples! Which was so important - crazy that at that time especially female health wasn’t seen as a big enough market and was regarded as “bikini medicine” (wtf…)
- very digestible and quick read - finished in a day in two sittings
- getting the VC rejection only to call and renegotiate and get them on board (not taking no for an answer)
- la familia and the way she built her team
- whenever she got tough feedback and mentorship from her mentors
- how she found the courage to pivot her idea
wished was different:
- more detail into how nVision's technology worked - having diagrams / some sort of visual for key points of discussion around the technology (I had a hard time visualizing this balloon lol)
- intro was a bit corny, and there were some corny bits here and there that made me cringe a bit, wish the editors changed that
- the transition from the 275mm offer to moving on felt rushed to me, wished there was some self reflection on if she still thought that was a good idea given now her technology is just sitting on the shelf given the r&d funding cuts admist covid
- wish there was more deep dives around her YC work
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews