As you know, I try to read a book every week. My favourites are books that help me get better at what I do as an entrepreneur.
Making a definitive list of these is difficult, as there are so many, but my list below is a good mix of timeless classics and current advice for today’s digital-savvy entrepreneur.
If you have an eagle eye, you’ll notice there are no female entrepreneurs in this list. That’s because I wrote a whole other blog post about them. You should read all those too!
Enjoy!
Classics
7 Habits for Highly Effective People – Stephen Covey
This book appears on almost every list of must-reads for entrepreneurs – and for good reason. It’s brilliant advice for business and for life. And it’s as relevant today as it was in 1989. This book contains insights that will change how you approach your business.
Rich Dad, Poor Dad – Robert Kiyosaki
Even people who aren’t entrepreneurs have read this book. There are ways we think about money that are just incorrect and put us on the wrong footing from the start of our business journey. Through a story of two men with different ideas about money, Robert busts many money myths that we’ve never thought to question.
The 4-Hour Work Week – Tim Ferriss
You don’t have to want a 4-hour work week to get a lot out of this book. Tim Ferriss loves to travel and wants to work as little as possible to get a big result. The systems and processes he uses to do this are worth the price of the book alone. I recommend the updated version, as technology has made even more things possible since he published this in 2007.
The E-Myth Revisited – Michael E Gerber
This interesting, easy-to-read book talks about why most businesses don’t work. Michael discusses the common situation where someone who is very good at what they do starts a business to do that thing. And fails. He explains why and gives timeless advice on how to grow a business beyond just you.
Good to Great – Jim Collins
This book has become a classic because it’s so specific. Most businesses never make the transition from good to great and, in this book, Jim explains why. There’s no fluffy advice here – you get the numbers and the systems you need to implement to get your business to the next level.
Bonus book: Built to Last
Screw It, Let’s Do It – Richard Branson
With a title like that, how can you not read it? Richard Branson has a unique take on business, so you can imagine his book is unique as well. Part-memoir, part-business advice, this book asks why we can’t run businesses and do great things in the world at the same time. It’s a really inspiring read.
Bonus books: Like a Virgin and Losing my Virginity
From the last decade
Start with Why – Simon Sinek
Simon Sinek exploded out of nowhere and now his amazing advice on leadership is part of our consciousness. In Start with Why, he discusses what differentiates successful, innovative businesses and how knowing your ‘why’ makes you more likely to succeed.
Bonus books: Leaders Eat Last and The Infinite Game. You can also watch the Ted Talk that started it all.
The Hard Things About Hard Things – Ben Horowitz
This funny and honest book discusses the harsh reality of starting a business, including the bits that no one talks about. It dismisses the current romanticism around entrepreneurial life and provides solutions to real problems you’ll face along the way –because he faced them too.
The $100 Startup – Chris Guillebeau
Entrepreneurs come in all shapes and sizes – not everyone wants to build an empire. This book is for entrepreneurs who want freedom more than a kingdom. Chris has made a good living while travelling the world and doing what he loves. He provides specific and useful advice on how we can do it too.
Crushing It! – Gary Vaynerchuk
By now, you’ve probably heard of Gary Vaynerchuk and his passion for hustle. This book discusses the importance of personal brand and social media platforms for success in today’s world. He breaks down the various platforms and how best to use them to build your brand.
Bonus book: Jab, Jab, Right Hook
The Lean Startup – Eric Ries
Not all entrepreneurs can access huge financial resources when they start their business. Most have to be lean and innovative to get through the early days. In this book, Eric shows us how to be agile, using testing and experimentation, to get to market quickly and increase the odds of a successful venture. He also debunks old advice about starting a business.
The Entrepreneur Mind – Kevin Johnson
The best way to reduce your learning time as a new entrepreneur is to model what other successful people have done. In this book, Kevin distils lessons and stories to give us the 100 characteristics and beliefs of successful business people.
Got more entrepreneur books to share?
Have you read an awesome book that’s not on this list? Let me know in the comments! Contact me to enquire about working with me or just to ask any burning questions!