In this article, we’ve thoughtfully curated a list of the 20 Best Business Books for entrepreneurs. These books are more than just printed pages; they are your guides to unlocking profound insights, acquiring practical wisdom, and drawing inspiration from the experiences of some of the world’s most accomplished business leaders.
Whether you’re taking your first steps on the entrepreneurial road or seeking fresh motivation to reignite your passion, this list provides a roadmap to success.
Best Business Books offer Wealth of Resources
Entrepreneurship is a journey brimming with excitement, challenge, and the promise of boundless possibilities. It’s a path where triumphs and trials coexist, demanding unwavering determination and constant self-improvement. In today’s digital age, where a wealth of resources beckons, books continue to stand as timeless treasures, holding the keys to entrepreneurial success.
Timeless Reads for Entrepreneurs
By delving into these best business books, you can tap into the wealth of knowledge they hold and gain the insights necessary to navigate the intricate world of business. Explore these books, and empower yourself with the knowledge to conquer the entrepreneurial landscape.
“How to Win Friends & Influence People” by Dale Carnegie
The only book you need to lead you to success
How To Win Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie is an entrepreneurial classic. It teaches us how to live and lead in a non-greedy manner replacing personal gain, competition, and heated arguments with positive, influential relationships.
- Key Insight: Learn the art of positive and influential relationships.
- Why Read: This entrepreneurial classic transforms the way you interact and lead, making it a cornerstone for entrepreneurial success.
“The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries
Continuous Innovation Creates Successful Businesses
Although The Lean Startup aims toward high-value companies, it offers essential building blocks for small businesses and entrepreneurs in the startup phase. Eric Pies brings to light any beginner mistakes. Additionally he reveals the innovative process that brought his own startup to the top.
- Key Insight: Discover the methodology to continuous innovation.
- Why Read: Whether you’re in a startup or a seasoned entrepreneur, this book offers essential insights and helps you avoid common beginner mistakes.
“Building a Story Brand” by Donald Miller
Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen
Before pitching your brand message or product to the audience, you must read Building A StoryBrand. In this classic book, Donald Miller teaches you how to craft a clear and compelling company sales pitch, a marketing strategy if you will, that your dream clients will understand and appreciate.
- Key Insight: Craft compelling company sales pitches and marketing strategies.
- Why Read: Effective marketing and clear messaging are keys to entrepreneurial success; this book teaches you how.
“The 4-Hour Workweek” by Tim Ferriss
Escape the 9-5, live anywhere and join the new rich
While most of us measure productivity by the time spent working, Tim Farriss teaches you how to build your biz effectively following the 80/20 rule. This simple yet clever blueprint explained in the Four-Hour Workweek implements more life in the work-life balance far from the shackles of a corporate job.
- Key Insight: Escape the 9-5 grind and build a life of freedom.
- Why Read: This book’s approach, based on the 80/20 rule, helps you work effectively and achieve work-life balance.
“The Hard Thing About Hard Things” by Ben Horowitz
Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers
If you are a CEO or aspire to start a business, you need to read this book. In Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers, Ben Horowitz dives deep into the psychology of being a boss, managing a team, and giving feedback. Besides his own success story lies practical business advice for managing a company during challenging times.
“The Day That Turns Your Life Around” by Jim Rohn
Success ideas that can change your life in an instant
Jim Rohn’s The Day That Turns Your Life Around feels like an in-person living room conversation with your wise grandparent. It’s one of my favorite business and personal development books. He not only shares his philosophy on life, and running a successful business, but he also provides practical advice on finances and inspirational leadership. All of his books are must-read business books in my opinion.
- Key Insight: Gain valuable life and business philosophies.
- Why Read: Jim Rohn imparts wisdom on running a successful business, financial management, and inspirational leadership.
“The Compound Effect” by Darren Hardy
Jumpstart your income, your life, your success
Increasing your productivity and effectiveness does not require making massive changes. In The Compound Effect, Darren explains how small but consistent habits can help more effectively in building a successful business overtime.
- Key Insight: Harness the power of small, consistent habits.
- Why Read: Discover how these habits can significantly impact your entrepreneurial success over time.
“The 5 Second Rule” by Mel Robbins
The Fastest Way To Change Your Life
According to Mel Robbins, you are only five seconds away from a different life. The writer uses a science-based and effective rule to overcome your old patterns. Are you looking for a foolproof step by step guide of approaching uncomfortable tasks and taking uncomfortable action? The 5-Second Rule has got your back!
- Key Insight: Master the science-based rule to overcome procrastination.
- Why Read: If you’re seeking a step-by-step guide to approaching challenging tasks and taking action, this book has the answer.
“Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman
Winner of the Nobel prize in economics
Daniel Kahneman’s Thinking, Fast and Slow breaks down two systems found in our mind. Our whole mind operates with either the fast, intuitive system or the slow, more rational system. In this must-read book for entrepreneurs, he explains how we can strip back our thought processes so we can achieve more mental freedom, confidence, and overall success.
- Key Insight: Understand the two systems of thinking in our mind.
- Why Read: This book offers insights on achieving mental freedom, confidence, and overall success as an entrepreneur.
“Shoe Dog” by Phil Knight
A Memoir by the Creator of Nike
Shoe Dog is the best business memoir you’ll read. Phil Knight tells the story with resounding humor and complete honesty. It unveils the journey of how one of the world’s most successful companies came into existence.
- Key Insight: Discover the journey of Nike’s success.
- Why Read: Phil Knight’s memoir unveils the story of one of the world’s most successful companies, offering invaluable lessons in entrepreneurship.
“Atomic Habits” by James Clear
Proven way to build good habits & break bad ones
With Atomic Habits, James Clear lays down a framework of how habits get formed, broken, and reconstructed for the better. At the end of the day, who we are and what habits we implement, move us closer or further away from achieving our dreams and goals. It’s about shifting your wishful thinking into clarity and a to-the-point action plan. Exactly what a successful business requires.
- Key Insight: Learn how small habits can lead to significant changes.
- Why Read: This book provides a framework to build better habits and break unproductive ones, a vital skill for entrepreneurial success.
“Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert T. Kiyosaki
What the rich teach their kids, that you can learn too
Unlike what the title describes, Rich Dad, Poor dad is not just about money. Robert T. Kiyosaki stresses the importance of increasing your financial intelligence to build wealth and cultivate financial independence.
- Key Insight: Enhance your financial intelligence.
- Why Read: This book emphasizes the importance of financial education and how it can lead to wealth and financial independence.
“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey
Powerful lessons in Personal change
With The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People, Stephen R. Covey offers you 7 habits to apply, which, if adopted well, will yield immense success and fulfillment. He teaches you how to identify your goals, and how to execute them in an entrepreneurial setting.
- Key Insight: Adopt seven habits for immense success and fulfillment.
- Why Read: Covey’s book helps you identify your goals and execute them effectively, a valuable skill in the entrepreneurial world.
“Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill
Achieve personal and professional success
Think and Grow Rich cumulates the daily habits of the rich and the famous, distilled from 500 top entrepreneurs. Although Napoleon Hill shares practical advice on thriving in life and business, he mainly keeps focused on the psychological motivation behind successful entrepreneurship. This is by far one of the best business books I have ever read.
- Key Insight: Uncover the psychological motivations behind success.
- Why Read: This book offers practical advice for thriving in life and business, focusing on the mindset behind successful entrepreneurship.
“Rework” by Jason Fried
A better, faster, easier way to succeed in business
Rework by Jason Fried is a quick read chock-full of anecdotes and helpful advice for business owners and those interested in a successful startup. The book teaches you how to simplify things and speed up your momentum to get your business rolling.
- Key Insight: Simplify and speed up your business operations.
- Why Read: This book guides you on how to streamline processes and build momentum for your business.
“Start with Why” by Simon Sinek
How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
Simon Sinek discovered that words greatest leaders all represent themself alike. More specifically he studied why some are more impactful and persuasive than others. As the title suggests, Start with Why exposes their reasons for innovation that eventually resulted in great success.
- Key Insight: Understand the power of inspirational leadership.
- Why Read: Sinek explores the reasons behind the success of the world’s greatest leaders and how they inspire action.
“Zero to One” by Peter Thiel
Notes on Startups, or how to build the future
Zero to one peeks inside the brains of entrepreneur Peter Thiel, who founded and sold PayPal, took over Facebook, and became a billionaire. It shares incredible tips on start-ups, and new and existing businesses, all within Thiel’s convincing methodology.
- Key Insight: Gain insight into successful startups and businesses.
- Why Read: This book offers valuable tips for entrepreneurs on building and scaling their businesses.
“Crushing It” by Gary Vaynerchuk
Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion
Media guru Gary Vaynerchuk wrote Crushing It! specifically for those trying to turn their hobby or passion into a well-paid day job. It’s a straightforward guide to leveraging social media and building a sustainable business by connecting with others.
- Key Insight: Leverage social media to turn your passion into a successful business.
- Why Read: This book provides a straightforward guide to building a sustainable business and connecting with your audience.
“Deep Work” by Cal Newport
Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
With Deep Work professor Cal Newport sheds light on the ability to maintain a state of distraction-free concentration. This book is helpful for those struggling to achieve an optimum level of productivity.
- Key Insight: Achieve distraction-free concentration for enhanced productivity.
- Why Read: For those striving for optimum productivity, this book offers valuable strategies.
“Predictably Irrational” by Dan Ariely
The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions
Ever wondered how you can turn your audience into a paid customer? Behavioral economist Dan Ariely explains how you can easily achieve that in the engagingly written Predictably Irrational. Understanding why people get tangled up in behavior patterns will inevitably change your outlook on scoring loyal clients.
- Key Insight: Understand the psychological factors influencing decisions.
- Why Read: This book helps entrepreneurs turn their audience into paying customers by grasping behavioral patterns.
FAQ’s about Best Business Books
Reading business books (for example one of my 20 Must-Read Business Books for Entrepreneurs) provides valuable insights, knowledge, and inspiration essential for entrepreneurial success. They offer practical advice and a wealth of experience.
My selection criteria for 20 Must-Read Business Books for Entrepreneurs included relevance to entrepreneurs, their impact, and popularity in the business community.
To select the right book, consider your current entrepreneurial goals and challenges. Pick a book that aligns with your needs.
These books cater to both beginners and experienced entrepreneurs, providing insights for all stages of business.
I recommend exploring online courses, entrepreneurship websites, and business-related podcasts for further learning and growth. Some examples of helpful podcasts for entrepreneurs: How I Built This: Hosted by Guy Raz, this podcast features interviews with founders and entrepreneurs who share the stories behind the businesses they built.
The Tim Ferriss Show: Tim Ferriss, author and entrepreneur, hosts this podcast where he deconstructs world-class performers to extract their strategies and routines.
Masters of Scale: Hosted by Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, this podcast explores how companies grow from zero to a gazillion and features interviews with business leaders.
More Resources for Your Entrepreneurial Journey
In addition to this list of best business books for entrepreneurs, our website offers a treasure trove of resources to boost your entrepreneurial journey.
Explore our collection of articles, including ‘20 Best Books for Confidence at Work‘ for those looking to enhance their self-assurance in the business world, or ‘10 Best Law of Attraction Books for Manifesting‘ to harness the power of positive thinking.
If you’re struggling with self-doubt, ‘Gaining Confidence: Best Books to Overcome Self-Doubt‘ provides the guidance you need. And for those seeking abundance and prosperity, ‘10 Best Books on Manifesting Abundance‘ offers a roadmap to success.
We also recognize the importance of remote work, so ‘Home Office Essentials for Remote Workers‘ can help you create a productive workspace. Finally, if you’re into Instagram, ‘10 Best Apps to Make Collages for Instagram Stories‘ can be a valuable tool for your social media marketing efforts.”
