10 Bestselling Books for Small Business Owners to Keep on Hand
Back-to-school season isn’t just for kids. The yearly transition from summer to fall also signals a season of learning (or relearning…or unlearning) for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Whether you’re a seasoned pro who knows how to balance her books or a newbie who has no idea where to start, there are certain books for small business owners with major re-read value.
Some offer the wisdom of founders who have already done the work and experienced success. Others can be used as a step-by-step guide if you’re hands-on and thrive with action items. And then there are books that include all of the above, and will serve you on any part of your entrepreneurial journey.
From titles written by former BlogHer VOTY honorees to undisputed classics, here’s a starter guide to the best books for small business owners.
How to Build a Goddamn Empire by Ali Kriegsman
The Business Experts VOTY honoree put together this all-in-one guide that includes testimonials from other woman founders, candid stories (and lessons) from her own journey, all written with a POV that’s honest, approachable, and totally charming.
$12.55 at Amazon
Edge: Turning Adversity Into Advantage by Laura Huang
Huang, a Harvard Business School instructor, poured her entrepreneurial and interpersonal bias research into this inspiring, yet tactical book about the mindsets that can help you to stay resilient in the best and worst of times as a creative and business founder. (The Elon Musk story is especially entertaining.)
$15.81 at Amazon
A World Without Email by Cal Newport
Few experts analyze the effects of modern technology better than Newport, whose latest book is a deep dive into the origins of email, its evolution, and how we can liberate ourselves from “the tyranny” of the inbox for the pursuit of smarter productivity.
$18.29 at Amazon
Masters of Scale: Surprising Truths From the World’s Most Successful Entrepreneurs by Reid Hoffman
If like us, you’re huge fans of the Masters of Scale podcast, you will love this expert-approved manifesto of wisdom from some of the world’s top business leaders. It’s based on over 100 interviews, including content never heard on the podcast.
$16.95 at Amazon
Get Good with Money: Ten Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole by Tiffany Aliche
Aliche, also known as “The Budgetnista” and a BlogHer VOTY 100 honoree, has a knack for synthesizing financial advice in a uniquely fun and easy to digest way. Her book is a must-read for anyone, including business owners of every skillset, who wants to have a better handle on their budget and daily practices for a healthy bank account.
$15.01 at Amazon
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
Here’s a read with amazing word-of-mouth, thanks to Rise’s time-efficient and scientific approach to the ongoing analysis of one’s startup business, which he describes as “an organization dedicated to creating something new under conditions of extreme uncertainty.”
$14.59 at Amazon
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Covey’s book is considered one of the most influential business books ever, thanks to its timeless takeaways on the habits that are being constantly refreshed and lived out by the world’s most influential business leaders.
$12.53 at Amazon
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman
Challenges are inevitable, especially when you’re the pilot of a business in the ever-evolving small business landscape. This bestseller tackles six of the most common components to a business, analyzing and offering advice for addressing problems within each of those categories.
$12.99 at Amazon
Founders at Work by Jessica Livingston
On your most challenging days, the triumphs and challenges of founders you admire can be just the pick-me-up you need. This compilation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the start of many successful brands, through the words of their tenacious leaders.
$20.81 at Amazon
Mind Your Business by Ilana Griffo
Keep a highlighter and pen nearby as you work your way through this workbook, an expansive guide for those who want to build a business from scratch. Inside, you can look forward to insider tips, straightforward legal advice, hacks for growing an online platform, and more.
$15.95 at Amazon
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