Must-Read Books for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
We asked the entrepreneurs themselves, “What is one book you would recommend for aspiring entrepreneurs?”
Becoming an entrepreneur is a dream of many, a journey filled with challenges, excitement, and endless possibilities.
To help navigate this path, we turned to the experts themselves.
We asked seasoned entrepreneurs,
“What is one book you would recommend for aspiring entrepreneurs?”
Whether you’re just starting your journey or looking to take your business to the next level, these books offer invaluable insights, practical advice, and the motivation to turn your dreams into reality.
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
There are many great books out there, but one that I often recommend is The Lean Startup by Eric Ries.
This book is a literal goldmine for budding entrepreneurs as it talks about validating your ideas quickly and refining your product based on customer feedback.
This can help you avoid wasting time and resources on features that nobody wants. It’s a practical guide filled with real-world examples that are applicable to almost any business.
Rahul Vij, Co Founder, WebSpero Solutions
I recommend The Lean Startup by Eric Ries, too. As a UI/UX agency co-founder, I find its principles on creating a minimum viable product (MVP), gathering user feedback, and iterating based on real-world data incredibly valuable.
This book teaches you how to test your ideas quickly and efficiently, making it essential for anyone wanting to build a sustainable and innovative business.
Juan Carlos Munoz, Co-Founder, CC Creative Design
One business book that I would highly recommend to anyone looking to start a business is The Lean Startup by Eric Ries.
This book emphasizes the importance of constantly testing and adapting your ideas, products, and processes based on customer feedback.
It also dives into key concepts such as minimum viable product, continuous innovation, and rapid iteration.
Amira Irfan, Founder and CEO, A Self Guru
The Great CEO Within by Matt Mochary
I recommend The Great CEO Within by Matt Mochary. It’s a practical guide that provides actionable insights for building and scaling a successful business.
The book covers everything from leadership and management to decision-making and company culture, making it an invaluable resource for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Vivian Chen, Founder & CEO, Rise
Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull
Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull is a must-read for entrepreneurs.
It’s often seen as a bible for building creative teams that can think outside the box — essential for startup success.
Catmull, co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios along with Steve Jobs and John Lasseter, delves into how separating mediocre mindsets from excellence can transform a good idea into something phenomenal.
It guides entrepreneurs on how to lead their teams to foster and freely express creative ideas, setting the groundwork for transformative success.
Alex LaDouceur, Co-Founder, Webineering
100 Million Offers by Alex Hormozi
If you’re planning to kickstart a business, I highly recommend reading 100 Million Offers by Alex Hormozi.
Hormozi teaches you to think strategically about value creation, pricing, and customer psychology, helping you to develop offerings that significantly boost your business’s growth and profitability.
Owen Burgher, Co-Founder, Nutri Peak
Black Box Thinking: The Surprising Truth About Success by Matthew Syed
One book that I read way too late is Black Box Thinking: The Surprising Truth About Success — it’s a great piece by Matthew Syed, about how learning from errors makes everyone better.
The airline industry is the most fragile one when it comes to problems caused by errors and malfunctions, but as a result, it’s one of the safest transportation methods.
Your business also should be harsh after an error, so the lessons and knowledge you gain make you more reliable and resistant to such problems in the future.
Scott Cohen, CEO, InboxArmy
The Art of War by Sun Tzu
I suggest reading The Art of War by Sun Tzu.
Although it was originally intended to help leaders strategize for battle, its concepts and principles are now being applied to business and life in general.
It teaches in-depth the importance of being prepared for any situation and how the best battle is the one that is won without being fought.
Vlad Khorkhorov, CEO & Co-Founder, WebsitePolicies
Zero to One by Peter Thiel
Zero to One by Peter Thiel is always insightful to read a book based on the experience and thoughts of a successful entrepreneur.
The book makes some great points about startup strategies and how to stay on top of the competition while offering strong and unique goods and services.
The main point is that when you start a business, you build something from “zero” — the very basis — and not from “one,” for example, the idea or product that already exists. Without exaggerating, it is the best book on entrepreneurship that I’ve ever read.
Mateusz Calik, CEO, Delante
Chop Wood Carry Water by Joshua Medcalf
One book that helped me a lot on my entrepreneurial and career journey was Chop Wood Carry Water by Joshua Medcalf.
The startup process is incredibly stressful; there’s so much to do, and it can be hard to feel like you’re making progress.
This book is all about prioritizing the process over immediate results, which is essential for keeping an even keel as you’re working on your business and yourself at the same time.
Nick Valentino, VP of Market Operations, Bellhop
Entrepreneurial You: Monetize Your Expertise, Create Multiple Income Streams, and Thrive by Dorie Clark
If you’re looking to start a business, I’d recommend Entrepreneurial You: Monetize Your Expertise, Create Multiple Income Streams, and Thrive by Dorie Clark.
It’s one thing to dream of being an entrepreneur and quite another to actually learn the ropes, make a name for yourself, and develop multiple revenue streams while continuously attracting new clients.
The author provides insightful advice and a solid plan to turn your dreams into reality. Her book includes stories from successful entrepreneurs of various backgrounds.
Amir Elaguizy, CEO and Co-Founder, Cratejoy, Inc
Lead From the Future by Mark W. Johnson and Josh Suskewicz
This book is highly recommended. Johnson and Suskewicz offer actionable insights on how to craft a future-back strategy — to make sure that the business remains innovative and ahead of the curve.
Focusing on what the future can look like and working backward to create a roadmap helps entrepreneurs deal with uncertainties and seize opportunities in a rapidly evolving market.
Natasha Rei, Marketing Specialist, Explainerd
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