When starting up a business, you need an expert hand who can guide you, take you into depth of the challenging world, and prepare you how to stand in the crowd. But how can you get guidelines from these business experts by reading the best book about starting a business?
Reading books by renowned entrepreneurs and experts will guide you in making your startup successful. With years of experience, they capture all the ups and downs you may face while running a business. Besides, building leadership quality, managing finance, and facing challenges are core to business. And the successful entrepreneur knows how to deal with these facts. Reading their writings will surely open your eyes and assist you in bringing the best strategy for your business.
So, without any further delay, get into my top selected books on starting a business. Whether you are in the hotel business or want to learn marketing, these books will help you out!
Top 5 Books For Starting A Business
| Sl. | Book Name | Author | Editor Picks For | Check Price |
| 1 | Entrepreneurial You | Dorie Clark | Personal branding | Price On Amazon |
| 2 | The Lean Startup | Eric Ries | Beginner or startup | Price On Amazon |
| 3 | Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook | Gary Vaynerchuk | Social Media Marketing | Price On Amazon |
| 4 | Setting the Table | Danny Meyer | Restaurant Business | Price On Amazon |
| 5 | The Founder’s Dilemmas | Noam Wasserman | Challenges in new business | Price On Amazon |
10 Best Books On Starting A Business
Below, I have listed the top 10 best books on starting a business. The author of all these books is expertise in the business field and knows how to bring success in this field. Therefore, get deep into the business world and pick the best book to assist you in your startup-
1. “Entrepreneurial You” by Dorie Clark
| Book Name | Entrepreneurial You: Monetize Your Expertise, Create Multiple Income Streams, and Thrive |
| Author Name | Dorie Clark |
| Language | English |
| Published Date | October 3, 2017 |
| Editors Rating | 4.6 stars out of 5 |
| Pages | 272 pages |
“Entrepreneurial You” by Dorie Clark guides the starter to build a successful entrepreneurial career. This book, published in 2017, till today, is one of the best-selling books on career development.
Book Review
In her book, Dorie Clark provides practical advice and strategies for a versatile income source. She focuses and encourages you to work on self-branding for a successful business. Dorie states that a well-built person can stand alone in a crowded marketplace. That is why you must have a strong personality.
She further emphasized multiple money-generating options. Relying financially on a single source is always risky. Instead, look for different ways you can make money, for instance, consulting, coaching, speaking, writing, and more. This book also teaches you how to build a network and know the community to expand your business. So, if you want to work on self-development and explore how to become an entrepreneur, this is the best book to read.
- Favorite Quote From “Entrepreneurial You”
“Don’t count on payment until you’ve started to establish yourself a bit.”
― Dorie Clark, Entrepreneurial You
- Key Takeaways
- Building multiple income sources lowers financial risk
- A strong personal brand can open up new opportunities
- Invest in self-learning and skill development to remain updated
- Try new income-generating strategies
2. “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries
| Book Name | The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses |
| Author Name | Eric Ries |
| Language | English |
| Published Date | September 13, 2011 |
| Editors Rating | 4.5 stars out of 5 |
| Pages | 336 pages |
The author of “The Lean Startup,” Eric Ries, reveals the methods for building and managing startups more efficiently in this book. The core idea of this book is to prioritize customer experience and take action accordingly to satisfy them.
Book Review
Eric Ries suggests that readers start a business with a minimum viable product (MVP) rather than spending years to develop and launch a single item. This helps you learn the marketplace well and acquire customer interaction techniques. The lean startup process revolves around a feedback loop. First, you need to build a product, get customer feedback, and thus measure its performance. This cycle helps you to identify your business needs and make quick decisions. But don’t make the loop too lengthy; as soon as you receive feedback, work on it immediately.
The author of this book introduces ‘The Five Whys’. Whenever you face any issue in your business, find out five reasons that will make finding a solution easier. He further focuses on experimenting to learn what works for your business and what doesn’t. Eric suggested the readers follow lean manufacturing techniques to cut waste from their startup process. Besides, you should minimize the resources that don’t bring much value and avoid overproduction.
- Favorite Quote From “The Lean Startup”
“The point is not to find the average customer but to find early adopters: the customers who feel the need for the product most acutely. Those customers tend to be more forgiving of mistakes and are especially eager to give feedback.”
―Eric Ries, The Lean Startup
- Key Takeaways
- Build a minimum viable product (MVP)
- Focus on learning what works for your business and what doesn’t
- Use split testing (A/B testing) to compare different versions of your product
- Apply lean manufacturing principles to minimize waste
3. “Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook,” by Gary Vaynerchuk
| Book Name | Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How to Tell Your Story in a Noisy Social World |
| Author Name | Gary Vaynerchuk |
| Language | English |
| Published Date | November 26, 2013 |
| Editors Rating | 4.6 stars out of 5 |
| Pages | 224 pages |
In “Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook,” Gary Vaynerchuk brings out the power of social media in making your business a big success. If you want to learn about social media marketing, this book is an ideal choice to pick.
Book Review
Vaynerchuk emphasizes the importance of social media in business by using the terms “jabs” and “right hooks.” The “jabs” are the benefits you offer to your audience through interesting, entertaining, and timely content. These jabs help build connection and trust. The “right hook” is the call to action or marketing message you provide after adding value. And to deliver the right hook, timing, and context are essential.
In this era of social media, effective visual storytelling can change the entire game of your business. A good quality image and potential videos influence the mind set of customers to take service from you. However, different platforms have varying audience bases with differences in mindset. So, Vaynerchuk peeks into specific strategies for popular social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. He shares detailed analyses of what works and what doesn’t on each platform. You will get a real-case study and examples of both successful and unsuccessful social media campaigns. Learning them will help you to create the best marketing strategy for your business.
- Favorite Quote From “Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook”
“Successful storytelling builds brand equity, and businesses with high brand equity don’t need to draw as much attention to themselves and their achievements as those that are still establishing their value to the customer.”
―Gary Vaynerchuk, Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook
- Key Takeaways
- Each social media platform has its own unique culture
- Invest in high-quality visuals to engage customers
- Clearly define your CTAs
- Experiment with different content formats and strategies
4. “Setting The Table,” by Danny Meyer
| Book Name | Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business |
| Author Name | Danny Meyer |
| Language | English |
| Published Date | January 29, 2008 |
| Editors Rating | 4.6 stars out of 5 |
| Pages | 336 pages |
Are you into the restaurant business? If yes, “Setting the Table” by Danny Meyer is a must-read book for you. In this book, Danny, a prominent restaurateur and hospitality industry leader, shares his experiences and offers valuable lessons for the hospitality business.
Book Review
Meyer, in this book, introduces the concept of “Enlightened Hospitality.” According to this concept, hospitality is the cornerstone of the restaurant business. And you can provide better customer care by taking care of your employees. Meyer argues that the hospitality industry is not just about providing food but more than that. You must provide the guests with enjoyable experiences that encourage them to revisit. He advises concentrating on even the smallest details in the dining experience, from menu selection, location, table setting, lighting, and all other facts.
Reading “Setting the Table” will teach you how to value the customers and employees. In this case, selecting the right team is also important. So, you must hire individuals with the right attitude and train them with the necessary skills. Last but not least, prioritize customer feedback and be open to adapting to changes.
- Favorite Quote From “Setting the Table”
“Business, like life, is all about how you make people feel. It’s that simple, and it’s that hard.”
― Danny Meyer, Setting the Table
- Key Takeaways
- Prioritize both guest and employee satisfaction
- Be open to bringing changes as per customers’ preferences
- Understand and respect cultural differences in hospitality.
- Be active in the local community
5. “The Founder’s Dilemmas” by Noam Wasserman
| Book Name | The Founder’s Dilemmas: Anticipating and Avoiding the Pitfalls That Can Sink a Startup |
| Author Name | Noam Wasserman |
| Language | English |
| Published Date | April 1, 2013 |
| Editors Rating | 4.5 stars out of 5 |
| Pages | 496 pages |
Noam Wasserman, a professor at Harvard Business School, shared the challenges that entrepreneurs face in the early stage of business in his book “The Founder’s Dilemmas.” If you are planning for a startup, go through this book to be mentally prepared for encountering the odds.
Book Review
In “The Founder’s Dilemmas,” Wasserman identifies several dilemmas that founders face when starting and growing a new business. These include issues related to the following:
- Equity distribution
- Co-founder dynamics
- Decision-making
- Impact of personal and professional relationships on the business
The distribution of equity is one of the central dilemmas that Wasserman highlights. It is a quality spit that can affect the relationship between the founders. So, at the first stage of your business, you must clear the allocation of stakes and ownership to ensure long-term relations.
He also brings out the pros and cons of Solo Founder vs. Co-founder. In solo business, you will face decision-making challenges, but it gives you complete control over the business. In contrast, co-founding a business brings complementary skills and support; there is more chance of clashes. Overall, this book is an ideal choice for those who are getting into startups and want to avoid common pitfalls.
- Favorite Quote From “The Founder’s Dilemmas”
“All told, entrepreneurs earned 35% less over a 10-year period than they could have earned in a “paid job.” The authors of these studies therefore wondered why so many intelligent people would wish to play this game if there is indeed no “private-equity premium.”
― Noam Wasserman, The Founder”s Dilemmas
- Key Takeaways
- Choose co-founders wisely
- Clear up the equity split at the beginning of the business
- Balance personal relationships with business decisions
- Seek advice and guidance from experienced mentors
6. “Crush It” by Gary Vaynerchuk
| Book Name | Crush It!: Why Now Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion |
| Author Name | Gary Vaynerchuk |
| Language | English |
| Published Date | January 1, 2013 |
| Editors Rating | 5 stars out of 5 |
| Pages | 160 pages |
Do you want to turn your passion into a profitable business? Read “Crush It!: Why Now Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion” by Gary Vaynerchuk. In this book, he offers advice and suggestions to individuals to utilize the digital platform to turn their interest into business.
Book Review
Gary Vaynerchuk emphasizes having adequate knowledge and interest in your business to make it successful. If you don’t love what you do, you will never be able to get the best outcome from this. The author advises readers to create their own online brands. You can establish a powerful online presence by using websites like blogs, social media, and YouTube. This will help you to create a personal brand, allowing you to gain authority and reputation in your chosen sector.
Though the book focuses on following your passion, Vaynerchuk also offers advice on monetizing your online presence. He talks about other sources of income, including speaking engagements, affiliate marketing, and product sales. You will also learn about real-life examples of people who turned their passion into a successful business. This will encourage you to do the same.
- Favorite Quote From “Crust It”
“You may not have connections, or an education, or wealth, but with enough passion and sweat, you can make anything happen.”
― Gary Vaynerchuk, Crush It
- Key Takeaways
- Have sufficient knowledge of your niche
- Develop a personal brand online
- Stay updated and embrace new technologies
- Create valuable and engaging content
7. “The Art of the Start 2.0” by Guy Kawasaki
| Book Name | The Art of the Start 2.0: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything |
| Author Name | Guy Kawasaki |
| Language | English |
| Published Date | January 1, 2015 |
| Editors Rating | 4.6 stars out of 5 |
| Pages | 336 pages |
“The Art of the Start 2.0” is the updated version of Kawasaki’s original “The Art of the Start.” In this book, he explores the secret to starting and scaling a business successfully in this modern digital era.
Book Review
Kawasaki, the author of “The Art of the Start 2.0”, emphasizes the importance of a clear vision for your business. He discusses the need for a practical and customer-focused purpose to drive success. Having a good team is essential to run your business successfully. So, Kawasaki suggests finding the right co-founders and team members to bring innovation and excellence.
He further suggested not to rely heavily on external funding. Instead, try to build a business in a scalable, cost-effective way. Kawasaki introduces the readers to the concept of “evangelism marketing.” This involves creating effective marketing strategies for your brand and products. Reading this book, you will learn about the power of storytelling and authenticity in marketing. Impactful leadership is another crucial aspect that he talked about. So, if you want to win in the long run, you should have good leadership qualities and be honest in running a business.
- Favorite Quote From “The Art of the Start 2.0”
“If you think that leadership is deciding what you want and telling people to do it, I feel sorry for you. Reality is going kick your ass so far that not even Google will find you.”
― Guy Kawasaki, The Art of the Start 2.0
- Key Takeaways
- Use digital tools to create brand awareness
- Storytelling plays a great role in marketing
- Have a creative and strong team
- Don’t rely too much on external funds
8. “The Hard Thing About Hard Things” by Ben Horowitz
| Book Name | The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers |
| Author Name | Ben Horowitz |
| Language | English |
| Published Date | March 4, 2014 |
| Editors Rating | 4.6 stars out of 5 |
| Pages | 304 pages |
Ben Horowitz, a successful entrepreneur and venture capitalist, shares the challenges of building and leading a startup in his book “The Hard Thing About Hard Things.” If you are into the tech business, this book is a great option for you to read.
Book Review
Challenges will come in every business, which is normal. But you should always be ready to tackle those. In this case, a leader plays a great role in molding his team and solving every problem confidently. Horowitz portrays how leaders often have to make unpopular decisions for the company’s good. This can involve layoffs, reorganizations, or even changing the company’s direction. He suggests approaching these tough choices with conviction and humanity.
In this book, you will also learn hiring practices and how to build the right corporate culture. He states though short-term processes seem appealing, they are not sustainable. So, he advises the readers to think of long-term business. To meet the growing demand of the rapidly changing market, innovation and adaptation is the key to growing your business. Therefore, if you want an insight into the unpredictable startup world, read this book.
- Favorite Quote From “The Hard Thing About Hard Things”
“Hard things are hard because there are no easy answers or recipes. They are hard because your emotions are at odds with your logic. They are hard because you don’t know the answer and you cannot ask for help without showing weakness.”
― Ben Horowitz, The Hard Thing About Hard Things
- Key Takeaways
- be prepared for difficult decisions and situations
- Prioritize the well-being of your employees
- Don’t be afraid to seek advice and mentorship
- Mistakes and failures can provide valuable lessons for growth
9. “The E-Myth Revisited” by Michael E. Gerber
| Book Name | The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It |
| Author Name | Michael E. Gerber |
| Language | English |
| Published Date | October 14, 2004 |
| Editors Rating | 4.7 stars out of 5 |
| Pages | 288 pages |
Looking for the best books for starting your own business? “The E-Myth Revisited” by Michael E. Gerber is a good one to consider. In this book, he presents why small businesses fail and advises on how to make them successful.
Book Review
In this book, Michael E. Gerber introduces the concept of the “E-Myth.” He states that most small business owners are more likely to be skilled technicians than traditional entrepreneurs. This is what leads to failure in businesses. Knowing only your work’s technical aspects is insufficient for making a business successful. So, Gerber lists down three core roles within a business; these are:
- Entrepreneur
- Manager
- Technician
As an entrepreneur, you will have to be innovative and bring out creative ideas for business. The manager’s role is to plan, organize, and manage the business’s operations. And lastly, a technician is responsible for delivering a product or service. Your business will surely succeed if you can properly balance these three elements.
But in reality, the small startup wholly depends on the technician. And due to the lack of entrepreneurship mindset and proper management, it eventually leads to failure. So, if you don’t want to fail in your startup, invest time developing long-term vision and strategies instead of focusing only on day-to-day operations.
- Favorite Quote From “The E-Myth Revisited”
“The work we do is a reflection of who we are. If we’re sloppy at it, it’s because we’re sloppy inside, If we’re late at it, it’s because we’re late inside. If we’re bored by it, it’s because we’re bored inside, with ourselves, not with the work. The most menial work can be a piece of art when done by an artist. So the job here is not outside of ourselves, but inside of ourselves. How we do our work becomes a mirror of how we are inside.”
― Michael E. Gerber, The E-Myth Revisited
- Key Takeaways
- Define a clear vision for your business
- Balance the role of entrepreneur, manager, and technician
- Minimal owner involvement
- Create effective marketing strategies
10. “EntreLeadership” by Dave Ramsey
| Book Name | EntreLeadership: 20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom from the Trenches |
| Author Name | Dave Ramsey |
| Language | English |
| Published Date | September 20, 2011 |
| Editors Rating | 4.7 stars out of 5 |
| Pages | 320 pages |
Dave Ramsey, a well-known finance expert, has shared his practical business knowledge of 20 years in his book “EntreLeadership.” This one is a good option if you are looking for the best entrepreneurship books.
Book Review
The term “EntreLeader” represents a fusion of the qualities of an entrepreneur and a leader. According to Dave Ramsey, a successful entrepreneur must be a good leader. He should be both creative and strategic. Communication skill is another vital aspect that a leader should learn. He should also know the art of quick decision-making. So, he provides a framework for the readers to make decision faster; these includes:
- Gathering data
- Consulting with trusted advisors
- Taking calculated risks
Ramsey, renowned for his knowledge of finances, emphasizes the significance of financial discipline in business. He advises EntreLeaders to run their companies with a sound financial base, avoiding debt and carefully handling cash flow. To sum up, by reading this book, you will learn the importance of vision, financial restraint, effective communication, teamwork, and personal growth for long-term company success.
- Favorite Quote From “EntreLeadership”
“If you don’t own the goal and it doesn’t come from your dream, then you won’t have the toughness to persevere when the going gets tough. And I will promise you that the going will get tough. There is never an exception—everyone who wins must push through obstacles, lots of them. You simply will not get up at dawn for your three-mile run because your wife wants you thinner. Big goals require a big backbone—wimps need not apply.”
― Dave Ramsey, EntreLeadership
- Key Takeaways
- Managing money wisely
- Have a budget for every task
- Hiring the right people and building a strong team is crucial
- Invest in personal and professional development
The Bottom Line
Reading the best books about business success opens your eyes to implementing the correct strategy. If you are a beginner and roaming around from where to start, I suggest you read “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries. This book of just 336 pages will teach you the power of innovation in today’s world to bring radical business success.
Again, marketing plays a giant role in creating a brand identity, and you can’t ignore the importance of social media in creating engagement. However, all social media platforms are not an equality event for every business. For this, read “Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook” by Gary Vaynerchuk to learn social media marketing in depth.
“Entrepreneurial You” by Dorie Clark is one of the best picks to build yourself as a brand. However, starting a new business isn’t easy; you will face thousands of changes every day. To cope with these struggles, Noam Wasserman, in his book “The Founder’s Dilemmas,” has listed business challenges and suggested how to face them.
To end up, reading any particular book will not give you an overall idea of business strategy. So, you must select at least two or three books from my list and also follow your mentor’s advice to bring up a successful business!