7 Books Every Entrepreneur Should Make Time to Read

Entrepreneurs just starting out receive a lot of conflicting information.  They might hear what sound like a few great tips from a friend, and then read the opposite on a business blog.  That’s where this list of books comes in – to give you plenty of solid advice that will help you get your career off the ground and make the right decisions.  Since entrepreneurs tend to eat, sleep and breathe business anyway, they’ll be perfect to tote along to the beach and other relaxing destinations as summer reading.  In no particular order, here are seven books every entrepreneur should make time to read.

The Art of the Start by Guy Kawasaki – If you only get around to reading one book, make it this one.  Kawasaki is a Silicon Valley venture capitalist who revolutionized the tech business with his ‘evangelism’ strategy, and he passes on his considerable knowledge in this must-read. The Art of the Start covers everything form identifying your customer base to building brand identity.

Purple Cow by Seth Godin – This is a great book for people who don’t love to read because it’s short and written in a conversational style.  It’s a guide to making your business stand out from the crowd.  At its core is the concept that taking a risk by offering a product or service that’s so useful, interesting, outrageous and note-worthy is what will ultimately lead to success for most business owners.  Godin backs up this idea with many mini case-studies.

Natural Capitalism by Paul Hawken – Learn how to be efficient and profitable while saving the environment and creating jobs with this book by three top strategists.  It’s an inspiring and visionary look at how business will thrive in the next century as entrepreneurs and corporations turn toward sustainability.  The concept of ‘natural capitalism’ is explored through four central strategies: radical resource productivity, biomimicry, service and flow economy and investment.  It’s a great guide for those who believe that thinking green now will lead to success in business as times continue to change.

The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber – The E-Myth is the myth of the entrepreneur, and according to author and business consultant Michael Gerber, it’s defined by businesses assuming that understanding the technical details of what they do is the same as understanding how to run their business. Gerber outlines the worst business vices that most often cause businesses to fail, and explains how to avoid them.

Good to Great by Jim Collins – Author Jim Collins and his team of researchers set out to discover what makes businesses truly great, and found 11 companies that truly made substantial improvements over time.  The book examines the common thread that runs through these companies’ success – what he calls the “Hedgehog Concept”, a product or service that leads a company to outshine all of its competitors.

The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss – While it may sound at first like a typical scammy get-rich-quick guide, the 4-Hour Workweek is full of excellent, real-life tips that will help you make the most of your time.  It explains how automation, outsourcing and eliminating distractions can liberate you from the 9-5 grind and help you attain a mobile lifestyle that can aid you in your quest to be successful in business.

Small Giants by Bo Burlingham – Burlingham examines businesses, from microbreweries to musician’s private record labels, that have managed to achieve great success in business without becoming corporate giants. 14 small businesses are profiled, and Burlingham explains how they were able to stay true to their original visions without selling out.  It’s a great guide for those who want to build their passions into successful businesses.