I’m working on launching a small business and I’m quickly learning that a business education circa 2012 doesn’t always start in the classroom or end with an MBA. These days, more and more of us with the business itch are turning to a more grassroots approach, gleaning wisdom from the words of those who have walked the path before.
These five books are the business insights that really speak to me. Best of all, they’re not separate entities—they’re the launchpad for (or the result of) online communities built around successful business owners sharing information about what worked for them.
You are reading: Books for beginner entrepreneurs
1. the 4-hour workweek by timothy ferriss
I dare you to read this and not get a little excited and be ready for action. The latest edition of this innovator has even more tools and updated content to help you create and automate an income generator (aka your “muse”), leaving you free to pursue your passions: other business plans, travel, you name it. . ferriss debunks old assumptions about business, from the basics (the “bench hours” we all tend to keep aren’t the most productive) to the more complex (he lays out a plan to make an aston martin db9 affordable with his dreamline tool ).
favorite takeaway: ferriss argues, “…you’re the average of the five people you hang out with the most, so don’t underestimate the effects of your pessimistic, unambitious, or disorganized friends. If someone isn’t making you stronger, they’re making you weaker.” hard to hear? yes, but consider the truth of this. if you want to become a better runner, you run with a group that pushes you to go further faster, right? If you want to become the most optimistic, determined and organized version of yourself, surround yourself with good examples.
2. the fire starting sessions of danielle laporte
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If you’ve been waiting for the go-ahead to move on to your next project, you’ve just received your red-hot permission slip. Laporte delivers 16 beautifully crafted sessions packed with motivated kindness. nothing preachy or perfectionist about it, but don’t be fooled: his passion will grab you by the shoulders and pull you out of the action. personal stories give texture to the sessions and make the relationship seem so familiar you’ll forget you’re not really friends. self help meets marketing ninja, this is definitely one to read and reread.
favorite conclusion: okay, it was hard to choose a favorite: the whole book is a conclusion. but, generosity is where it is: “make generosity part of your growth strategy. don’t wait don’t wait until your stuff is sold or you have enough cushion in your bank account. don’t wait until you have more time. give now.”
3. $100 start-up by chris guillebeau
As it turns out, you don’t have to be a trust-fund baby, on the hook for a business loan, or just plain old lucky to start your very own enterprise (there goes that excuse). Guillebeau gives rousing examples of somewhat-accidental entrepreneurs making success out of strife, opportunity, and circumstances—mostly by turning a passion or hobby into something that can be profitable, and always by starting for less than most of us invested in lattes in the past year. He doesn’t necessarily encourage every knitter to open a yarn store, but he does promote creative thinking about how you can leverage a natural talent or long-loved activity into a business model.
favorite takeaway: traditional demographics are dead. as guillebeau says, “who are your people? you don’t necessarily have to think of them in categories like age, race, and gender. instead, you can talk about them in terms of shared beliefs and values.” Think of the customers of an organic and vegan bakery that specializes in gluten-free products. Every person who walks through the door may not be a single white woman, but you can bet they’ll all be interested in health, wellness, and delicious breads and pastries.
4. enchantment by guy kawasaki
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What’s the difference between spending your money on something that immediately gives you buyer’s remorse and the singing angels’ delight that comes with real treasure? enchantment. guy kawasaki explains this concept in a way that leaves you nodding along with his suggestions. As an entrepreneur, he will find more than a few gems in this to get him thinking about how to really take care of his customers. as a client, he will look for businesses that employ this type of care so that he can provide them with more support.
favorite takeaway: kawasaki redefined competition and market share for me. as he says, “there are two types of people and organizations in the world: canteens and bakers. eaters want a larger slice of an existing cake; bakers want to make a bigger cake.” In a world where entrepreneurs sometimes look around and think, “but it’s been done before,” this statement makes you rethink the limits you’re putting on yourself and your business.
5. finding your way in a wild new world by martha beck
Now, bear with me: Although not directly related to business, Oprah’s life coach Martha Beck offers some challenging personal questions in her latest book that will speak directly to your inner entrepreneur. If you approach this with the idea of showing your real, passionate business self, you’ll get pretty serious pretty quickly about what you’d really like to do to make money. If you’re a somewhat new-agey hippie masquerading as a yuppie, all the better: the spiritual and self-help aspects of this book will speak directly to your soul. if not, try it anyway; you’ll be surprised how pragmatic these tools are.
Favorite Takeaway: Beck continually revisits the questions, “How the hell did I get here? What the hell do I do now?” throughout this book. If you’ve ever asked yourself any variations of these questions, you can dig deeper by trekking with her through londolozi (the african game reserve where nelson mandela stayed when he was released from prison more than 20 years ago) on a miraculous quest for inspiration and change.
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