You’ve found our list of the best small business books.
small business books are guides to starting and running independent businesses. These jobs cover topics such as tax and accounting, operating plans, business start-ups, and small-scale marketing. The purpose of these resources is to prepare aspiring homeowners to juggle the many roles and responsibilities expected of small business owners.
You are reading: Books for small business
These works are a subset of business books and are similar to office management books and books on entrepreneurship.
This post contains:
- small business books for beginners
- small business management books
- books on starting a small business
- books on business marketing small business</li
- small business accounting guides
here’s the list!
small business book list
From best sellers to new releases, here’s a list of books that help small business owners launch, grow, and run independent businesses.
1. Simple numbers, straight words, big profits!: 4 keys to unlocking your business potential by greg crabtree and beverly blair harzog
simple numbers, straight talk, big wins! is one of the easiest books on small business. This guide explains the economics of running a small business in simple terms. The book covers topics such as owner salary, cash flow, labor productivity, taxes, budgeting, and reporting. simple numbers, direct conversation, big wins! uncover the hidden costs of running a business and present a clear picture of the steps needed to make a profit as an owner.
Notable Quote: “Employers often misunderstand the relationship between their salary and return on what they own…when you don’t pay yourself a market-based salary, the his net income is a lie to you.”
buy simple numbers, speak frankly, big wins!
2. Small Time Trader: How to Start Your Own Business, Keep Your Books, Pay Your Taxes, and Stay Out of Trouble by Bernard B. kamoroff c.p.a.
Small Time Trader is one of the most classic small business books for beginners. The book describes the basics of starting a business. This guide defines common terms in easy-to-understand language. Topics include obtaining permits and licenses, starting an accounting system, incorporating, protecting intellectual property, as well as navigating insurance, contracts, and pricing. Updated editions include tips on doing business online and operating in the gig economy. small time operator is a comprehensive reference for new owners and a helpful refresher for veteran entrepreneurs.
Notable quote: “Over two-thirds of all new businesses are started as part-time or weekend ventures, started by people who still hold down a job while experimenting with their new business .so start slow, try it out and learn as you go, you’ll get there.”
buy small time operator.
3. little giants: companies choosing to be big over big by bo burlingham
Little Giants is a collection of case studies of companies that could have been huge, but decided to either grow at a slower, more sustainable pace or stay the same size indefinitely. Bo Burlingham examines fourteen different businesses that had great products and opportunities for massive growth, but passed up opportunities to expand into giants. The book explores the psychology and reasoning behind the reasons to stay small and takes a look at how companies choose to operate instead. little giants is an ode to companies that choose quality over conquest.
Notable quote: “You can’t build a small giant if you’re in an industry where your success depends on the size of your company.”
buy little giants.
4. Mind His Business: A Workbook for Turning Your Creative Passion Into a Full-Time Gig by Ilana Griffo
Take Care of Your Business is a fun yet practical workbook that breaks down the process of starting a business into a series of manageable steps. The book contains a variety of self-assessments and exercises to help aspiring entrepreneurs think about and plan to launch a business. for example, the book has a list of pros and cons for self-employment and a checklist that helps separate real obstacles from imagined ones.
This workbook is a good first step for people who are intimidated or overwhelmed by the more traditional business planning process and need a pep talk, or for creatives and organizers who think best when they doodle ideas. mind your business is a practical approach to outlining a side hustle.
Notable Quote: “It can seem like there are a million hurdles to overcome when starting a business. Some of these are very real (money, materials) and others live only in your head.”
buy careful with your business.
5. will it fly?: how to test your next business idea so you don’t waste your time and money by pat flynn
Fear of failure is one of the main reasons many people never branch out and start a business. will it fly? presents a litmus test to verify the validity of an idea without wasting too much time, money or resources. the book suggests a series of tests to separate viable ideas from chimeras. Pat Flynn also explains ways to bring good ideas to fruition effectively through careful planning, research, and skillful execution. will it fly? it’s a fail-safe playbook for experimentation and innovation.
See Also: Top 7 books on building a strong, positive mindset/mental attitude (2018) – Allround Achievers
Notable Quote: “Your profits are a byproduct of how well you serve your audience, and you can only serve your audience better when you know exactly who they are, what they’re going through, and what it will make them take action.”
buy, will it fly?
6. Taxes: Small Business Quick Start Guide: Understanding Taxes for Your Sole Proprietorship, Startup & llc by clydebank business
Tax: The Small Business Quick Start Guide is one of the simplest accounting guides for small businesses. This resource teaches owners how to properly set up and manage small business taxes. Sections explore concepts such as different tax levels, dealing with the IRS, record keeping, and deductions. The book ends with a list of the most common tax mistakes and ways to avoid these mistakes. Taxes: The Small Business Quick Start Guide is an easy-to-understand manual for paying the government and avoiding penalties.
Notable Quote: “The important thing to know is that many well-managed businesses need to maintain two different accounting record systems: an accrual system for their business and financial management, and a cash system for determining their corresponding tax obligations.”
shopping for taxes: a quick start guide for small businesses.
7. company of one: why staying small is the next big thing for business by paul jarvis
One’s company is an antidote to the “disrupt an industry and conquer the world” business model. The book challenges the notion that choosing to stay small is not ambitious and defends the mindset that getting big is not the only way to find professional fulfillment. True to its name, Company of One explains how to run a sole proprietorship. This guide covers how to grow the business without contracting or expanding operations beyond the scope of the founder’s capabilities. this book offers a different and more manageable alternative to the traditional path of expansive entrepreneurship.
Notable Quote: “There’s nothing wrong with finding the right size and then focusing on getting better. Small can be a long-term plan, not just a springboard.”
buy company from one.
8. Guerrilla Marketing: Easy and Inexpensive Strategies to Get Big Profits from Your Small Business by Jay Conrad Levinson
guerrilla marketing is one of the best books on small business marketing. Jay Conrad Levinson gives readers advice on how to make big profits with modest marketing budgets. According to the author, guerrilla marketing means taking an inventive and imaginative approach to advertising and experimentation instead of relying too heavily on outdated methods. business owners don’t necessarily need to spend a lot to surprise and delight an audience. The book shows readers how to take a fresh approach to advertising while still following the fundamentals and best practices of marketing. guerrilla marketing presents a master class on how to capture attention and gain notoriety with a minimal allocation of advertising.
Notable quote: “Consistency breeds familiarity, familiarity breeds trust, and trust breeds sales.”
buy guerrilla marketing and check out this list of books on growth hacking.
9. supermaker: building businesses on your own terms by jaime schmidt
supermaker is one of the best small business books for crafters. Jaime Schmidt traces his journey from kitchen craftsman to household brand and provides a formula for other manufacturers to duplicate this success. The book explores areas such as marketing, sales growth, product development, customer engagement, operational scaling, and partnerships. supermaker fills in the gaps for the factors beyond a great product that make a small business successful. This guide is a helpful resource for artists-turned-entrepreneurs who need business advice.
Notable Quote: “If you’re on a mission to make a name for yourself, improve your own business or workplace, or contribute to a more responsible and equitable society, then you’re a supermaker.”
buy super manufacturer.
10. side hustle: from idea to revenue in 27 days by chris guillebeau
Many small businesses start out as side jobs. Side Hustle shows aspiring entrepreneurs how to transform startups from experiments to revenue in less than a month. The book lays out a blueprint for taking a business idea from inception to launch for consistent additional income and potentially a full-time job. Chris Guillebeau breaks down the journey week by week, giving readers tasks to complete during each day. The book illustrates ways to brainstorm, build, start a business, and present it to potential partners and investors. Side Hustle is a step-by-step guide to turning a vague inspiration or motivation into an income-generating reality, all within a short period of time. the book presents a formula to enhance a business plan and
Notable Quote: “Don’t let yourself be distracted from the two things that matter most to your side job: profit for customers and revenue for yourself. Spend at least 10 percent more of time to each of these.”
buy side hustle.
11. the pumpkin plan: a simple strategy to grow a remarkable business in any field by mike michalowicz
The Pumpkin Plan presents a collection of techniques for launching and growing successful small businesses. The book explores the reasons why many small businesses fail, especially trying to please and satisfy all potential customers. Drawing from first-hand experience, Mike Michalowicz advocates a more hands-on approach of investing energy in the most promising prospects. The book breaks this concept down into actionable steps and methods. The Pumpkin Plan outlines how to identify winning ideas and strategies and follow these paths most effectively. For business owners with limited time and energy, this book is the definitive guide to avoiding burnout and achieving sustainable growth.
Notable Quote: “Plant the seed that you know has the best chance of making it, and then focus your attention, money, time, and other resources on that narrow niche until all of your entrepreneurial dreams come true.” come true.”
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buy the pumpkin plan.
12. Getting All You Can From All You Have: 21 Ways You Can Outthink, Perform, And Outperform The Competition by Jay Abraham
Getting as much as you can from everything you have is a master class in salesmanship. The guide teaches readers how to use all available resources, no matter how modest, to gain customers and gain a loyal following. This book shows business owners how to identify overlooked opportunities and capitalize on hidden strengths. the underlying thread of the text is “work with what you have and make what you have work for you”. The chapters detail concepts such as calculating the value of customers, eliminating friction in the sales process, and creating wealth without capital. The book teaches vital skills like persuasion and communication, and shows owners how to convince others to believe in their business. getting all you can from all you have is a guide to building a unique business that stands out from the competition.
Notable Quote: “There are plenty of these unmade connections today, especially in the business world. you are surrounded by simple and obvious solutions that can dramatically increase your income, power, influence and success. the problem is that you just don’t see them.”
buy taking as much as you can from everything you have.
13. The Young Entrepreneur’s Guide to Starting and Running a Business: Turn Your Ideas into Money! by steve mariotti
The Young Entrepreneur’s Guide to Starting and Running a Business is a practical guide aimed at young aspiring homeowners. Through the use of anecdotes and real-world examples, the book illustrates that youth is not necessarily a barrier to running a successful business. The guide explains how to spot opportunities, choose a legal structure, find financing, oversee accounting, and grow your business sustainably. Each lesson comes from a successful young founder willing to pass on his first-hand experience to a new generation of entrepreneurs. The Young Entrepreneur’s Guide to Starting and Running a Business provides answers to questions recent graduates or college students may feel too insecure to ask. The book covers all the basics, and although it is written for younger readers, it is a valuable resource for visionaries of all ages. This guide is one of the most helpful books for starting a small business.
Notable Quote: “The beauty of business is that you already have the most important knowledge you need to be successful. you know your market, the people your business serves, better than anyone.”
shop the young entrepreneur’s guide to starting and running a business.
14. the e-myth revisited: why most small businesses fail and what to do about it by michael e. gerb
The Electronic Myth Review is one of the best small business management books. The book’s primary mission is to dispel the myths surrounding small business creation and to offer aspiring owners a more realistic view of entrepreneurship. Running a successful business requires more than just skills and subject matter knowledge, and Michael E. Gerber identifies the behaviors and attitudes that set up companies for success. The book traces the entrepreneurial journey through each stage, from designing the business, to hiring help, building a reputation, and employing business strategy. the revised e-myth is packed with practical steps and tips to help business owners set themselves up for long-term success.
Notable Quote: “If your business depends on you, you don’t own a business, you have a job. And it’s the worst job in the world because you’re working for a lunatic!”
buy the revised e-myth.
15. Content Inc.: How Entrepreneurs Use Content to Build Massive Audiences and Create Radically Successful Businesses by Joe Pulizzi
Content marketing is one of the most effective ways to market and is a useful strategy for businesses large and small. Content Inc describes the basics of the technique and teaches business owners how to attract readers and convert site visitors into customers. The book presents a six-step process for launching a business. Contrary to conventional wisdom, Joe Pulizzi advocates building a following before perfecting a product. content inc is an essential guide to finding and connecting with your target audience and generating demand before launching a service to market.
Notable Quote: “Today’s availability of technology means that any business in any industry can develop an audience through consistent storytelling.”
buy content inc.
final thoughts
Many business books focus on best practices in the corporate world. While these jobs can hold valuable lessons for small business owners, best practices and day-to-day operations can vary quite a bit between the enterprise level and the independent business. small business books talk more about the experiences of mom-and-pop stores, freelancers, and independent entrepreneurs. These jobs provide business advice for non-entrepreneurs and help first-time owners navigate the complexities and challenges of starting a new business.
To read more, check out business books by female authors, marketing books, advertising books, or human resources books.
We also have a list of books on customer service and a similar list of books on customer success.
Frequently Asked Questions: Small Business Books
here are answers to common questions about small business books.
what are some good small business books?
Some good books on small business include Small Time Operator by Bernard B. kamoroff, mike michalowicz’s pumpkin plan, simple numbers, straight talk, big wins! by greg crabtree and beverly blair harzog, and the electronic myth reviewed by michael e. gerber.
why should owners read small business books?
Owners should read small business books because running a business is difficult and requires a broad set of knowledge and skills. Running a small business often requires owners to play multiple roles and complete a number of challenging tasks. Reading small business books can help prepare owners to better manage people and make smart decisions.
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