The 13 Best Books for Entrepreneurs

By Brett Farmiloe

What are the best business books to read if you’re starting a business? From The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss to Shoe Dog, a memoir by Nike founder Phil Knight, 12 entrepreneurs and business experts share their favorite reads.

1. Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything by B.J. Fogg, PhD

“Your plans for starting a business will demand a paradigm shift in your habits. After all, they don’t call being in business a full-time job for nothing. And this book is just what you’ll need to make those small yet highly effective changes in your habits that will help you embrace your new role as an entrepreneur.

“Clearly outlining how successful habits lead to a successful business and life, the author’s insights are based as much on tangible research as they are on practical implications. This comprehensive approach creates a set of groundbreaking observations, lessons, and recommendations that are innovative and expansive.”

—Azmaira Maker, PhD, Aspiring Families

2. The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss

“The 4-Hour Workweek is an excellent book to read if you are looking to start a business. It provides readers with practical advice and guidance on how to manage time effectively, focus on the task at hand, and create efficient work environments that enable you to achieve your goals.

“One of the most important aspects of this book is Ferriss’ emphasis on proper rest and sleep, which can help you improve your productivity levels while avoiding burnout and other detrimental side effects that often plague entrepreneurs who are striving for success. Furthermore, The 4-Hour Work Week offers tips and strategies for creating effective marketing campaigns that promote your product or service without spending too much money or going over budget.”

—Johannes Larsson, JohannesLarsson.com

3. Make Time: How to Focus On What Matters Every Day by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky

“When starting a business, we feel that we always have to be busy. That’s what social media and podcasts and YouTube videos tell us, anyway. If we’re not hustling 24/7, we’re not doing it right. Correct? Wrong. I did this, and it didn’t work. It burned me out, and my relationship struggled. I came across this book, and it really resonated with me.

“Essentially, this book teaches you to get off social media and stop booking pointless meetings. Instead, focus on what matters to you and your business. Turn everything off, and look after yourself and your family—because that’s what matters.”

—Ravi Davda, Rockstar Marketing

4. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey is an entrepreneurial classic and a fantastic book to read for someone wanting to start a new business. The book guides readers through the steps for developing sound personal and professional habits to become more effective in their business ventures. Each of the seven habits Covey teaches is necessary for success, and each will help any new business owner navigate potential obstacles that may arise as they start their journey.”

—John White, We Run

5. The Lean Startup by Eric Ries

“The Lean Startup provides fresh ideas and a no-nonsense framework for startups to follow in order to achieve success. The book argues that the traditional model of starting a business, investing a large amount of money upfront and hoping to achieve a large return later, is no longer effective.

“Instead, startups should focus on creating a minimum viable product, or MVP, a stripped-down version of the product that can be tested on whether there is customer demand. If there is demand, then the startup can slowly expand its operations. However, if there is no buyer interest, then the startup should pivot to a new idea. Whilst they may seem logical, for an entrepreneur who has a huge belief in their business or product, it’s easy to have tunnel vision and only realize later they have invested in a lemon.

“The book has been praised for its practical approach to starting a business and has become an invaluable resource for many entrepreneurs.”

—Jake Munday, Custom Neon

6. Shoe Dog by Phil Knight

“In his autobiography, Shoe Dog, Nike cofounder Phil Knight discusses how he arrived at his decision to live the unconventional life of an entrepreneur, and while doing so, he lets his witty, likable, and unvarnished personality come through. By the end of the book, readers will feel like they know Knight better than ever before, and they’ll be equipped with his hard-won advice on entrepreneurship because of his inspiring story.”

— Kyle Bassett, Altitude Control

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