“What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do.”
Starting a business can be exciting, but navigating the world of entrepreneurship comes with challenges. Whether you’re launching a new start-up, building a side hustle or dreaming of financial freedom, the right books for aspiring entrepreneurs can provide the knowledge and inspiration you need. From the best guidebooks on starting a business to expert insights on business growth and leadership, these must-reads offer valuable insights from the world’s most successful entrepreneurs. Join us today at What We Reading as we round up the best books for new entrepreneurs, covering topics ranging from innovation, business strategy and financial success. Whether you’re looking for small business books, self-made millionaire success stories or how-to guides for solopreneurs, these are the reads that promise to help you develop the skills and mindset to thrive.
The 4-Hour Workweek – Timothy Ferriss
First up on our list of the best books for entrepreneurs is Tim Ferriss’ game-changing book for those looking to escape the 9-to-5 grind and build a business that supports financial freedom. In The 4-Hour Workweek, Ferriss introduces the Lifestyle Design concept, showing how to work smarter, automate income and create a business that runs with minimal effort. Using the DEAL framework – Definition, Elimination, Automation, and Liberation – he explains how to eliminate time-wasting tasks, outsource work efficiently, and generate passive income through smart business practices.
This must-read business book for beginners takes aim at traditional work models, educating readers on how to launch online businesses, side hustles, and remote income streams. Whether you’re a new entrepreneur, or looking to scale your small business, Ferriss’ work provides actionable steps for maximising productivity, reducing workload and achieving financial success.
Blue Ocean Strategy: How To Create Uncontested Market Space And Make The Competition Irrelevant – W. Chan Kim And Renée Mauborgne
Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne is a must-read book for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to break free from overly-saturated markets and create unique business opportunities. The book introduces the concept of ‘blue oceans’ – untapped market spaces with little to no competition – juxtaposing them with ‘red oceans’, where businesses compete for existing demand.
Using real-world case studies, the authors outline a step-by-step business strategy for innovation, differentiation and market leadership. Entrepreneurs learn how to shift focus from competing over price to constructing high-value, uncontested markets, leading to business growth and longer-term success. Blue Ocean Strategy provides concise guides on standing out, building a profitable business and developing innovative products for a proven blueprint for success.
Profit First: Transform Your Business From A Cash-Eating Monster To A Money-Making Machine – Mike Michalowicz
Traditional accounting methods typically prioritise revenue and expenses first, leaving profit as an afterthought. But, in his groundbreaking book for entrepreneurs, Michael Michalowicz flips this model, advocating for a cash flow strategy that guarantees businesses are profitable from day one.
The Profit Fit system follows a simple yet powerful formula: Revenue – Profit = Expenses. By allocating profit first and managing expenses with what’s left over, entrepreneurs can learn to increase their financial discipline, reduce waste and build a sustainable business. Profit First is a book packed full of practical strategies, case studies and step-by-step guides on managing cash flow, growing a business and avoiding the most common financial pitfalls.
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Zero To One: Notes On Startups, Or How To Build The Future – Peter Thiel
In Zero to One, Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, argues that most successful startups don’t compete in crowded industries, but instead construct entirely new markets – going from ‘zero to one’ rather than improving on existing ideas.
Zero to One explores how to develop groundbreaking business ideas, build monopoly-like advantages and craft long-term strategies for success. Thiel emphasises innovation, differentiation and scalability, demonstrating the significance of of strong company culture, visionary leadership and bold decision-making in achieving business success. Perfect for new entrepreneurs, startup founders and small business owners, Zero to One is essential reading for learning how to build a company from scratch and achieve real success doing so.
The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building A Business When There Are No Easy Answers – Ben Horowitz
The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz is a must-read how-to book for aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders who want real-world insights into building and scaling a company. Utilising his expertise as a Silicon Valley CEO and investor, Horowitz provides a raw and unfiltered look at the challenges of operating a business, from navigating crises to making tough leadership calls.
Unlike more traditional business books for beginners, this book doesn’t offer simple formulas for success. Instead, Horowitz shares practical business strategies for handling layoffs, managing rapid growth, leading through uncertain times and making high-stakes choices. He also emphasises the significance of resilience, adaptability and the crucial leadership skills that make successful entrepreneurs, startup founders and business owners.
The $100 Startup: Reinvent The Way You Make A Living, Do What You Love, And Create A New Future – Chris Guillebeau
Chris Guillebeau’s The $100 Startup is a book for entrepreneurs that challenges the idea that launching a business requires a large investment, instead showcasing how anyone can turn their skills, passions or side hustle into a successful venture – often with as little as $100.
Guillebeau shares case studies of real people who built financially successful businesses without any outside funding, fancy degrees or corporate experience. He provides a step-by-step business strategy for identifying profitable ideas, attracting customers and scaling a business upward all while maintaining financial freedom and a healthy work-life balance.
Financial Intelligence For Entrepreneurs: What You Really Need To Know About The Numbers – Karen Berman And Joe Knight
Financial Intelligence for Entrepreneurs simplifies the often complex world of business finance, making it an accessible read for non-financial entrepreneurs looking to master the economics of running a business. Karen Berman and Joe Knight provide a clear, step-by-step guide to understanding financial statements, key metrics and how to use financial data to make more informed business decisions.
The authors break down significant concepts such as cash flow, profit margins, and balance sheets, demonstrating to entrepreneurs how to interpret financial reports and manage their finances more effectively. They also explain how to spot red flags in financial statements, how to plan for sustainable growth and the role financial intelligence plays in achieving business goals. Perfect for business owners, startup founders and freelancers, Financial Intelligence for Entrepreneurs is a business book for beginners who want to gain confidence in the decisions they make each and every working day.
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Company Of One: Why Staying Small Is The Next Big Thing For Business – Paul Jarvis
Paul Jarvis’ Company of One is another game-changing book for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to build a successful small business without the pressure of having to scale. Jarvis takes aim at the typical notion that business growth equals success, offering an alternative philosophy that emphasises maintaining a lean, sustainable and profitable business that prioritises freedom over expansion.
Company of One explores how entrepreneurs can create businesses that focus on quality over quantity, providing practical advice on how to generate revenue, create meaningful work and grow without the need to sacrifice time or well-being. Jarvis provides actionable strategies for managing cash flow, working smarter and building customer loyalty – without needed an army’s worth of help or burning yourself out through constant hustling.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
