24 Books Every Entrepreneur Should Read In 2023

24 Books Every Entrepreneur Should Read In 2023

Losing My Virginity

Richard Branson

Losing My Virginity - Richard Branson


We all know who Richard Branson is and that his success is nothing but extraordinary. He’s known for taking huge risks and breaking away from established norms, and this autobiography which spans over 40 years of his life, we can learn what made his brain tick.

While the book was originally published in 1998, the act of studying successful entrepreneurs is essential for those who have ambitions of reaching the very top of their field. Who better to learn from, than the man who has become a powerhouse of business across the planet.


Perennial Seller

Ryan Holiday

Perennial Seller - Ryan Holiday


Here we have another incredibly successful college dropout. This book is not only one of the best books for entrepreneurs but anyone looking to add value to their work. Holiday’s insights look into the importance of finding your niche, creating the best products possible and the value of ‘word of mouth’ marketing.

Not only is Holiday an incredible businessman, but he also leads the charge in increasing the mainstream popularity of Stoicism, an ancient Greek philosophy based on personal ethics.


Dare To Lead

Brene Brown

Dare To Lead - Brene Brown


Brene Brown created one of the best books for all entrepreneurs looking to develop their ability to lead. Leading and managing are one of the toughest challenges we face in industry but Brown highlights the fundamentals of a successful leader.

Courage, vulnerability, having clear values, and my personal favourite, accountability, are traits of all entrepreneurs looking to own their game and encourage others to follow them in harmony.



The 4 Hour Work Week

Tim Ferriss

The 4 Hour Work Week - Tim Ferriss


A famous book amongst the entrepreneurial world. This book outlines the process in which we can live like millionaires, without having to be millionaires.

Sounds intriguing right? Well, it’s not so simple. Ferriss clearly states that not everyone will be able to follow the steps provided in this book. But for those willing to read with open-mindedness and without naivety, you can transform your life from 80hr weeks to 4hr weeks.

The importance of understanding the difference between relative income vs absolute income is one of the main takeaways from this book, as well as Ferriss’ take on outsourcing work and increasing productivity. Not only is this up there with the best books for entrepreneurs but also those looking just starting in the world of business.


‘Doing something unimportant well does not make it important’



Shoe Dog

Phil Knight

Shoe Dog - Phil Knight.


A memoir by the founder of Nike, and a book the renowned Bill Gates named one of his favourite 5 books of 2016. This book offers incredible insight into how major companies come to fruition, as well as captivating stories of Knight’s life.

It’s almost impossible to read this book without learning the importance of building an amazing team around you, taking risks, and persistence to succeed. These 3 points are arguably the most important traits for all entrepreneurs.


Think and Grow Rich

Napoleon Hill

Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill


A truly inspiring book and one of my personal favourites. Not only does this book provide 13 key principles to success, but these principles can be used towards any achievement you may wish to make. When using the word ‘rich’, it is clear that Hill is not speaking purely from a monetary point of view, but also a spiritual one.

Anyone, not just entrepreneurs, will learn the value of persistence, faith, and desire in the pursuit of your life goals. These are just a few of the 13 principles that are conveyed with passion and belief that this book is truly a gift to all that read it.

If you are ready to take action for the outcomes of your life, whether that be spiritual, financial, or homely, this is the book for you.


‘Both poverty and riches are the offspring of thought’



The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Stephen R. Covey

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen R. Covey


With over 40 million copies sold worldwide, this bestseller has changed the lives countless people spanning from entrepreneurs, to CEOs to stay at home parents.

The habits that guide you through the process of dependence, to independence and then on to interdependence provide every reader with invaluable information on how to build their success. From understanding the importance of paradigm shifts in the mind to the importance of synergy and a win/win mindset, Covey clearly shows us the way to not only understand ourselves better but also those around us.

Being recently revised by Covey’s son, this updated edition is easily one of the best entrepreneur books of 2020, if not up there as a great of the last 4 decades.


Disciplined Entrepreneurship

Bill Aulet

Disciplined Entrepreneurship - Bill Aulet


Going back towards the more business side of things, this book is for entrepreneurs looking to create the best possible start-up. Aulet specifies that the idea of your business is never as important as the process, which is laid out in 24 steps.

The 24 step process given to us helps us understand that there isn’t one tool that will create a successful business, but it will help us identify what tool to use and when to use it. Examples of these steps include market segmentation, pricing frameworks and developing a product plan.


Choose Yourself

James Altucher

Choose Yourself - James Altucher


A key takeaway from this book is the 1% rule, the idea that every day you can improve yourself, or your business by 1%. Altucher points out this simple but very effective method of self-development and growth, allowing us to become 36% better every year.

Not only does Altucher go into great detail about the techniques used to influence customers and unorthodox ways of changing your life, but he also breaks down the psychology of Eminem’s famous rap battle against Papa doc in the film 8 Mile. He identifies the use of humour bias, availability bias and the scarcity principle. A must-read for entrepreneurs focused on self-development and influencing others.


Rework

Jason Fried & David Heinemeier

Rework - Jason Fried & David Heinemeier


Offering a refreshing insight into business, Fried and Heinemeier encourage people who don’t necessarily self identify as entrepreneurs to create a small, profitable business to supplement their main income.

The book highlights a key mantra that can be used to create a successful business ‘Solve your problems with less, then pick a fight’. The point is to create a product that saves your own problem rather than someone else’s, and do it with less than ‘you think you need’. Once you’ve done that, pick a fight with an already existing company, and pride yourself on being the opposite of that company.


Purple Cow

Seth Godin

Purple Cow - Seth Godin


It’s fair to say that Seth Godin needs no introduction, except maybe that he has written 19 international bestsellers. The Purple Cow describes the value in standing out by not fitting in. Creating original and different products and using unorthodox methods of marketing are key takeaways. When it comes to marketing, who better to listen to than Godin himself.

Being able to risk criticism is key to being remarkable. We cannot please everybody, and that should be remembered by all entrepreneurs. If you have not read any of Godin’s books then this is a fantastic place to start. Godin is easily one of the most influential authors of the 21st century when it comes to entrepreneur books.


To Sell Is Human

Daniel Pink

To Sell Is Human - Daniel Pink


Daniel Pink explains that selling is a fundamental skill in human society. This isn’t solely focused on selling a product, it also relates to the persuading other to take action. This could be to share a Facebook post, or to read one of these best entrepreneurial books of all time!

Pink describes key skills such as attunement and clarity, providing you with information that has the power to change your entire perspective on persuasion and selling.

A crucial book for entrepreneurs looking to enhance their influence and sales ability.


Buy Then Build

Walker Deibel

Buy Then Build - Walker Deibel


This takes a whole new look on how we generally see entrepreneurship. Instead of following the trend that's starting our own businesses, why not buy an already existing business.

With Baby Boomers retiring at a rate of 10,000 every 24 hours, the business world is leaning towards a buyers market more and more each day. Many of these businesses were built when Baby Boomers were young and hungry for success, but we now have one thing that they didn’t have… Online Marketing! This is a great way to add value to already existing companies and skip the difficult and taxing process of starting a business.

This is an essential book for entrepreneurs looking to take big risks with their capital for a huge profit!


Brave, Not Perfect

Reshma Saujani

Brave, Not Perfect - Reshma Saujani


An inspiring read with a focus on society’s tendencies to protect women from failure, which in turn, impedes their growth. That does not mean it is a book for women, anyone and everyone should read this book to gain a clearer perspective of how women are treated and often underestimated in not only business but the arts sector.

Finding the bravery to give up the idea of perfection and aim for progress and success is something we all struggle with, but society, as it stands, makes it harder for women. This is something we should all be aware of. If you are an entrepreneur looking to understand business and societal culture, I highly recommend this book.


Alchemy

Rory Sutherland

Alchemy - Rory Sutherland


Advertising legend and Ted speaker Rory Sutherland explains the best way to solve problems with creativity, come up with great ideas and impact our environment, is to let go of all logic.

Sutherland says that creativity is killed by playing it safe. By daring to be irrational, and exploring what is typically thought of as a ‘bad idea’, you may just find your million-dollar ticket.

So how can we let go of logic? How can we allow accidents to be the birth of great ideas? Rory Sutherland has the answers for all entrepreneurs looking for an unconventional path into the industry.


Atomic Habits

James Clear

Atomic Habits - James Clear


James Clear specifies the 4 main laws that need to be taken into account when developing new habits: Obvious, Easy, Attractive, Satisfying. A huge book within the self-development world, and quite often, self-development and entrepreneurship overlap.

Creating healthy habits that increase our wellbeing and productivity are key for successful entrepreneurship. Not only making new habits but also being aware of any bad habits that might be affecting your daily life.

Clear specifies that habits are automated behaviours that give satisfying results. With this in mind, Clear’s book will be beneficial to all those looking to find a more efficient and effective way of going about their daily life, in both business and personal respects.


Book Of Branding

By Radim Malinic

Book of Branding is an essential addition to the start-up toolkit, designed for entrepreneurs, founders, visual designers, brand creators and anyone seeking to decode the complicated world of brand identity.

The conversational, jargon-free, tone of the book helps the reader to understand the essential elements of the brand identity process. Offering first-hand experience, insights and tips throughout, the book uses real-life case studies to show how great collaborative work can be achieved.


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Building A Story Brand

By Donald Miller

Building a StoryBrand teaches readers the seven universal story points all humans respond to; the real reason customers make purchases; how to simplify a brand message so people understand it; and how to create the most effective messaging for websites, brochures, and social media.

Whether you are the marketing director of a multibillion-dollar company, the owner of a small business, a politician running for office, or the lead singer of a rock band, Building a StoryBrand will forever transform the way you talk about who you are, what you do, and the unique value you bring to your customers.

Building a Story Brand - Book Review - Artful Ruckus

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The Brand Gap

By Marty Neumeier

The brand gap is the first book to present a unified theory of brand-building. Whereas most books on branding are weighted toward either a strategic or creative approach, this book shows how both ways of thinking can unite to produce a “charismatic brand”—a brand that customers feel is essential to their lives. In an entertaining two-hour read.

The Brand Gap | Valiant Creative Agency

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Logo Modernism

By Jens Muller & Roger Remington

This incredible book brings together approximately 6,000 trademarks, focused on the period 1940-1980, to examine how modernist attitudes and imperatives gave birth to corporate identity. Ranging from media outfits to retail giants, airlines to art galleries, Including Geometric, Effect, and Typographic, and sorted into form and style such as the alphabet, overlay, dots and squares. Perfect for any designer, looking to advance their logo skills.

Logo Modernism by Jens Müller and Julius Wiedemann | by The Logo Creative™  ✏ | Medium


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Primal Branding

By Patrick Hanlon

In Primalbranding, Hanlon explores those seven components, known as the primal code, and shows how to use and combine them to create a community of believers in which the consumer develops a powerful emotional attachment to the brand. These techniques work for everyone involved in creating and selling an image, from marketing managers to social advocates to business leaders seeking to increase customer preference for new or existing products. Primalbranding presents a world of new possibilities for everyone trying to spark public appeal—and the opportunity to move from being just another product on the shelf to becoming a desired and necessary part of the culture.

Primal Branding: Create Zealots for Your Brand, Your Company, and Your  Future by Patrick Hanlon


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Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion

By Robert B Cialdini

In this  Best Seller, it explains the psychology of why people say yes and how to apply these principles ethically in business and everyday situations.

You’ll learn the six universal principles of influence and how to use them to become a skilled persuader—and, just as importantly, how to defend yourself against dishonest influence attempts:

Influence is a comprehensive guide to using these principles effectively to amplify your ability to change the behaviour of others.



Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion: Amazon.co.uk: Cialdini PhD, Robert  B: 8580001041766: Books


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This Is Marketing

By Seth Godin

Seth Godin has taught and inspired millions of entrepreneurs, marketers and leaders via his blog, online courses, lectures, and bestselling books.

Now, for the first time, Godin offers the core of his marketing wisdom in one compact, accessible, and timeless package.

This is Marketing shows you how to do work you’re proud of, whether you’re a tech startup founder, a small business owner, or an executive at a large corporation. Great marketers don’t use consumers to solve their company’s problem; they use marketing to solve other people’s problems. Their tactics rely on empathy, connection, and emotional labour instead of attention-stealing ads and spammy email funnels. When done right, marketing seeks to make a change in the world.



The secret to standing out in a saturated marketing world


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7 Strategies for Wealth & Happiness

By Jim Rohn

Power Ideas from America’s Foremost Business Philosopher. Gives advice on how to set goals, control one’s finances, change one’s habits, find wisdom, and improve one’s lifestyle.

7 Strategies For Wealth And Happiness: Power Ideas from America's Foremost  Business Philosopher: Amazon.co.uk: Rohn, Jim: 0086874506169: Books


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