7 Books Every Aspiring Entrepreneur Should Read

Going from an aspiring entrepreneur to being a full-fledged business owner requires a great deal of strength, determination and often a little motivation as well. For aspiring entrepreneurs out there that are thinking about making the leap into this difficult market, one of the best things to do in order to prepare for your foray into this world is to start reading. If you are looking to get started with a few “must-read” titles, here are seven of our favorite books that we believe every entrepreneur should have on their shelf.

Trust me, I wish I had these books from the start. I used to think that entrepreneurship was all about making money and having nice things but boy I was wrong. 

 1.     Like a Virgin: Secrets They Won’t Teach You at Business School by Richard Branson

This is a great book for aspiring entrepreneurs because it isn’t just informative but it’s also highly entertaining. Coming from the creative mind of one of the most unique entrepreneurs in history, Branson’s book is focused on helping young, aspiring entrepreneurs that are fresh out of business school and ready to make it in the real world. In addition to being filled with Branson’s unique charm, he also uses a number of case studies and detailed success strategies to round out this highly informative book.

 2.     The Art of the Start: The Time Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything by Guy Kawasaki

This book was created by one of Apple’s former marketing executives and it is filled with detailed information on how to find success even in the most challenging of markets. Kawasaki covers everything from giving a memorable presentation to taking that often terrifying plunge to actually start your business. The result is a highly motivational book that gives readers a straightforward approach in how to find success.

 3.     Hustle: The Power to Change Your Life With Money, Meaning and Momentum by Neil Patel, Patrick Vlaskovits and Jonas Koffler

For aspiring entrepreneurs who need that little extra boost to get going, there is the book Hustle. This title was actually written by three established entrepreneurs and consultants and together they deliver a unique perspective on how you can change your life and work hard to create your own luck. For entrepreneurs who are just starting out, the book also features four major career “hustles” to help readers find the path that works best for them.

 4.     The Fire Starter Sessions by Danielle LaPorte

If you are looking to light a fire under yourself and to finally take the plunge with starting your own business, then this is the book that you need to pick up. Designed with motivation in mind, Fire Starter aims to help people get started on their next project and diving in full force. This book isn’t just about attacking a new endeavor with vigor either, it is about motivating people to do what they love.

 5.     Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill

This classic work from Napolean Hill is pretty self-explanatory, but it is a great read for entrepreneurs that are just starting out. While it is decades old, the lessons in this book are still very valuable today. They can help you start thinking like an entrepreneur and thinking like someone who is going to be making a lot of money so that you can start growing both in your personal and professional endeavors.

 6.     The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You make a Living, Do What You Love and Create a New Future by Chris Guillebeau

If the title of this book doesn’t scream aspiring entrepreneur, then not many titles will. This book is all about earning a living for yourself without spending a lot of money in order to do it. The author Chris Guillebeau talks about his own abilities to turn his passions into professional pursuits and to actually make a good living doing something that you love. 

7.     Small Time Operator: 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 Operator is the perfect book for an entrepreneur about to start their own business for the first time. As the title states, this book is all about teaching you the right way to handle all of those intricacies of running a business, while staying on-task, out of the ‘red’ and out of trouble. 

Making the jump into the world of entrepreneurship is no easy undertaking. The good news is, by reading books like this, any aspiring entrepreneur can get that little extra boost and that valuable extra insight that they need to take the plunge. These are some of the titles we believe every entrepreneur has to read. What books do you think should be on the list?