7 Must-Read Books For Aspiring Entrepreneurs

I truly believe that reading is an absolute must for any aspiring entrepreneur. In my experience, successful business owners are constantly learning and seeking out new information. One of the best ways to do that is through reading. By staying informed and up-to-date on the latest trends, strategies, and techniques, you can gain valuable insights and knowledge. As a result, you can stay ahead of the competition and achieve your goals.

In this post, I share 7 must-read books every entrepreneur should read in 2023. Each of these books provides practical advice and insights for finding a sense of purpose, overcoming obstacles, and developing a growth mindset. By reading these books, readers can learn how to work toward achieving their goals and build more successful businesses.

“Read 500 pages like this every day. That’s how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest. All of you can do it, but I guarantee not many of you will do it.” – Warren Buffet

#1 Start With Why By Simon Sinek

In this book, Sinek shares his insights on the power of purpose and inspiration in business and leadership. He argues that great leaders and successful organizations start with a clear sense of why they exist and what their purpose is. Doing so can create a sense of passion and motivation that drives them forward and inspires others to follow.

Sinek offers numerous examples of successful companies and leaders who have put the “why” at the center of their operations. From Apple to Southwest Airlines, these organizations have built a loyal following by communicating their sense of purpose and inspiring others to join them.

Why Should You Read This Book?

One of the most valuable aspects of the book is the practical advice and exercises that Sinek provides readers. He encourages readers to identify their own sense of purpose and to communicate it effectively to others. By doing so, readers can create a clear and compelling vision for their own businesses or personal lives.

#2 True North By Bill George And Peter Sims

“True North” by Bill George and Peter Sims is a book that provides a roadmap for finding your true purpose in life and leadership. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to develop their leadership skills and create a fulfilling life and career.

The authors argue that the key to authentic leadership is finding your “true north,” which is the inner compass that guides you toward your most deeply held values and beliefs. By aligning your values and leadership style, you can create a sense of purpose and fulfillment that will drive you forward and inspire others to follow.

The book is filled with examples of successful leaders who have found their true north, including Howard Schultz of Starbucks and Anne Mulcahy of Xerox. These leaders have built successful businesses by staying true to their values and using them to guide their decisions and actions.

Why Should You Read This Book?

One of the most valuable aspects of the book is the practical advice and exercises that the authors provide for readers. They encourage readers to reflect on their own values and beliefs and develop a personal leadership plan aligned with their true north.

#3 The Lean Startup By Eric Ries

“The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries is a must-read for any entrepreneur or business owner who wants to create a successful and more sustainable business. As an entrepreneur and business coach, I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to develop their skills and grow their business smartly and efficiently.

The book introduces the concept of the “lean startup,” which is a method for creating and growing businesses that emphasizes continuous improvement and customer feedback. The approach focuses on creating a minimum viable product (MVP) and using customer feedback to guide product or service development.

Ries provides practical advice and examples throughout the book, drawing on his own experience as a startup founder and entrepreneur. He also provides tools and frameworks readers can use to implement the lean startup method in their businesses.

Why Should You Read This Book?

One of the most valuable aspects of the book is the emphasis on experimentation and learning. Ries encourages entrepreneurs to embrace failure and to use it as an opportunity to learn and improve. By doing so, entrepreneurs can create a more sustainable and successful business aligned with their customers’ needs and desires.

#4 Crushing It! By Gary Vaynerchuk

“Crushing It!” by Gary Vaynerchuk is a book that provides a roadmap for building a successful personal brand and business in the digital age. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to build a strong online presence and grow their business through social media.

The book provides several examples of successful entrepreneurs who have used social media to build a loyal following and grow their businesses. Vaynerchuk provides practical advice and strategies for using social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to create a strong personal brand and connect with potential customers.

One of the most valuable aspects of the book is the emphasis on authenticity and providing value to your audience. Vaynerchuk argues that successful personal brands are built on a foundation of authenticity and a willingness to provide value to others. By doing so, entrepreneurs can create a loyal following and build a strong reputation online.

Why Should You Read This Book?

The book also provides practical advice and strategies for monetizing your personal brand and turning your passion into a potentially profitable business. Vaynerchuk shares his experiences and insights on building a successful business and provides examples of other successful entrepreneurs who have monetized their personal brands.

#5 The Obstacle Is The Way By Ryan Holiday

“The Obstacle is the Way” by Ryan Holiday is a book that provides a fresh perspective on dealing with adversity and challenges. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to develop resilience and a growth mindset in the face of obstacles.

The book draws on the ancient philosophy of Stoicism and provides practical advice and strategies for turning obstacles into opportunities. Holiday argues that our perception of obstacles determines our response to them and that by shifting our perspective, we can find ways to overcome challenges and grow as individuals.

The book is filled with examples of successful individuals who have used the principles of Stoicism to overcome challenges and achieve their goals, including Thomas Edison, Amelia Earhart, and Steve Jobs. By sharing these stories, Holiday provides inspiration and guidance for readers facing obstacles and challenges.

Why Should You Read This Book?

One of the most valuable aspects of the book is the practical advice and exercises that Holiday provides readers. He encourages readers to reflect on their own obstacles and to develop a plan for overcoming them. By doing so, readers can begin to develop the resilience and mental toughness they need to succeed personally and professionally.

#6 Mindset: The New Psychology Of Success By Carol S. Dweck

“Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol S. Dweck is a groundbreaking book introducing the concept of mindset and its impact on success. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to develop a growth mindset and achieve greater success in their personal and professional lives.

Dweck’s book is based on years of research and provides practical advice and strategies for developing a growth mindset. She argues that individuals with a growth mindset believe they can develop abilities through hard work and dedication. In contrast, those with a fixed mindset believe their abilities are predetermined and cannot be changed.

The book contains many examples of successful individuals who have developed a growth mindset and achieved great success in their personal and professional lives, including athletes, artists, and business leaders. By sharing these stories, Dweck provides inspiration and guidance for readers who want to develop a growth mindset and achieve their goals.

Why Should You Read This Book?

One of the most valuable aspects of the book is the practical advice and strategies that Dweck provides readers. She encourages readers to embrace challenges and to view failure as an opportunity for growth and learning. By doing so, readers can learn to develop the resilience and perseverance they need to succeed.

#7 Unlock Your Potential By Jeff Lerner

I wrote “Unlock Your Potential” as a guide for people who want to build a more fulfilling life through the vehicle of entrepreneurship. My goal for this book is to be a resource for those wanting to gain insight into creating their dream lives in the modern world.

The beginning of the book shares my journey of how I went from being a high school dropout at 16 to becoming a jazz musician in my 20s to generating over 100 million dollars as an entrepreneur.

The book also highlights various principles I’ve used to create my version of a dream life. These practical principles aim to teach you how to build long-lasting habits that will push you closer to your overall goals. I teach these same principles to my students at ENTRE Institute so they can learn the skills to create their own versions of life success.

Finally, the latter half of the book focuses on generating income and creating what I call “digital real estate,” or online assets. This section also touches on building true wealth, not simply making money. In addition, I talk about creating value as a means to build true wealth versus doing work.

Why Should You Read This Book?

One of the most valuable aspects of this book is its focus on one’s physical, personal, and professional development. I explain that entrepreneurship is more than just starting a business and trying to make money. Entrepreneurship is about becoming the best version of yourself by strengthening your physical, personal, and professional development. These three developmental areas serve as the foundation for starting a business that embodies your skills, values, and goals.