“Books are the training weights of the mind.” — Epictetus
That quote hits hard when you’re building something from scratch.
When I first started my entrepreneurial journey, I had zero experience, zero mentors, and about zero clue what I was doing. But I had books. And those books became my coaches, my consultants, and honestly, my secret weapons.
So in this post, I’m sharing the best books for entrepreneur types—especially if you’re just starting out or hitting a wall. These aren’t just trendy business books. These are the ones that genuinely helped me shift my mindset, scale smarter, and stay sane.
Let’s dive in on some of the best books for entrepreneur out there!
1. Atomic Habits by James Clear
This was the first book that taught me how small, consistent actions could lead to big change. Clear breaks down behavior change in a way that’s actually doable. I applied his “1% better every day” idea to everything from my email list to product development.
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2. The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau
When I had more ideas than money, this book gave me hope. It’s full of real-world case studies of people who launched businesses with very little capital.
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3. Start with Why by Simon Sinek
If you’re struggling to define your brand or connect with customers, read this. It helped me create a purpose-driven business that attracts the right audience.
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4. The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
A must-read for anyone launching a product. Ries teaches how to test, iterate, and grow without wasting time or money. It changed how I build and launch everything.
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5. Deep Work by Cal Newport
I used to glorify being “busy.” This book taught me to value focus. I now structure my days around deep work sessions, and my productivity skyrocketed.
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6. The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber
This one really hit me. Gerber explains why most small businesses fail—not because of bad ideas, but bad systems. I implemented his advice and finally stepped out of the daily grind of my business.
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7. Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon
If you’re building a brand or creating content, this is gold. It made me realize people don’t just buy what you sell—they buy how you do it.
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8. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
This book completely reframed how I view money and assets. A foundational read for any entrepreneur trying to create lasting wealth.
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9. The One Thing by Gary Keller
When I was overwhelmed with too many to-do lists, this helped me focus. I learned how to prioritize what really moves the needle.
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10. The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
A classic, but still powerful. It’s not about working four hours a week (yet), but about building systems that give you freedom.
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11. You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero
Part money mindset, part motivational kick. This helped me break through my own mental blocks around charging what I’m worth.
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12. Rework by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson
This book goes against the grain—in the best way. It challenged a lot of traditional business advice and gave me permission to do things my way.
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13. Company of One by Paul Jarvis
If you’re not trying to build a giant team, this is for you. It celebrates the idea that staying small can actually be the smartest strategy.
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14. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
An oldie, but still full of timeless lessons. I revisit this whenever I feel stuck or uninspired.
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15. Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss
This one’s like getting mentorship from 100+ top performers. I dip into it whenever I need quick insight or inspiration.
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Final Thoughts
The truth is, entrepreneurship can feel lonely. But books? They’ve always been my go-to guides. These are the best books for entrepreneur minds like mine—curious, scrappy, and hungry to grow.
So whether you’re stuck on your next step or just getting started, I hope these titles spark something in you like they did for me.
And if you’re into audio (I totally am), grab the Audible versions and listen while you walk, clean, or commute.
Here’s to leveling up with these best books for entrepreneur—one page at a time.
