5 Books Every Budding Entrepreneur Should Read
Written by
Dawn Allcot
Edited by
Maria Concepcion
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If you’re starting a business, you want to surround yourself with like-minded people and find mentors from whom you can learn. But not everyone has easy access to successful entrepreneurs. While you should definitely seek out people who can help you on your journey, you can also learn a lot through books.
From age-old classics that are now free in the public domain to bestselling memoirs, here are some books every budding entrepreneur should read.
Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill
Building wealth begins with the right mindset. That’s why anyone who wants to launch a business should start by reading the Napoleon Hill classic Think and Grow Rich. In the book, you’ll find 13 habits of the world’s wealthiest people, which are just as relevant today as when the book was published in 1937.
The Richest Man in Babylon – George S. Clason
Another short read that you’ll want to revisit every few years, if not annually, The Richest Man in Babylon shares the basics of investing and the universal laws of prosperity. Learn the six laws of wealth, including keeping more than what you earn and putting your money to work. These laws, published in 1926, still apply today, and you’ll hear the principles in this book shared and repeated by money experts like Jaspreet Singh. Â
Good to Great – Jim Collins
Jumping ahead to modern times, anyone thinking about starting a business should read Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… And Others Don’t by Jim Collins. In the book, Collins analyzes some of the world’s best companies, including Coca-Cola and Intel, to find out what sets them apart. If you’re just starting business, you can launch on the right foot by following the principles outlined in this book.
The Energy Bus – Jon Gordon
This international bestseller isn’t just for entrepreneurs; anyone can benefit from this tale of overcoming adversity and surrounding yourself with people who lift your energy. If you follow the philosophy of this book and make sure you get the right people on your bus as you build your business, you’ll increase your odds of success.
Believe IT – Jamie Kern Lima
Jamie Kern Lima, founder of IT Cosmetics and the first woman CEO for L’Oreal, has written two books detailing her entrepreneurial journey. Get started with Believe It: How to Go from Underestimated to Unstoppable, if you’d like a solid roadmap of how to get out of your way and accomplish all you were put on this earth to do.
Final Note
This list is just the start. Whether you have goals to make the Forbes billionaire’s list or you just want to start a company that will give you more freedom and flexibility to live on your terms, you’ll find the guidance you need in the books above. Â
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