5 Must-Read Books for the New Entrepreneur

When you’re justtt getting started with owning your own business (or maybe the idea is still just twinkling in your mind), there’s a TON of advice and recommendations out there on the internet and beyond for you to consume.

And don’t get me wrong — the consumption phase can be fun! Especially if you love learning.

But eventually, you’ll want to narrow in on the actionable, impactful advice and tips that make sense for you in your business right now.

I made a list of five of my favorite books for new entrepreneurs to give you a head start with some seriously valuable guidance in the early days.

(And to be honest, all of these books have been read and reread over here due to their ongoing impact on my own business, over seven years in!)

*Adds all to cart*

Let’s dive in: five must-read books for the new entrepreneur…

01. Your Move: The Underdog’s Guide to Building Your Business

by Ramit Sethi

If you’re looking for a to-the-point book on ethical, value-driven business strategies — this one’s for you. An easy read that’s PACKED with great info for all stages of business, Sethi’s “Your Move” is easily in my top five these days, thanks to the actionable, ready-to-implement ideas he shares from start to finish. 

(I can always tell a book is GOOD by how much I highlight throughout… and I’ll just say that this one was super colorful by the time I made it to the end.)

A favorite takeaway:
“Be different to be better. Don’t be different for the sake of being different.”

02. The 1-Page Marketing Plan

by Allan Dib

Whether you’re brand new to the world of entrepreneurship or are just looking to refine your marketing strategies, Dib’s “The 1-Page Marketing Plan” is an actionable, easy-to-follow guide on pretty much everything you need to know to get started with marketing your business.

Even as someone who studied marketing in school, this book was massively helpful with bringing more clarity and intention to my marketing strategies.

This will be yet another golden gem in your business library full of highlighted notes and bookmarked pages you’ll continue to reference throughout your entrepreneurship journey.

A favorite takeaway:
“One is the most dangerous number in your business.” By this he means, always have more than one strategies, sources of new leads, streams of income, etc. to ensure a stronger foundation for your business.

03. The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It

by Michael E. Gerber

This is one I read EARLY on in my business journey — and then reread, because it was so good. 

It’s a classic book that’s been around for over 20 years, but the lessons and strategies taught throughout stand the test of time and are still super applicable today, no matter what kind of business you have.

He does use a ton of analogies, metaphors, and stories to help illustrate his points (which, for me, made the lessons even more memorable and easy to recall), but the pages are still packed with value and big-picture lessons you’ll be incorporating in your biz from day one.

A favorite takeaway:
The difference between working on your business vs. in your business.

04. You Are a Badass at Making Money

by Jen Sincero

If you’re looking for a little money mindset adjustment in a hard love kind of way — this is your book.

When you first step into entrepreneurship, it’s essential that you start to think about money in an entirely new way. Thinking small or with a lack mindset will only hold you back from your greatest potential in business. 

Sincero does a brilliant job telling it like it is (in a loving, big sis kind of way) so you can start to flip the script in your mind on what money means to you. This is one you’ll be jotting down quotes and notes from just to keep in front of you on the daily for constant reminders and inspiration to show up confidently in your business.

A favorite takeaway:
“You can have excuses or you can have success; you can’t have both.”

05. Rework

by Jason Fried + David Heinemeier Hansson

A collection of brilliant ideas for success in business, Rework is a must in your collection for entrepreneurs. Many of the ideas included are beyond the basic level of business advice — offering alternative, innovative ideas for growth, exposure, productivity, and more.

And like my preference with some of my previous picks, it’s a pretty straightforward, easy read; you can open it to any page to start reading and always walk away with a new idea for how to do something in your business, which I LOVE.

It’s packed with valuable nuggets and guidance, sure to keep you inspired throughout your entrepreneurial journey!

A favorite takeaway: 
“What you do is what matters, not what you think or say or plan.”

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Ready to take the next step in starting your business?

Here are five of my favorite FREE online resources to do just that.

With love + inspiration from our home to yours,
Jenna

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