10 Books Every Entrepreneur Should Read

Contents · 11 sections

1. 10 books every entrepreneur should read
2. “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki
3. “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by…
4. “The 4-Hour Workweek” by Tim Ferriss
5. “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries
6. “The $100 Startup” by Chris Guillebeau
7. “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill
8. “The Richest Man in Babylon” by George Samuel…
9. “Zero to One” by Peter Thiel
10. “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by…
11. “Tools of Titans” by Tim Ferriss

10 books every entrepreneur should read

Inspiration is everywhere. Personally, I love finding it in the words and stories of successful people who share what they’ve learned. I think it’s especially important to hold on to that inspiration, because it gives us the strength to keep growing and to get a little better every day. We all have the same 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. What sets us apart isn’t time. It’s the energy we put into our work and into growing every day.

Below are 10 inspiring books I believe every entrepreneur should read. They offer the guidance and fresh perspective we need to take real steps toward financial independence and personal growth.

1. “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki

One of the best-known books on business and financial literacy. Some may call it a cliché, but for me it’s an excellent foundation to build your knowledge and experience on. Kiyosaki explains how our upbringing shapes our lives, how we can improve them through effort and learning, and why we should focus on building assets instead of piling up liabilities. An absolute must!

2. “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey

One of the most inspiring books I’ve ever read. It lays out 7 habits that set successful people apart from the crowd. Through its steps, tips and guidance, you learn to use change to your advantage instead of fearing it, and to create your own opportunities instead of burning bridges behind you. It teaches you to look ahead and follow your own vision, while acting now and being proactive.

3. “The 4-Hour Workweek” by Tim Ferriss

Often called “the book that changes lives,” it’s essential reading for anyone who wants to see the world differently. It made a splash the moment it came out. Ferriss argues that real wealth today isn’t money but control over your own time. To be free, you don’t need a fortune or the perfect job. You need to free your mind and believe that everything you want is achievable. In the digital age, you no longer have to sit in an office from 9 to 5, “stuck” at work. You can focus on becoming more productive instead, and improve your life outside the office as a result.

4. “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries

It shows the shortest path from idea to product or service. Ries lays out the 5 core principles of the lean startup, a concept that grew out of his own writing. The lean startup is an approach that lets new businesses shape their products and services around what customers actually need, without wasteful spending or big upfront funding. The book also explains why most new businesses fail and how to avoid that fate. A must-read for anyone running their own business. You won’t regret it!

5. “The $100 Startup” by Chris Guillebeau

Guillebeau is just over 30 and has already been to almost every country in the world. He has never had a “real job,” yet he has found a clever way to make a living and live on his own terms. That’s exactly what his book teaches: how to live life to the fullest and be your own boss. Work takes up a huge part of our lives, so it shouldn’t feel like a duty. It should be a pleasure.

6. “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill

Every new entrepreneur simply has to read this one! Since it came out in 1937, it has been hailed as “one of the greatest and most inspiring books in the world.” Personally, it helped me understand that everything I’ve ever wanted, whether wealth, happiness or recognition, is within arm’s reach. And it’s entirely up to me how far I reach.

7. “The Richest Man in Babylon” by George Samuel Clason

It offers remarkably “simple,” accessible ideas that ring deeply true. Its tales from ancient Babylon and the rules they teach are universal and practical, which is why they’re still valid and relevant today. The book shows how knowledge, expertise and smart spending can lead to success. Desire, willpower and persistence are the foundation people have relied on since the beginning of time.

8. “Zero to One” by Peter Thiel

Essential for every entrepreneur. It covers the qualities a true entrepreneur needs and how to use them to succeed. Thiel cofounded PayPal and was one of the first investors in Facebook and LinkedIn. He argues that competition is for losers and that you should aim to build a monopoly in your field. But what really sets this book apart is how fired up you feel after reading it!

9. “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie

Nothing I write about this book ever feels like enough. It’s Dale Carnegie. Need I say more? One of the most famous teachers of human relations and public speaking left us a priceless store of wisdom and inspiration. I highly recommend taking notes, because it’s packed with valuable tips and tricks. The world belongs to those who master the secrets of communication.

10. “Tools of Titans” by Tim Ferriss

The latest book from the great Tim Ferriss (and his second on my list). Clearly I’m a big fan, right? This book really gets under your skin and changes your perspective. The tactics, “tools” and advice he shares in these pages are priceless. He collected them over years from hundreds of inspiring people, and you won’t find them anywhere else in one place.

BONUS: I’d also like to introduce my favorite app lately, Blinkist. The idea is simple: you can listen to or read book summaries (or flag the books you’d like to read or listen to) while you drive, cook or browse the web. It helps me broaden my general knowledge and learn much more, much faster, without setting aside special time for it. (Most of all, it lets me make good use of the hours I spend on the road, and lately there have been a lot of them.)

Those are my 10 favorite books, the ones I believe every educated person building a business should read. But no matter how many books on entrepreneurship we read, we can’t build a successful business until we take the first step. Here and now.

I’d love to hear your favorites, too: the books that inspire you and push you to keep growing.