As a small business owner, I'm constantly learning. (Chances are, I always will be!) One of my favorite ways to educate myself on running a business, managing my money, and improving myself is through books.
By reading about other business owners' struggles and successes, we can better understand why we make our own business decisions. These are my top five books for small business owners, all of which have been major motivators in my big money moves.
My Favorite Books for Small Business Owners
This is one of those books that's so jam-packed with good information that you'll need to read it a few times to catch everything. Seriously, every tip and strategy in here is golden!
Burchard breaks down the habits and routines of the world's high-performers (athletes, CEOs, and celebrities) and shows you how to use their habits in your own life. Instead of telling you to cram as much productivity as you can into each and every day, he shows you how to prioritize the most important tasks and get those done first. It's a much more sustainable system.
This book has changed how I organize my daily and weekly to-do lists and helped me ditch a lot of work stress. Instead of trying to accomplish everything in a day, I focus on the important stuff. The rest can wait until tomorrow. If you struggle with work stress or general productivity, I can't recommend this one highly enough!
You've heard of S.M.A.R.T. goals, but have you heard of S.M.A.R.T.E.R. goals? In this book, Hyatt introduces you to the concept of these goals - goals which are Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Risky, Time-Keyed, Exciting, and Relevant. Then, he teaches you how to make and reach these goals in all areas of your life.
My tip for reading this book: Keep a notepad handy! While I was reading, I kept interrupting myself to jot down notes and set new goals. It really inspired me to take action, both in my business and in my personal life. If you have a hard time sticking to and reaching goals, this is definitely the book for you. 10/10!
I wouldn't call myself a #bossbabe, but this book gave me major female empowerment vibes! Rodgers explains the differences between how men and women are taught about money. She breaks down the ways our education system and advertising teach women to look for deals, budget constantly, and spend as little as possible - all while subjecting us to lower salaries and fewer avenues to land high-paying jobs. This book will help you break through those money mindset blocks that have prevented you from making as much money as you want to.
I'm always preaching about remembering your "why," and this book is to thank for that! Sinek explains that your "why" (the reason you started your business and continue to work so hard at it) isn't just a cutesy journal prompt. It can actually be a game-changer for the success of your business.
If you don't read the book, at least watch Sinek's TedTalk on the topic. It will totally change the way you think about your business.
With a dismal tagline like, "Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It," it might be tempting to skip this one. Don't let it scare you! While the original book covers all businesses, Revisited digs deep into why small businesses fail, what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur (hence the E), and how to avoid the unfortunate end that so many small business owners meet.
I especially love the way this book addresses personality types. Everyone is different, so everyone is going to run their business differently. Gerber walks you through how to use your personality to serve your business best and avoid mindset blocks.
What are your favorite resources for learning about business?
I'd love to hear about all your favorite books, podcasts, and blogs! Shoot me a message over on Instagram, and let's share recommendations!
And if you're looking for a great resource for learning how to manage your business finances, you're in luck! Head over to my resources page for a free Cash Flow Management Guide.
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