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Essential Books for Business Owners
As a teacher and a business owner, I’m really into growing through learning. To grow, I’m always reading or listening to an audiobook on the go. And since you’re on this page, I’m guessing you like reading a bit as well. This page is an ongoing log of books and audiobooks that I have found to be awesome and useful in my journey of life and business ownership.
If you’re looking to create a well-rounded, successful experience while building and running your own business, you can’t go wrong with any of these.
Atomic Habits
by James Clear
Atomic Habits is a practical and actionable guide to creating and maintaining positive habits that can transform your life.
The author offers a clear and concise framework for making positive changes by breaking down the process of habit formation into four simple steps: cue, craving, response, and reward.
By focusing on small, incremental improvements, you can achieve significant transformations in your life over time.
Clear also provides strategies for overcoming common obstacles to habit development and building a supportive environment that fosters success. With its practical advice and relatable examples, Atomic Habits is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their habits and lead a more fulfilling life.
This book comes with downloadable resources to help you take action.
Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine
by Mike Michalowicz
Profit First is a financial guide that helps businesses prioritize profit by implementing a simple, yet effective cash management system. The book presents the Profit First Formula, which encourages entrepreneurs to change the way they manage their money, starting with taking profit first.
He argues that traditional accounting methods that allocate profit at the end of the quarter or year are flawed, and businesses must prioritize profit from day one.
This book offers actionable steps, tips, and strategies for actually implementing the Profit First system. He actually tells you to stop reading/listening and go “go call your bank”, then come back to the book.
In my opinion, Profit First is an essential read for all entrepreneurs looking to improve their finances and grow their business. I still go back through this from time to time and re-implement the strategies taught here.
This book comes with downloadable resources to help you take action.
Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen
by Donald Miller
Building a StoryBrand is a guidebook for businesses to communicate their brand’s message more effectively. I use this concept myself in website design and strategy for my clients.
The book provides readers with a seven-step framework to clarify their brand message through the use of storytelling.
Miller shows businesses how to craft a compelling story that will grab the attention of their target audience, make them the hero, and position their brand as the guide.
Along with practical tools and resources, the book also offers real-life examples and success stories from businesses that have applied the StoryBrand framework. So you have some ideas to work from when writing your own copy.
Building a StoryBrand is a must-read for entrepreneurs, marketers, and business owners who want to improve their messaging and grow their brand.
This book comes with downloadable resources to help you take action. It also has an online workbook so you can fill out your own Story Brand for your business.
Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee
by Shannon Lee
This book is different and one of the most inspiring books I have ever read! I grew up watching Bruce Lee movies and reading his book on the Dao of Jeet Kun Do. He was a major inspiration for me to begin studying about yin/yang theory and to begin my journey into Kungfu, Chinese Kenpo and eventually paving my path to the All-Japan Taijiquan Championships, twice! I would be remiss not to recommend this book to everyone I know.
You can learn all you want about business and entreprenourship, but if you mind is not in the right place, it is very hard to succeed.
Written by Bruce Lee’s daughter Shannon Lee, this book reveals the philosophy that drove her father’s success and provides us with valuable insights into how we too can achieve our own personal and professional goals.
From the importance of mindfulness and self-awareness to the power of adaptability and resilience, this book offers practical advice and inspiring stories that will motivate readers of all ages to embrace their own unique paths to success.
“Empty your mind; be formless, shapeless like water.”
Audible (audio books subscription)
I prefer to listen to audiobooks while I’m on the move. For me, audible works really well. It keeps me motivated by being able to listen to a variety of books and take “clips” (bookmarks) mid-stream. Then I’ll add a note about what caught my attention so I can come back to it later. It’s easy to jump to the spot in the book and review when you need some inspiration.
I’m on a monthly subscription and get one book credit every month (Premium plan offers more), plus a ton of free Audible-only books and podcasts that are only available to subscribers.
Any books you buy with credits are yours to keep forever, even if you cancel your subscription. They also have regular deals for subscribers, offering books at discounts and the chance to stock up on credits at a discounted rate.
This is one business investment that keeps paying for itself over and over. If you prefer listening to books (great for Dyslexics), you’ll likely enjoy this too.
Clockwork, Revised and Expanded: Design Your Business to Run Itself
by Mike Michalowicz
“Run your business like clockwork.” Clockwork provides practical guidance on how to create a business that can operate without your constant involvement.
Drawing from his own experiences as an entrepreneur, Michalowicz outlines how to switch from being a bottleneck leader to a less active but more effective decision-maker.
The book encourages business owners to design systems that can help them achieve their goals without being bogged down by daily operational issues.
The strategies presented in the book are easy to understand and implement, making it a must-read for entrepreneurs looking for greater efficiency in their businesses.
If you want to be able to take a vacation and have the systems in place so you don’t have to bring your computer with you and sign out of social media, this book will help you do it. I’m still implementing his tactics.
This book comes with downloadable resources to help you take action.
Marketing Made Simple: A Step-by-Step StoryBrand Guide for Any Business
by Donald Miller
Marketing Made Simple breaks down the process of creating a clear and compelling marketing message using the StoryBrand framework.
He guides readers through identifying their ideal customer and crafting a story that speaks directly to their needs and desires. What I love about this book is how it emphasizes the importance of a clear and consistent message across all marketing platforms, including websites, social media, and email lists.
He includes practical tips and examples to help business owners and marketers implement the StoryBrand framework and connect with their target audience.
This is a great guide for all business owners and offers valuable insights for creating effective marketing that resonates with customers.
I’ve read this one several times already and will continue to refer back to it on a regular basis. Must have for your business library.
This book comes with downloadable resources to help you take action.
Get Marketing Made Simple on Audible here.
