14 Business Ownership Books to Make You a Better Entrepreneur

Running a business is hard. And you’ll likely run into a lot of firsts, especially in the early days. While there’s no one magical playbook to tell you how to handle a wide range of situations, there’s still a lot of really valuable content out there to help you grow as an entrepreneur. 

That’s why we’ve rounded up the 14 best books on business ownership, covering everything from leadership and marketing to scaling your business. These books will help you navigate the highs and lows of running a business and give you the tools to level up, no matter where you are in your journey.

Top 14 best books on business ownership

Before we get into the details of each book, here’s a quick overview. You can skip to the one that catches your eye, or stick around for the whole guide.

In each section, you’ll find:

• A brief summary and key insights
• When it’s worth reading within your business journey
• What other readers and business owners think about it.

1. The Lean Startup by Eric Ries

If you’re looking for the best book on starting a business fast, The Lean Startup is for you. 

Eric Ries breaks down how you can get your business off the ground by testing your ideas as quickly and cheaply as possible. Instead of pouring time and money into something that might flop, you can run small, real-world experiments, see what works, and then double down.

Eric’s method keeps you flexible and allows you to pivot when things don’t go as planned—because, let’s face it, they rarely do.

📖 Read if: You’re looking to build a business by testing ideas quickly and minimizing costly failures.

💬 Nguyen Linh Chi finds this book perfect for start-ups, valuing its practicality: “Best book for start-ups. This book does not contain many fancy you-have-a-passion-just-do-it examples like other startup books do. I appreciate the applicability of this book and recommend it to everyone.”

👉 Buy this book

2. Start with Why by Simon Sinek

One of the best books for entrepreneurs and leaders, Sinek’s Start with Why digs into why having a clear sense of purpose is crucial for any business. The author explains that while most companies focus on what they do, the best ones lead with why they do it. When your “why” is strong, you inspire your team and attract loyal customers who believe in your mission.

If you've struggled to align your vision with the way you communicate, this book will give you a fresh perspective.

📖 Read if: You're looking to find your company's deeper purpose and use it to fuel growth.

💬  Reflecting on her experience with the book, Kristin highlights its value for leaders: “Start with Why has a simple and straightforward message that is, indeed, inspirational. I'd highly recommend the book to anyone who wants to be a better leader within their company or business. I know it took me way too long to discover Simon Sinek, but that guy definitely knows what he's talking about.”

👉 Buy this book

3. The Purple Cow by Seth Godin

A bit of an unusual name for a business book, but The Purple Cow is all about standing out from the crowd. Seth Godin argues that in today’s world, being “good” isn’t good enough. To succeed, your business has to be remarkable—like a purple cow in a field of brown ones.

Godin explains how to make your product or service so unique that people can’t help but notice and talk about it. So, if you want to break through the noise, this is one of the best books on business ownership.

📖 Read if: You want to build a business that’s unforgettable and remarkable.

💬 For Giordi, Purple Cow is an essential read: “One of the first books I purchased right out of high school, and probably one of the best. Godin's Purple Cow is the only book you really need to read for marketing. Honestly, you can apply it to everything. Whether it's your company or your resume, you want to be the purple cow.”

👉 Buy this book

4. The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett

Steven, a multi-million dollar business owner and the host of the wildly popular Diary of a CEO podcast, brings the same unfiltered energy to his book.

His book, which shares the same name as his podcast, offers a no-holds-barred look at the real side of entrepreneurship, drawing from both his own experiences and those of his podcast guests. Steven lays it all out—from epic mistakes to deeply personal challenges, he reveals the side of entrepreneurship most would rather keep hidden. It’s raw, it’s gritty, and it’s for anyone who’s experienced the real highs and lows of running a business.

📖 Read if: You want real talk about the highs and lows of running a business, not just the success stories.

💬 Jenny praises the book for its focus on leadership and efficient business management: “Useful tools for leadership, perseverance, thinking and working smarter and running a successful company.”

👉 Buy this book

5. The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz

Starting a business is one thing. Running it—well, that's a completely different story. The Hard Thing About Hard Things focuses on the tough parts of managing a business.

Ben Horowitz discusses the problems no one warns you about, like firing people, making difficult decisions, and handling failure. He’s upfront about how challenging it can be, sharing lessons from his own experience as a CEO.

📖 Read if: You’re going through a rough patch with your business and need real advice on how to get through it.

💬 Mario provides his take on the book, highlighting its blend of psychological insight and actionable business advice: “Must read for any entrepreneur. Dives into the psychology of being a CEO and also full of practical business advice for managing a company during challenging times."

👉 Buy this book

6. Dare to Lead by Brené Brown

Oftentimes, leadership is perceived as giving orders. However, Brené Brown challenges this notion in her book, Dare to Lead.

She believes that leading is about having honest conversations, showing empathy, and building trust with your team. She breaks the idea that leaders always have to be tough and shows how being open and real can actually make you a stronger and more effective leader. If you want to lead your team in a way that builds stronger connections, this book gives you the tools to do just that.

📖 Read if: You want to become a better communicator and build stronger relationships with your team.

💬  Here’s what Monica, one of the readers, shares about the book: “Read over a long period for a book club with work. Great real-life examples and simple, easy-to-follow solutions. Recommend for all professional leaders!”

👉 Buy this book

7. Profit First by Mike Michalowicz

Profit First flips the traditional business finance model on its head. Instead of paying expenses first and hoping there’s profit left over, Mike Michalowicz suggests you prioritize profit from the start.

The system is simple: every time you get money, set aside your profit first, then use what’s left to cover expenses. This approach forces you to manage your money better and ensures that your business is always profitable. If you’re looking for a book on business finances and accounting with practical tips, this read is for you!

📖 Read if: You’re tired of running a “break-even” business and want to start seeing real profits.

💬 Allyson shares her take on the book, emphasizing how practical it is: “I LOVED this book! Not only does the author outline a very simple and effective way to manage your business's finances, but he does so in a way that's easy to follow and fun to read.”

👉 Buy this book

8. $100M Leads by Alex Hormozi

$100M Leads is about how to get more customers for your business, which is the biggest challenge for most companies. Alex Hormozi shares easy-to-understand tips on how to generate new leads without spending tons of money.

He talks about using smart strategies like digital marketing and direct outreach to help businesses grow fast. The goal is to create a system that consistently brings in new leads, so you don’t have to rely on expensive ads or random luck.

📖 Read if: You struggle to get consistent leads.

💬 Matt Lillywhite loved this book for its practicality: “$100m Leads is (by far) one of the best books I’ve read on marketing. It doesn't contain any fluff. Instead, it's several hundred pages of practical advice.”

👉 Buy this book

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9. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

Building effective habits is part of being a successful entrepreneur, and that’s exactly what the main idea of this book is. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is about building simple but powerful habits that can change how you think, work, and lead a team.

These habits focus on things like taking responsibility, setting goals, and working well with others. Covey’s approach has helped countless people feel more productive and successful.

📖 Read if: You’re looking to improve how you manage your time, relationships, and work.

💬 Here’s what one reader, Sat,  had to say about this book on Goodreads: “If there's only one leadership book to read in your life, this book would be it. This is more than just a business book. It's a book that shapes a person to become greater in leadership, interpersonal skills, social intelligence, and emotional intelligence.”

👉 Buy this book

10. Coach Builder by Donald Miller

If you’ve accumulated a lot of experience in a particular area, coaching can be a great business to start. And that’s exactly what The Coach Builder is all about!

Donald Miller breaks down the steps to building a profitable coaching business, from finding your niche and getting coaching clients to marketing yourself effectively.

📖 Read if: You’re ready to take the leap into coaching but need a clear plan.

💬 Here’s what Paul Colligan has to say about the book in his Amazon review:

"Been waiting for this book for a while. Got up early this morning to download the Kindle version, and ... wow.

Miller sums it up perfectly when he says on page 6 that the 'world does not need another book about the philosophy of coaching.' It doesn't. What we need, and what we now have, is a step-by-step guide to how to make a business out of coaching."

👉 Buy this book

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11. The Unicorn's Shadow by Ethan Mollick

The Unicorn’s Shadow breaks down the myths of startup culture. Ethan Mollick explains that not every business needs to be a billion-dollar “unicorn” to succeed. Instead, he focuses on how smaller, realistic goals can lead to real success. With research and practical advice, Mollick helps you understand how to build a strong, sustainable business without all the hype.

📖 Read if: You’re tired of the “unicorn” startup stories and want real ways to succeed.

💬 Here’s what Abdullah has to say about the book: “Great short book dispelling a lot of common misconceptions and general fantasized expectations from both the public and investors, who sometimes create structured rules based on conventions while actively trying to be contrarian.”

👉 Buy this book

12. The Copywriter's Handbook by Robert W. Bly

Another addition to the list of the best books on business ownership is The Copywriter’s Handbook. This is a super helpful guide for anyone who needs to write copy that actually sells. Robert Bly shows you how to write things like website copy, emails, and ads that get people to take action.

If you’re a small business owner or solopreneur who can’t afford to hire a copywriter, this book teaches you how to do it yourself.

📖 Read if: You need to write your own website or email copy and want better results.

💬 Here’s what Victoria thinks about this book: “I am baffled that a reader would rate this book less than 4-5 stars. It is packed with easily referenced information and in-depth, step-by-step guides to navigate the process of writing effective sales copy in various contexts.”

👉 Buy this book

13. Turn the Ship Around by David Marquet

In Turn the Ship Around, David Marquet flips the script on leadership. Instead of barking orders from the top, Marque empowers his crew to lead themselves. Based on his experience transforming a struggling submarine into one of the Navy’s best-performing vessels, this book is packed with lessons for any business owner who wants to create a team that doesn’t just follow orders but actively contributes to the success of the mission.

📖 Read if: You want to inspire your team to take ownership, make decisions, and lead without waiting for your direction at every turn.

💬 Here are Nathan’s two cents on the book: “This is one of those books that is hard to put down. Easy to read (even though I don't know anything about the Navy or submarines) while it is PACKED with so much leadership truth.”

👉 Buy this book

14. Traction by Gino Wickman

The last book on our list is Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman. In this book, Wickman shows you how to get your business firing on all cylinders using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS).

Packed with real-world insights, the author takes the guesswork out of scaling by helping you identify what’s working and what’s holding you back. From clarifying your company’s vision to solving day-to-day issues, Traction is your playbook for getting control, breaking through ceilings, and building a business that runs smoothly—without you needing to put out fires every day.

📖 Read if: You’ve hit a plateau and are ready to break free from constant firefighting, putting a proven system in place to scale without the stress.

💬 Isabelle has already implemented the principles of this book. Here’s what she has to say: “It's the best business book I've ever read. It took me almost 3 months to finish it because I implemented every stage of the book in my business at the same time as I was reading and it literally changed my business completely!”

👉 Buy this book

Take your pick

Congrats on making it to the end! Now comes the tricky part: figuring out which book to read first.

Go with the one that feels most relevant to where your business is right now. Maybe you need help scaling, or perhaps lead generation is your struggle. Or maybe you’re a solopreneur handling your own marketing. Grab a book that speaks to your biggest pain point or interest and start putting those ideas into action!

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FAQs

Which book should I read to start a business?

If you’re just getting started, The Lean Startup by Eric Ries is a fantastic choice. It gives you clear steps on how to test your business ideas quickly and efficiently, without wasting resources. It’s especially helpful if you want to avoid common startup mistakes and learn how to build something that can grow sustainably.

Do business owners read books?

Absolutely! Many business owners read regularly to stay sharp and get new ideas. Running a business is tough, and reading helps them learn from others’ experiences, avoid common mistakes, and pick up strategies to grow their business.

How can I be the best business owner?

Being a great business owner means being adaptable, constantly learning, and leading with integrity. Focus on understanding your customers, building a strong team, and staying open to feedback. While you won’t get everything perfect, the key is to keep improving and staying flexible in tough situations.