“If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
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While most of the greatest lessons that you’ll learn as an entrepreneur will probably come from mistakes and challenging experiences, published works such as books, whitepapers, blog posts, and the like still provide a lot of value for business owners. Books in particular are great resources because they can offer credibility and in-depth commentaries that most online sources can’t match.
Below are some of the best books that entrepreneurs can have on their bookshelves. Whether you’re looking for some motivation to continue with your venture, or wondering how the most successful entrepreneurs got to where they are now, these 6 books are definitely worth checking out.
Enchantment by Guy Kawasaki
Whether you’re looking to gain more customers, or aiming to charm the media, Guy Kawasaki’s Enchantment is a must-read. This book offers various tips on how to be more likable and influential. It’s an easy to read book that’s filled with real-life stories from enchanting people and companies.
Losing My Virginity: How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way by Richard Branson
Want to know how serial entrepreneur Richard Branson (owner of Virgin Airlines, Virgin Records, Virgin Cola and numerous other ventures) became who he is today? Then be sure to pick up his autobiography. It’s a fun read that reveals the stories behind several Virgin companies. Branson’s outrageous insights can get your creative juices flowing and motivate you to think outside the box when it comes to starting a business.
The Brand Within: The Power of Branding from Birth to the Boardroom by Daymond John
This book teaches you how to effectively market and brand both your business and yourself. It serves as great handbook that reveals the power of branding and how you can use it in your business and daily life.
Shark Tales: How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business by Barbara Corcoran
Going beyond narrating Barbara Corcoran’s fascinating rise to the top, this story reveals the unconventional lessons that Corcoran used to build her billion dollar business. The book also offers a lot of inspiring words that will definitely get you thinking, “If she can do it, so can I.”
How to Win at the Sport of Business: If I Can Do It, You Can Do It by Mark Cuban
Available only as an e-book, How to Win at the Sport of Business is a compilation of Mark Cuban’s posts in his popular site, Blog Maverick. In the book, Cuban shares his rags to riches tale of how he went from selling powdered milk to being a multi-billionaire. What’s great about it is that while it’s an easy read with just about 76 pages, the book is filled with hard-hitting insights that can give you the motivation to hustle and be successful.