The 31 Best Entrepreneur Books of All Time (2024)

$100M Leads by Alex Hormozi is a book about how to increase sales by getting more engaged leads. It teaches us how to create a valuable lead magnet, cold contact people you don't know, build a large audience of followers, scale advertising profitably, build an affiliate program, and much more.

Why should you read it? If you're on the hunt for a game-changer in the world of business and lead generation, look no further than "$100M Leads" by Alex Hormozi. Why listen to Hormozi? Because he's not just another self-proclaimed business expert; he's a doer who has built and sold businesses. This book is a deep dive into actionable strategies that Hormozi himself has used to skyrocket his companies' growth. With his straightforward style and real-world examples, Hormozi cuts through the noise, offering clear, direct instruction to up your sales game.

The Everything Store is about how Jeff Bezos grew Amazon—from a simple online bookstore into the 5th largest company in the world. He did it with a mix of great timing, customer obsession, and relentless competition.

Made in Japan is the autobiography of Akio Morita, who co-founded Sony and grew it to become one of the largest electronics companies in the world. Akio shares his advice for management, leadership and innovation. He also explains many differences in the working culture between Japan and the West.

"Made to Stick" by Chip and Dan Heath teaches how to explain your ideas and thoughts so they capture attention, persuade others, and stick in people's minds. Learn why some ideas become popular and others fail using their research-based SUCCESs framework, which outlines six key principles: Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotions, and Stories.

Why should you read it? Curious why some ideas become popular while others flop? "Made to Stick" by Chip and Dan Heath cracks the code on what makes ideas unforgettable, by analyzing everything from hit marketing campaigns to political slogans, classic folktales, and even crazy conspiracy theories. Perfect for marketers, educators, entrepreneurs, or anyone eager to make their message as clingy as gum on a shoe in summer. 👟

Influence is about six principles of persuasion useful for sales, marketing, and negotiation. Professor Robert Cialdini backs his ideas with a lot of science research. The six principles are: reciprocity, commitment and consistency, social proof, liking, authority and scarcity.

Why should you read it? Influence may be the greatest marketing book of all time. But more than that, like a secret playbook of the human mind—a deep dive into our decision-making process. Think of it as a crash course in "Why did I just agree to that?" or "Why did I just buy that?" It's a must-read, whether you are a marketer, salesperson, or you just want to communicate with more influence. By the end, you'll understand why we say "yes" to things that make no sense, from buying stocks we know nothing about to subscribing to that cheese-of-the-month club. 🧀

Grinding It Out is about how McDonald's grew to be one of the biggest companies in the world. Ray Kroc did it through seizing the right opportunity, perfecting the fundamentals of the business, always emphasizing growth, and persisting until he found the successful strategy.

Total Recall by Arnold Schwarzenegger is the incredible true life story of the bodybuilding icon, Hollywood superstar, and former California Governor. From his humble beginnings in a small village in Austria, to chasing his unique American Dream, Arnold inspires us to stay hungry on our own path to success.

The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing by Al Ries and Jack Trout is a must-read classic in the marketing world. It reveals that branding success comes from being first and unique in the market, not from having the best product. A practical guide loaded with examples from Coca-Cola, Apple, Toyota, etc.

Why should you read it? Ries and Trout have a way of simplifying complex marketing strategies into clear, understandable laws. This book is like a marketing mentor, guiding you through the pitfalls and opportunities of marketing with sharp insights and famous examples that have stood the test of time. It's a must-read for anyone looking to gain a competitive edge in the world of marketing.

How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big is about the hilarious wisdom and many business failures of Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert. He shares pragmatic strategies for increasing our odds of success—by using systems over goals, building a talent stack and repeating (mysteriously powerful) affirmations.

"Building a StoryBrand" by Donald Miller teaches business owners how to clarify your message using storytelling principles. It outlines a seven-part framework to help brands create a clear, compelling narrative that resonates with your customers. This makes sure your message captivates attention, is understood easily, and drives more sales.

"Pour Your Heart Into It" by Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks, is a memoir that details the story of how Starbucks grew from a small coffee shop in Seattle into a global brand. The book combines Schultz's personal journey with the principles and values that guided him in building Starbucks, emphasizing the importance of passion, perseverance, and authenticity in business.

Why should you read it? You should read "Pour Your Heart Into It" because it's more than just a business book; it's an inspiring story of how a strong vision and unwavering commitment can transform a small idea into a global phenomenon. Schultz's journey is filled with valuable lessons on leadership, innovation, and staying true to your core values, no matter how big you get. It's a great read for anyone who believes in the power of passion and purpose in business.

"Profit First" by Mike Michalowicz introduces a simple cash management system for small businesses. It says that by setting aside profit first—before paying expenses—you can build a business that is more consistently profitable and financially healthy.

Why should you read it? Profit first may be a game-changer for many small business owners. It offers a straightforward approach to managing business finances by prioritizing profit. If you're looking to improve your company's financial health without getting bogged down in complex accounting, I highly recommend giving it a read.

"Million Dollar Weekend" by Noah Kagan is a step-by-step guide for entrepreneurs on how to launch a business in just 48 hours. It focuses on overcoming fears of failure and rejection, offering practical methods for generating ideas, validating them, and quickly acquiring paying customers.

Why should you read it? You should read "Million Dollar Weekend" if you're serious about starting a business but find yourself stuck in the planning phase. Noah Kagan's approach is all about getting out of your own way, launching quickly, and learning from real-world feedback. The advice is straightforward, actionable, and designed to help you make tangible progress toward a successful business in a short time frame.

The ONE Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan emphasizes focusing on the single most important task in any area of your life to achieve extraordinary results. The book teaches the power of prioritization, guiding readers to simplify their approach by identifying and acting on the "one thing" that will make the biggest impact in their goals, careers, or personal lives.

Why should you read it? I read The ONE Thing, and it completely shifted how I think about productivity. Instead of trying to juggle everything at once, this book taught me to focus on what truly matters—what will drive the biggest results. If you feel overwhelmed with too many tasks or unsure where to start, The ONE Thing will show you how simplifying and narrowing your focus can lead to extraordinary success.

Expert Secrets by Russell Brunson is a guide to becoming an expert in any field and building a profitable business by selling products like books, courses, and coaching. He shares strategies for building a loyal audience through storytelling, copywriting, persuasion, and movement-building, along with his "perfect webinar" script for creating an effective sales funnel.

Why should you read it? You should read Expert Secrets if you want to turn your knowledge or passion into something impactful and profitable. Brunson doesn’t just discuss marketing theories—he gives you a clear roadmap with actionable steps to build a thriving online business and connect meaningfully with your audience.