Best books list
Best Small Business Books: Top 7 Small Business Books to Read
Want to build a successful small business?
This 7-day challenge walks you through the best books on entrepreneurship, marketing, and small business growth.
Top pick #1 of 7
The E-Myth Revisited
Why this is one of the best Small Business books:
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E.
Gerber is a crucial read for entrepreneurs, explaining why 80% of small businesses fail and offering invaluable strategies for success.
It teaches how to get your business to run without you, using systems and processes, that reduce your work and stress.
It shows how to work ON your business, not just IN it.
"That Fatal Assumption is: if you understand the technical work of a business, you understand a business that does that technical work."
Michael E. Gerber
Why read it?
Decades after it was published, this book continues to be a much-recommended bestseller for entrepreneurs worldwide.
Its evergreen popularity is proof of the timeless business wisdom packed inside.
If you’ve ever questioned why running your “dream business” feels more like working a nightmare 80-hour-per-week job, then this book is what you need!
It’s like having a business coach in your pocket, telling you exactly HOW to work smarter rather than harder. (Hint: by building systems in your business.)
Top pick #2 of 7
The Lean Startup
Why this is one of the best Small Business books:
"The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries is about how to build new startup businesses smarter, using lean and agile methods.
It emphasizes launching a Minimum Viable Product, gathering customer feedback with scientific tests, and pivoting based on insights.
This approach helps quickly develop valuable products that truly benefit customers.
"A startup is a human institution designed to create a new product or service under conditions of extreme uncertainty."
Eric Ries
Why read it?
If you're banging your head against the wall trying to make your startup work, "The Lean Startup" can give you a much-needed plan for success.
Eric Ries flips traditional business launch strategies upside down, arguing for a smarter, not harder, approach.
It's all about building a minimal product, getting it out there fast, "failing fast," and then tweaking it based on real feedback. (Rather than perfecting something in a vacuum and hoping it flies.) Think of it like playing a video game where you get a bunch of lives to keep trying. 🎮
Top pick #3 of 7
Traction
Why this is one of the best Small Business books:
Traction explains an 'operating system' that can help entrepreneurs achieve more control and organization in your business.
Gino Wickman has assembled many practical management tools including: a 10-year vision, a people-grading chart, a data dashboard, a systems documentation method, and 90-day priorities called "Rocks."
"Above all else, your leaders need to be able to simplify, delegate, predict, systemize, and structure."
Gino Wickman
Why read it?
If you're burning out trying to push your small business beyond the startup phase and into real, sustainable growth, "Traction" by Gino Wickman may be right for you.
Wickman cuts through the noise with the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), a clear framework that has helped many business owners stop spinning their wheels; and finally gain the grip to drive their business forward. 🛞
Top pick #4 of 7
Zero to One
Why this is one of the best Small Business books:
Zero to One is about the future of technology and a guide for startup business founders.
Peter Thiel is a billionaire entrepreneur and investor that shares many unconventional ideas.
He says entrepreneurs should avoid competition.
Instead build a (legal) monopoly selling something completely new and incomparable.
"The perfect target market for a startup is a small group of particular people concentrated together and served by few or no competitors."
Peter Thiel
Why read it?
If you're trying to come up with an innovative new business idea, or if you're struggling to stay afloat in an overcrowded market, Peter Thiel's "Zero to One" may be your life jacket.
Peter Thiel, the entrepreneur and investor behind major names like PayPal, Facebook and Palantir — challenges us to think about creating something so unique it goes from zero (nonexistent) to one (the first of its kind).
This isn't about following trends; it's about setting them.
This book urges you to look where others don't and think differently. 🏆
Top pick #5 of 7
The 4-Hour Workweek
Why this is one of the best Small Business books:
The 4-Hour Workweek is about building a passive income business so we can escape the usual 40-hour workweek, and design our ideal lifestyle.
Tim Ferris also shows how we can improve our productivity by following the 80/20 rule and a 'low information diet.'
"If you are insecure, guess what? The rest of the world is, too. Do not overestimate the competition and underestimate yourself. You are better than you think."
Tim Ferriss
Why read it?
This book is practically the bible of the "digital nomad" movement, where some people figured out how to work from their laptop anywhere in the world.
To most people it sounds like a complete fantasy: Imagine traveling the world, indulging your curiosity, all while your business runs itself.
But Tim Ferriss shares many inspirational case studies of people who have done it successfully.
It's kind of like finding out that unicorns are real—and they know how to code websites!
This book has opened the eyes of countless people that a radically different, unconventional type of lifestyle is possible.
Top pick #6 of 7
The Millionaire Fastlane
Why this is one of the best Small Business books:
The Millionaire Fastlane is about getting wealthy and retiring in 10 years rather than 40 years.
At first the title may sound unrealistic, but MJ DeMarco offers hard-earned business wisdom based on his success making millions of dollars after building a limousine booking website.
"Stop thinking about business in terms of your selfish desires, whether it's money, dreams or "do what you love." Instead, chase needs, problems, pain points, service deficiencies, and emotions."
MJ DeMarco
Why read it?
Reading 'The Millionaire Fastlane' is like having an exhilarating chat over coffee with a funny friend who also happens to be your millionaire mentor.
Half the time, you'll be cracking up; the other half, you'll be scribbling down money-making ideas.
It's a compact blast of inspiration for anyone ready to speed up their entrepreneurial journey.
Top pick #7 of 7
Profit First
Why this is one of the best Small Business books:
"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.
"When less money is available to run your business, you will find ways to get the same or better results with less. By taking your profit first, you will be forced to think smarter and innovate more."
Mike Michalowicz
Why 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.
Top pick #8 of 7
The 1-Page Marketing Plan
Why this is one of the best Small Business books:
The 1-Page Marketing Plan by Allan Dib simplifies marketing into a single-page framework that helps businesses attract, convert, and retain customers without complicated tricks or big budgets.
It’s designed for entrepreneurs and small business owners who need a clear, actionable 9-step roadmap to grow their business.
"Struggling business owners will spend time to save money, whereas successful business owners will spend money to save time."
Allan Dib
Why read it?
If you’re overwhelmed by marketing, this book gives you a clear, no-fluff roadmap to create a predictable system for business growth, even if you’re starting from scratch.
Top pick #9 of 7
Sell Like Crazy
Why this is one of the best Small Business books:
"Sell Like Crazy" by Sabri Suby is a no-fluff guide to writing ads, offers, and marketing messages that sell.
Written by Australian entrepreneur Sabri Suby, the book is aimed at business owners, marketers, and entrepreneurs who want to generate more leads and sales consistently.
"The ability to write ads and marketing messages that sell is by far the most lethal money-making skill you could ever hope to acquire."
Sabri Suby
Why read it?
You should read Sell Like Crazy because it cuts through the fluff and shows you exactly how to grow a business using simple, proven sales and marketing strategies.
It’s not some hyped-up theory book—it’s a field guide written by someone who’s actually built wildly successful marketing campaigns from scratch.
If you're tired of guessing how to get clients or make your website actually sell something, this book will show you what works—and how to do it without feeling like a pushy salesperson.
Top pick #10 of 7
Who Not How
Why this is one of the best Small Business books:
Who Not How by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy teaches that success isn’t just about working harder—it’s about finding the right people to do things for you.
That means when you face a challenge, instead of asking, “How do I solve this?” you should ask, “Who can help me solve this?”
"If you’re going to apply higher levels of teamwork in your life, you’ll need to relinquish control over how things get done."
Dan Sullivan
Why read it?
You should read this because you’re doing way too much, and it’s slowing you down.
Seriously—Who Not How is like a slap in the face (in the best way) for anyone who thinks “working harder” is the answer.
If you’ve ever tried to do everything yourself—build the business, write the emails, fix the printer, make the coffee—this book will hit you like a revelation.
It’s not about being the hero; it’s about finding your Whos—the people who can do what you suck at (or just don’t want to do).
You’ll finally understand how to grow faster, stress less, and stop being the bottleneck in your own life.
Read this if you’re ready to get out of your own way—and maybe finally take a real weekend off.