10 must-read books for entrepreneurs and business owners

If you’re thinking about launching your own business or have just taken the leap, embracing a mindset of continuous learning is one of the most effective ways to navigate this exciting journey confidently.

Whether you’re learning how the world’s most renowned entrepreneurs built their empires or discovering how to take care of your wellbeing, there’s a treasure trove of excellent books to guide you.

With World Entrepreneur’s Day 2025 around the corner, we’ve done the hard work for you and compiled our top books for entrepreneurs. Read on for a sneak peek of the relevant, practical, and transformative insights they offer startup founders.

1. The Lean Startup by Eric Ries

Imagine having the perfect business idea, spending months bringing it to market, and then finding that no one really wants or needs it. Many entrepreneurs make this mistake, wasting precious time and resources.

That’s why The Lean Startup features on our list of the best books for business owners. It’s a foundational read, essential for anyone bringing a new product to market in an uncertain environment.

Serial entrepreneur, Eric Ries, applies a scientific approach to entrepreneurship using the Build-Measure-Learn feedback loop. Rather than spending months or years building a “perfect” product based on personal assumptions, the loop encourages you to get honest user feedback as early as possible.

• Support for entrepreneurs: Here’s where to start
• Guide to mentoring for women: benefits and importance

The key message is that your idea doesn’t have to be perfect from day one; it just needs to be functional enough to gain feedback to help you perfect it.

Wondering if this book is for you? Here is one reader’s review:

2. Zero to One by Peter Thiel (with Blake Masters)

Zero to One offers a strategic framework for ambitious startup founders who want to build standout businesses instead of entering saturated markets.

Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and Palantir, highlights that copying what already exists won’t lead to much improvement; original thinking generates value. He introduces the concept of monopoly through innovation and challenges readers to ask: “What valuable company is nobody building?”

Zero to One encourages bold thinking, which is crucial for emerging startups aiming to differentiate themselves in crowded markets. It also provides an essential framework for creating sustainable business structures and inspires founders to identify and develop unique ideas. This book is both a mindset and a methodology for entrepreneurs aiming to pioneer, rather than compete.

3. The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz

Countless business books tell you how to succeed, but few tell you what to do when things go wrong. The truth is, they will, and how you overcome them makes all the difference.

Written by a founder-turned-venture capitalist (VC) with firsthand experience running a startup during the dot-com crash, The Hard Thing About Hard Things is an honest guide to managing crises, firing executives, building morale, and making mission-critical decisions under pressure.

Horowitz offers practical solutions to problems rarely spoken about, such as layoffs, boardroom tension, and leadership fatigue. He helps fellow entrepreneurs develop emotional resilience and discover value in the face of difficult decisions.

4. Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of NIKE by Phil Knight

Unlike many business books offering frameworks and principles, Shoe Dog is a raw, unfiltered account of what it’s like to build a company from scratch, complete with setbacks, near-bankruptcies, bold decisions, and personal doubts.

From selling running shoes out of the boot of his car to helping build one of the most iconic global sports brands, Knight’s journey validates just how uncertain the startup phase can be. It normalises the fear and risk involved in forming a business, offering an honest look at the realities of working for yourself and the success that comes with persistence and self-belief.

This book is a must-read for early-stage business owners and anyone needing a reminder that even the most iconic companies struggled initially.

For Graeme Donnelly, 1st Formations’ CEO and Founder, Shoe Dog is one of the best books for entrepreneurs. He shares his review below:

5. Mother of Invention by Katrine Marçal

What if some of the most noteworthy innovations in history were ignored not because they were bad ideas, but because they challenged gender expectations?

In Mother of Invention, Katrine Marçal uncovers a powerful thread throughout capitalist and technological history: how undervaluing women and ‘feminine’ ideas has stifled progress and innovation. From electric cars to computers, many groundbreaking creations were delayed or overlooked due to outdated gender norms.

Marçal offers a fresh outlook on entrepreneurship, and encourages founders to recognise and tackle unconscious bias. Pick up a copy of this book to discover how overlooked user needs and historically ignored perspectives can inspire strategic thinking in your business journey.

6. Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson

Rework is the productivity manual every business owner needs. It radically challenges the status quo of how startups should operate, helping you break away from overworked, overfunded, and overcomplicated business models.

Written by the founder of the software company 37signals, this book is a series of short, punchy chapters packed with unconventional wisdom about hiring, firing, launching, and working more effectively. Better still, it’s all based on real business experiences.

Rework is a book suited for startups and remote teams that promotes simplicity and focus while debunking the myth that relentless work is necessary for success.

7. Start with Why by Simon Sinek

If you’re struggling to find relatable, straightforward business and leadership advice, look no further than Simon Sinek‘s Start with Why. In this book, Sinek helps you uncover the deeper purpose that motivates your team, enabling you to attract loyal customers and effectively address short-term challenges.

It might be over 15 years old, but this wonderfully upfront book is still as relevant as ever. From Apple’s brand philosophy to Martin Luther King Jr.’s leadership style, Sinek uses real-world case studies to convey the fundamental differences between those who lead with clarity and purpose and those who rely solely on tactics or product quality.

He does this using his famous Golden Circle theory. He explains that every organisation knows what it does; some know how it does it, but very few know why. Watch Sinek in action as he describes how some of the world’s greatest leaders use the Golden Circle to inspire and innovate:

Sinek’s philosophy is simple but profound: “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” If your mission feels unclear or you’re struggling to attract attention in a crowded market, Start with Why offers a reset; a way to discover, articulate, and stick by your vision.

8. Playing Big by Tara Mohr

Imposter syndrome is a silent struggle many entrepreneurs face. It can present itself through feelings of self-doubt and second-guessing, and it can quietly stall growth. Playing Big by Tara Mohr is a powerful guide for moving past these internal challenges and stepping into leadership with clarity and confidence.

Why is it so effective? Mohr blends psychological research with practical coaching tools. She helps readers identify fear and replace it with vision and impact.  

Is self-doubt holding you back from starting a business? Pick up this book to discover concrete steps to change your mindset and embrace your full potential.

9. Leapfrog by Natalie Molina Niño (with Sara Grace)

Does the usual startup advice feel irrelevant or out of touch? Try Leapfrog. Niño, a tech entrepreneur and investor, provides a refreshing alternative for driven and creative business owners who may not come from wealthy backgrounds or have obtained a business degree from a top-tier university.

Filled with business growth hacks and real-world experience, Leapfrog navigates bias and aims to disrupt privilege-based gatekeeping in business – ideal for founders without traditional support or professional connections.

10. Atomic Habits by James Clear

Business success comes from structure as much as strategy. Atomic Habits explains how small, consistent behavioural changes lead to significant results.

For example, Clear explains that seeing yourself as “the kind of person who is always prepared” rather than just trying to be organised can transform how founders approach time management and leadership. Instead of focusing only on outcomes (like completing your to-do list), shift your mindset to align your habits with the type of entrepreneur you want to become.

Startup founders often face the challenge of managing numerous tasks simultaneously. To address this, implementing science-backed strategies can be highly beneficial. These tactics help enhance focus, minimise overwhelming feelings, and assist with the development of scalable daily routines.

Additional books for startup founders to explore

Haven’t found what you’re looking for? Here are four other top books for entrepreneurs that are worth a read: 

• Venture Deals by Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson – Find out how to secure smart, fair deals and avoid common funding traps.
• Measure What Matters by John Doerr – Understanding objectives and key results (OKRs) for transparent goal setting, a tried-and-tested method used by the likes of Google and LinkedIn.
• The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau – Explores case studies of how real people built income-generating ventures from scratch.
• Good to Great by Jim Collins – Perfect for refining your operations, leadership, and culture.

Unlock growth and purpose with these essential books for entrepreneurs

Each of these books has the power to influence how founders operate, think, and lead. Take the first step today by choosing a book that directly addresses a challenge you’re currently facing. Need validation strategies? Go for The Lean Startup. Struggling with burnout or business direction? Try Atomic Habits.

Always stay curious. Entrepreneurship is a constant learning curve, so whether you enjoy books, podcasts, or watching YouTube videos, invest in expanding your knowledge to strengthen your ideas and business.

Feeling inspired to start your dream business? Explore our registration packages and bring your idea to life with 1st Formations.