Entrepreneurship is a lifestyle, not just about having a good project. Each stage counts, from the spark that generates an idea to the ups and downs that lead you to consolidate a company. To successfully take your business to the next level, developing new skills and an adaptable mindset is crucial.
In this context, reading becomes a powerful tool as it can provide the clarity you need, help avoid common mistakes, and teach you from the experiences of other leaders and founders.
1. The Entrepreneur: 10 Steps to Start or Boost Your Business – Arturo Elías Ayub
Arturo Elías Ayub, a renowned Mexican entrepreneur known for his participation in the television show Shark Tank México and his leadership in Grupo Carso, shares his experience and acquired knowledge throughout his entrepreneurial career in this book.
He offers a practical guide for entrepreneurs looking to start or strengthen their business, addressing topics such as the importance of perseverance, strategic decision-making, and effective resource management.
This book provides practical tools and advice that can help you structure your business efficiently, make informed decisions, and tackle common challenges on the entrepreneurial journey, increasing your chances of success and sustainability.
2. The Secrets of the Millionaire Mind – T. Harv Eker
T. Harv Eker, a Canadian entrepreneur and motivational speaker, is recognized for his teachings on the psychology of wealth and financial success. In this book, he goes beyond traditional financial advice and explores how childhood beliefs, especially those related to money and success, can become mental blocks limiting entrepreneurs.
Through concepts like the “financial thermometer,” Eker challenges you to reprogram these beliefs and adopt a wealthy mindset.
This book can help you identify and transform limiting beliefs about money, enabling you to make bolder and more strategic financial decisions in your business.
3. Atomic Habits – James Clear
James Clear, an American writer and speaker specializing in habits, decision-making, and continuous improvement, has become a global reference.
In his bestselling book, Clear argues that sustained success isn’t about big decisions but small actions repeated daily. He combines behavioral science with practical examples to show how to change habits, create effective systems, and avoid relapses.
This book is ideal for entrepreneurs seeking discipline, productivity, and consistency in their routines. By applying the book’s principles, you can build effective routines that boost your daily productivity, improve time management, and enhance business results.
4. Rich Dad Poor Dad – Robert Kiyosaki
Robert Kiyosaki, an entrepreneur, investor, and author of Japanese-American origin, is globally known for his clear and accessible approach to financial education.
This classic explains the difference between working for money and making your money work for you. Through the story of two contrasting parental figures, Kiyosaki offers valuable lessons on investment, assets, and financial mindset.
Essential for all entrepreneurs, as its teachings can help you make smarter financial decisions, build assets, and ensure the economic sustainability of your venture.
5. The Innovator’s Dilemma – Clayton Christensen
Clayton Christensen, a Harvard Business School professor and one of the most influential thinkers in management and innovation, introduced the concept of disruptive innovation.
In this book, he explains why many successful companies fail when new technologies emerge. Christensen analyzes how the inability to adapt to change can be fatal, even for leading organizations.
This text is crucial for entrepreneurs who want to innovate without losing their way, as it prepares you to innovate without fear of change, fostering strategic thinking to maintain competitiveness in the market.
6. The Lean Startup – Eric Ries
Eric Ries, an American entrepreneur and consultant, created the Lean Startup movement that transformed how products are launched and businesses are built.
In his book, Ries introduces the concept of a “minimum viable product” (MVP) and rapid validation cycles. You’ll find advice on launching products agilely, reducing risk, and quickly adapting to customer needs.
This book is an indispensable guide for those seeking to build innovative and sustainable businesses from scratch. The lean methodology allows you to validate ideas quickly, reducing resource waste and increasing commercial success probabilities.
7. Homo Deus – Yuval Noah Harari
Yuval Noah Harari, an Israeli historian and philosopher, is known for his essays on the history and future of humanity.
This book offers a deep look at where humanity is headed in an increasingly AI-driven, biotechnology, and data-dominated world. Although not a business book per se, it provides powerful perspective for entrepreneurs wanting to understand the global context in which they’ll shape the future.
This text invites reflection on technological and social trends that may influence the long-term direction of your business.
8. Purple Cow – Seth Godin
Seth Godin, an entrepreneur and one of modern marketing’s great thinkers, focuses on cultural change, differentiation, and creative leadership.
In a world where everyone competes for attention, being “good” is no longer enough; only the extraordinary, something that stands out like a purple cow in a field of ordinary ones, can create impact.
This book challenges you to create something truly remarkable and shareworthy. Applying its concepts in your business can help you differentiate your product or service, capture the attention of your ideal market, and build brand loyalty.
9. Sell or Be Sold – Grant Cardone
Grant Cardone, a professional salesperson and entrepreneur who has built an empire around sales, real estate, and personal development, shares strategies to master the art of selling in this book.
He emphasizes that we’re all constantly selling: ideas, products, or ourselves. Entrepreneurs will find a powerful read to gain confidence in their sales skills and boost results, as well as develop a strong mindset when facing objections, improve deal-closing abilities, and increase income.
10. Scaling Up – Verne Harnish
Many entrepreneurs successfully launch their businesses, but few know how to scale them. This book is designed for growing companies needing structure, processes, and strategy to advance without losing control.
Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) founder Verne Harnish aims for this book to accompany businesses in their growth, offering clear tools and frameworks for organized scaling—from talent management to cash flow.
Harnish’s methodology helps professionalize your company management, enabling you to scale with solid processes and aligned teams.
11. Shoe Dog (Never Stop) – Phil Knight
The memoirs of Nike’s co-founder, Phil Knight, are a masterclass in perseverance. Knight recounts his fears, failures, and triumphs that led him to build Nike.
In these pages, Knight takes readers through the steps he took to sell “sneakers,” from his car trunk to building a global brand. An inspiring book that shows even the greats started with doubts and uncertainty.
This story motivates you to persist through difficult entrepreneurial moments, inspiring you to find purpose and passion in what you do.
12. The Magic of Ordering – Marie Kondo
Marie Kondo, a Japanese organizing consultant and author famous for her KonMari method, helps people organize their homes and lives more efficiently.
While her primary focus is the home, the KonMari method significantly impacts the business world. In this book, Kondo teaches how to order physical and mental spaces, which can improve productivity and creativity, optimize resources, and reduce chaos in your business.
By applying her principles, you can create a more organized work environment, facilitating decision-making and enhancing operational efficiency. External order can lead to internal order, positively impacting business performance.
