There’s no time like the present to start up your own business and take a dip into the startup scene. In recent years, startup hubs have drifted from Silicon Valley and have been popping up all over Europe. Anyone with an idea can start a business, whether it succeeds is a different story.
Although learning on the job is an invaluable experience, reading up on where other startups have excelled or unfortunately gone wrong, is a great way to build a knowledge base for starting your own business. The inception period of your business is a huge learning curve and from time to time you may find yourself at a brick wall that momentarily feels impossible to break through. There are so many useful resources out there to help you through those brick wall moments e.g. entrepreneurial blogs, startup conferences and inspiring self starting startup books.
Whether you’ll be at the beach, by the pool or at home this summer, (in no particular order) we have compiled a list of 10 read worthy startup books for you to tuck into:
1. The Lean Startup – Eric Ries
Silicon Valley entrepreneur Eric Ries provides a technical approach to creating and managing startups, deriving from his own experiences as founder of 3 startups. Considering his Lean Startup philosophy is followed by hugely successful startup Dropbox and taught at Harvard Business School, this book is well worth a read.
2. Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose – Tony Hsieh
An insightful autobiography from the CEO of online clothes and shoes company Zappos. Tony Hsieh provides an inspiring read on how to transform your customer service department and deliver happiness.
3. The Smarter Startup: A Better Approach to Online Business for Entrepreneurs – Neal Cabage & Sonya Zhang
Cabage & Zhang have joined forces to create an honest and realistic guide to the competitive online business world. From the inception period to optimization of your business for profitability, this book aims to walks you through the entire startup process.
4. The Startup of You – Reid Hoffman & Ben Casnocha
Through this book, Ben Casnocha and LinkedIn cofounder and chairman Reid Hoffman show how to accelerate your career in today’s competitive world. The Startup of You borrows the best practises from the Silicon Valley startup scene and teaches you how to become the CEO of your chosen career.
5. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t – Jim Collins
During the 90s, Jim Collins and his team conducted a management study to determine how a company goes from being good to great. This books documents the progress of 28 companies and defines what makes a great leader – an interesting and timeless read for those starting their own business.
6. The $100 Startup – Chris Guillebeau
Guillebeau has opted out of traditional employment, fortunately he is gifted in turning ideas into income. In this book he teaches you how to lead a life of adventure whilst earning a living. Guillebeau identifies with 1,500 individuals who have built successful businesses from as little as $100!
7. Startup Life – Brad Feld & Amy Batchelor
When thinking about starting your own business, it is also important to think about the consequences it has on your home life. Husband/entrepreneur and wife, Feld & Batchelor, provide an interesting insight into how to lead a balanced life. Using examples from their own lives, this book is an invaluable resource on the highs and lows of being married to a startup entrepreneur.
8. The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur – Mike Michalowicz
Michalowicz takes a no nonsense yet humorous approach to business in this book. He teaches you how to get started in business with little or no money and shows how anyone with an idea and skill can launch a business.
9. Rework – Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson
Rework claims to show you a better, faster, easier way to succeed in business. A quick and easy read that will enlighten you with new tips to apply to your business.
10. The 4 Hour Work Week – Timothy Feriss
This book will show you how a 4 hour working week IS possible. A motivational read that will get you thinking about how you can take control of your career and change your life for the better.
So there we go, hopefully we have given you some reading inspiration to keep you busy this summer! If you have any book recommendations, do share with us and others in the comment box below: