Are you thinking about starting a business in 2023? If so, you’re not alone. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are over 30 million small businesses in the United States.
If you’re ready to take the plunge and become your own boss, you’ll need to do your homework first. Luckily, there are plenty of great books out there to help you get started.
Here are eight of the best books for starting a business in 2023:
1. The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries
If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to starting a business, look no further than The Lean Startup. In this book, Eric Ries lays out a step-by-step process for creating and launching a successful startup.
Ries explains how to validate your business idea, build a minimum viable product, and get customers to use and love your product. He also covers important topics like how to raise money, hire people, and scale your business.
2. The Millionaire Fastlane: Crack the Code to Wealth and Live Rich for a Lifetime by M.J. DeMarco
In The Millionaire Fastlane, M.J. DeMarco debunks the popular “get rich slow” advice and offers a new blueprint for building wealth.
DeMarco argues that the only way to become a millionaire is to start your own business. He provides practical advice for doing just that, including how to find a profitable business idea and turn it into a reality.
3. The Startup Owner’s Manual: The Step-By-Step Guide for Building a Great Company by Steve Blank and Bob Dorf
The Startup Owner’s Manual is a step-by-step guide to building a successful startup, from generating a great business idea to raising capital and scaling your business.
The book is co-authored by Steve Blank, who is widely considered to be the godfather of the startup movement, and Bob Dorf, a serial entrepreneur and startup advisor.
4. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
How to Win Friends and Influence People is a classic self-help book that has sold over 15 million copies worldwide.
In the book, Dale Carnegie shares his tried-and-true methods for winning friends and influencing people. He teaches readers how to listen to others, make them feel important, and get them to agree with you.
While the book was originally published in 1937, its lessons are just as relevant today for entrepreneurs who need to build strong relationships with customers, partners, and investors.
5. The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber
In The E-Myth Revisited, Michael E. Gerber reveals why most small businesses fail and what you can do to avoid the same fate.
Gerber argues that the biggest problem with most small businesses is that they’re started by “technicians” who are good at what they do but don’t know anything about running a business. As a result, these businesses quickly become overwhelmed and eventually fail.
To avoid this trap, Gerber recommends that aspiring entrepreneurs learn how to run a business before starting one. This book will show you how.
6. The Innovator’s Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail by Clayton M. Christensen
The Innovator’s Dilemma is a must-read for any entrepreneur who wants to avoid the pitfalls of success.
In the book, Clayton M. Christensen explores why large, established companies often fail when new technologies come along. He uses real-world examples to illustrate his points and provides insights that any entrepreneur can use to stay ahead of the curve.
7. The Outsiders: Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success by William N. Thorndike
In The Outsiders, William N. Thorndike tells the stories of eight successful CEOs who bucked the conventional wisdom and achieved remarkable results.
Thorndike argues that the key to these CEOs’ success was their willingness to think differently and make bold decisions. He provides specific examples of how they achieved their goals and offers lessons that any entrepreneur can apply to their own business.
8. Pay It Forward: How One Simple Idea Can Change Your Life and Maybe Even the World by Catherine Ryan Hyde
In Pay It Forward, Catherine Ryan Hyde tells the story of Trevor McKinney, a young boy who comes up with an idea to make the world a better place.
Trevor’s idea is simple: instead of paying back favors, you pay them forward by doing something nice for someone else. As Trevor’s idea catches on, it starts to change the lives of everyone it touches.
This book is an uplifting story that will inspire you to make a difference in the world.
If you’re ready to start a business in 2023, these eight books will give you the information, inspiration, and guidance you need to be successful.
