If you're thinking about starting a small business, or have recently undertaken any entrepreneurial venture, you might be looking to expand your bookshelf. And since we're all about saving small business owners time here at Webs, we thought we'd offer up some of the best, most inspiring, and most helpful titles we've read over the years. We hope you find it helpful, and please leave your own recommendations in the comments at the end!
Title: The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future
Author: Chris Guillebeau
Why I recommend it: There are few books that I've read as inspirational and as actionable as The $100 Startup. The focus of this book is not how to found the next Google, Facebook or Apple. Instead, it facilitates the creation of time and money in order to pursue a meaningful lifestyle. I only read this book once, but reviewing it here has prompted me to dust it off and read it again. It's hands down one of the best books that I've read. - Collin T., Search Marketing Specialist
Title: The PayPal Wars: Battles with eBay, the Media, the Mafia, and the Rest of Planet Earth
Author: Eric M. Jackson
Why I recommend it: This is the story of one of the most important businesses of our generation. Not only did PayPal revolutionize Internet commerce but the company's culture led to employees that would go on to spawn several additional wildly successful and impactful tech companies. - Haroon M., Webs Co-Founder, VP of Innovation
Title: The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses
Author: Eric Riesis
Why I recommend it: A must-read for anyone who is starting a business or is trying to improve their decision making skills. Eric shares personal stories on how a lean approach has been successful for his startup and what he's learned along the way. - Alex M., Product Manager
Title: The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
Author: Malcolm Gladwell
Why I recommend it: Malcolm Gladwell does a great job of gathering data from many different sources to making sense of seemingly random trends. - Zeki M., Webs Co-Founder, Director of Engineering
Title: The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
Author: Charles Duhigg
Why I recommend it: This book offers great insight into how humans form habits, and how we can use that knowledge to create new habits. Good stuff to know for business owners who may be trying to create purchasing habits for others, as well as for their own self-improvement. - Idris M., Webs Co-Founder and Senior Software Architect
Title: The Alchemist
Author: Paulo Coelho
Why I recommend it: I love this book for a couple of reasons. First, it is an incredibly easy read. I read the entire book in a plane ride. Next, it is incredibly deep and philosophical, but you don't realize it until the very end. The story forces you to reflect on being true to yourself; which can leave you (depending on who you are) with clarity or more questions about how you'd like to continue your personal and professional journey through life. It is great for newbie entrepreneurs or small business owners who want some confirmation that taking the risk is worth it all in the end (I think you'll surprise yourself with your answer once you finish the book!). - Deanna Z., Content Marketing Coordinator
Title: Show Me the Numbers: Designing Tables and Graphs to Enlighten
Author: Stephen Few
Why I recommend it: This book serves as a great introduction to design and effective communication of data using graphs and tables. Though it can be a little academic in its approach, this book is generally easy to understand and has great visual examples. - Ben A., Lead Analyst
Title: Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story
Author: Arnold Schwarzenegger
Why I recommend it: I was a little surprised at myself for buying this audiobook, and am even more surprised to be recommending it as a great read for entrepreneurs. But, no matter your personal or political feelings about Schwarzenegger, the way he achieved every goal he set for himself by sheer force of will is pretty inspiring. Entrepreneurs will enjoy hearing his tales of starting and growing unexpected businesses from scratch. Tip: the audiobook features a couple of chapters read by the author, but the body of the book is read by a professional voice actor. - Sarah M., Product Marketing Manager