Top 6 Thoughtful Books for Business Owners

These business books are for entrepreneurs who want a holistic approach to business. They’ll teach you how to scale, rest with intention, profit, invest, and retire often.

Reading business books is one of my favorite parts of being an entrepreneur. I love that I can pour into myself and personally reap the rewards. It’s a stark contrast to life as a 9–5 girlie, trust me.

That said, I don’t love that all business book recommendations are so achievement-focused. Owning a business is about so much more than profit. It’s about taking back your time, financial health, physical wellness, and personal hobbies.

When I first started my business, my biggest struggle was work-life balance. So, that’s why I’m passionate about reading holistically. These books will help you build a business that’s good for your mind, body, soul, and bank account.

Ranking the Top 6 Business Books I Read This Year

$100M Offers by Alex Hormozi

Thanks to Alex Hormozi, I’m now addicted to building “Grand Slam Offers” for my clients. This is a huge upgrade because I used to just write copy. Alex helped me realize that pretty words can only convert so much when my client’s offer is mediocre.

Alex talks about boosting the perceived value of a package by stacking urgency, guarantees, and bonuses to make your offer so good that people feel stupid saying “no.” You’re not necessarily changing the core deliverables of your offer; you’re just building the right strategy around them.

Since reading 100M Offers, I include offer creation in every copy package I sell. This way, I’m 100% confident in the full-picture conversion strategy, not just the copywriting. My clients appreciate this, too, since building an offer is one of those things that’s easier with guidance.

If you’re working to build a social media platform, sell an online course, start your own business, or do any type of sales, this series by Alex is a must-read.

Read 100M Offers

Do Nothing by Celeste Headlee

I grew up with a chronic illness, so finding that balance between rest and work has always been part of my life. That felt especially hard in my early 20s, when there’s so much pressure to climb the corporate ladder. I wanted something different than “the grind,” but I didn’t know exactly what that was until I read Do Nothing.

The brilliant Celeste Headlee unleashes hours of research into the history of corporate America. Her book explains the systems in place that keep us at our desks, and the corporate competition that traps us, despite modern labor laws. You’ll learn about multitasking, the science behind leisure, social media addiction, and how to train your brain out of the corporate grind.

I will say, Do Nothing could be a tough read for someone who has a corporate job. While Celeste provides some ideas to break free from the grind, you can only do so much if you’re contractually obligated. But, if you’re a business owner or shifting to self-employment, it’s a motivating must-read that will shape your daily habits.

It’s taken me a few years to find my work rhythm using Celeste’s recommendations. But thanks to her influence and a lot of personal growth, I only work about 30 hours per week and spend a lot more time with intentional leisure.

Read Do Nothing

Rich Girl Nation by Katie Gatti Tassin

While I read a few different finance books this year, Rich Girl Nation stood out as my favorite. It’s written specifically to women, and it covers issues like gender bias, business ownership, the “hot girl hamster wheel,” and saving for retirement.

I’m still a beginner in the finance space, and every chapter was filled to the brim with applicable information that I use on a daily basis. Katie even includes a breakdown of stocks by risk factor and explains how to diversify your portfolio with global investments. I know finance books don’t always fall under the “business” category, but they should. Genuinely, nothing will make you learn taxes, investments, stocks, and trusts faster than becoming a business owner.

Read Rich Girl Nation

Retire Often by Jillian Johnsrud

This is a new release from Jillian Johnsrud, and I’m obsessed. First of all, I just want to be Jillian when I grow up. She talks about building food forests in her backyard and taking a few months off work to go to therapy or learn how to salsa dance. She’s an icon.

Retire Often is all about taking “mini retirements” throughout your life, instead of waiting for retirement age to enjoy the world. This is an awesome concept for Millennial and Gen Z readers, since we’re not convinced we’ll have a retirement, anyway.

When I picked this book up, I thought it might be out of touch. Mini retirements are a great idea in theory, but they can’t be all that achievable, right? Jillian really proved me wrong. She unpacks real strategies you can use, whether you own a business or work a traditional job. She talks you through how to save up, plan your trip, and take off work every few years. I’m including this in my list of business books because it’s so relevant for entrepreneurs who want to quit “the grind” and live an exciting life.

Read Retire Often

10x Is Easier Than 2x by Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan

This is probably the most “bro-friendly” option on my list of books for business owners (and that’s okay, I’ll give it a pass). 10x Is Easier Than 2x, is awesome for entrepreneurs who want to do more with limited time. It’s all about scaling your business to new heights in the most effective way.

Dan and Benjamin agree that most business owners aim to grow their business by 50% or more each year. But they argue that it takes the same amount of effort and energy to scale on a much larger level (10x, to be exact).

Here’s one concept I love from the book: when you think about growing your business by 10x, you have to find creative solutions. You force your brain to think outside the box — and not just choose the typical next step. I’ve applied this concept to my personal life, too. If I think, “Wow, it would be awesome to travel the world for six months,” I actually force myself to create a concept that would get me there.

Read 10x Is Easier Than 2x

The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson

I read this book when I first started my business, and it’s a classic. Especially when you’re looking at a huge project (starting a business or writing a book), it helps to see it broken up into daily steps. Jeff argues that consistent people are more effective at meeting their goals than people who work in spurts. Going to the gym, eating healthy, and journaling on a daily basis are all examples of this.

The Slight Edge is an awesome concept when you first start your business. But if you’re more experienced, I think there’s a lot to be said for working in seasons, too. I personally love taking time off in the summer for travel and adventures, and then returning full-throttle to my business and habits in the fall and winter. I’d personally love to land somewhere between 10x is Easier than 2x and The Slight Edge.

Read The Slight Edge

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