10 Best Books Every Entrepreneur Must Read in 2025

1. The E-Myth Revisited

Written by Michael E. Gerber, this book is crucial for anyone who’s ever dreamed of turning their passion into a successful business. Gerber cuts through the romantic notion of entrepreneurship and exposes the harsh realities many small business owners face.

The core premise? Most entrepreneurs are actually technicians suffering from an entrepreneurial seizure—meaning they’re great at doing the technical work but struggle with actually running a business. Gerber breaks down why so many small businesses fail and provides a blueprint for creating a systematic, scalable enterprise.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the day-to-day grind of your business, this book is your ticket out. Gerber challenges you to think like a true entrepreneur—someone who builds a machine, not just performs a job. It’s not just about doing great work; it’s about creating a business that can thrive independently of your constant input.

Key Notes for Entrepreneurs:

• Learn the difference between working in your business versus working on your business
• Understand how to create systems that can operate without constant personal intervention
• Develop a strategic approach to building a business that can eventually run without you

2. The Lean Startup

If you’re an entrepreneur looking to build a business that actually survives in today’s rapid-fire market, Eric Ries’s “The Lean Startup” isn’t just a book—it’s your strategic playbook. Ries revolutionized how startups approach product development and business growth, challenging traditional notions of business planning.

The core philosophy? Don’t build something customers might want—build something they definitely need, and validate that need through real-world testing. Ries introduces the concept of the “build-measure-learn” feedback loop, which transforms how entrepreneurs approach product development.

Imagine spending months developing a product, only to discover nobody wants it. That’s the nightmare scenario Ries helps you avoid. By creating quick, low-cost prototypes and getting immediate market feedback, you can save time, money, and potentially your entire business.

Key Notes for Entrepreneurs:

• Stop wasting time on elaborate business plans that become obsolete
• Learn to test your business assumptions quickly and cheaply
• Develop a culture of continuous improvement and customer feedback
• Understand how to pivot when your initial assumptions prove incorrect

3. The Goal

Written by Eliyahu M. Goldratt, “The Goal” might seem like an unusual business book because it’s presented as a novel. But don’t let that fool you—it’s a foundational text on operational management and process improvement that can transform how you think about efficiency.

The book follows Alex Rogo, a plant manager struggling to save his manufacturing facility from closure. Through a series of mentorship conversations, Goldratt introduces the Theory of Constraints—a revolutionary approach to understanding and improving business processes.

Key Notes for Entrepreneurs:

• Identify and focus on your business’s primary constraints
• Understand that improving overall system performance matters more than optimizing individual components
• Learn to think systematically about business challenges

4. Traction

Gabriel Weinberg and Justin Mares’ “Traction” is the ultimate playbook for startup growth that most entrepreneurs wish they’d read earlier. It breaks down the mystery of customer acquisition into a systematic, actionable approach.

The book’s core genius is the “Bullseye Framework”—a method for systematically testing and identifying the most effective marketing channels for your specific business. Instead of throwing money at random marketing tactics, you’ll learn how to methodically discover what actually works for your unique venture.

Weinberg and Mares argue that most startups die not because of product issues, but because they can’t consistently acquire customers. This book is your antidote to that common startup fatal flaw.

Key Notes for Entrepreneurs:

• Develop a repeatable framework for finding and acquiring customers
• Learn to test multiple marketing channels strategically
• Understand how to measure and optimize your customer acquisition efforts

5. Start With Why

Written by Simon Sinek, “Start With Why” is a groundbreaking exploration of leadership and inspiration that goes far beyond traditional business advice. Sinek introduces the powerful concept of the “Golden Circle”—a framework that explains why some leaders and organizations inspire while others struggle to communicate effectively.

The core premise is simple yet profound: Great leaders and businesses don’t just tell you what they do, they explain why they do it. This fundamental shift in thinking can transform how you approach your business, marketing, and personal leadership.

Key Notes for Entrepreneurs:

• Understand the critical importance of purpose-driven business strategy
• Learn how to inspire your team and customers through authentic communication
• Discover how to differentiate your business beyond just product features

6. Shoe Dog

Penned by Nike founder Phil Knight, “Shoe Dog” is more than a business memoir—it’s a raw, honest journey through the early days of building one of the world’s most recognizable brands. Knight pulls back the curtain on the messy, often terrifying process of entrepreneurship, sharing vulnerabilities that most business books gloss over.

What makes this book extraordinary is its unflinching honesty. Knight doesn’t present himself as a superhuman entrepreneur, but as a real person navigating impossible challenges, making mistakes, and ultimately creating something extraordinary.

Key Notes for Entrepreneurs:

• Embrace uncertainty and persistence as core entrepreneurial traits
• Understand that success is rarely a straight line
• Learn the importance of building a passionate, committed team

7. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Stephen Covey’s classic isn’t just a business book—it’s a comprehensive guide to personal and professional effectiveness. Written decades ago, its principles remain startlingly relevant in today’s complex business landscape.

Covey’s approach goes beyond tactical advice, offering a holistic framework for personal development that directly impacts your business success. It’s about becoming the type of leader who can consistently deliver results.

Key Notes for Entrepreneurs:

• Develop a proactive mindset that focuses on what you can control
• Learn to prioritize effectively with the “important vs. urgent” matrix
• Understand the power of synergy and collaborative thinking

8. How to Win Friends and Influence People

Written by Dale Carnegie, this timeless classic is less about manipulation and more about genuine human connection—a critical skill for any entrepreneur navigating complex business relationships.

Carnegie’s groundbreaking work breaks down the art of communication, showing how understanding human psychology can transform your professional interactions. The book isn’t just about networking; it’s about creating meaningful connections that can open doors you never thought possible.

Key Notes for Entrepreneurs:

• Master the art of active listening and genuine interest in others
• Learn how to handle people without creating resentment
• Understand the power of appreciation and sincere acknowledgment
• Develop communication skills that can turn potential conflicts into opportunities

9. 1 Page Marketing Plan

Allan Dib’s book is a manual for entrepreneurs who feel overwhelmed by complex marketing strategies. The premise? Condensing your entire marketing approach into a single, actionable page.

What sets this book apart is its ruthless practicality. Dib cuts through the marketing noise, providing a framework that’s both comprehensive and refreshingly straightforward. It’s like having a marketing consultant distill years of expertise into a concise, actionable guide.

Key Notes for Entrepreneurs:

• Simplify your marketing strategy to its most essential components
• Learn to target your ideal customer with precision
• Develop a systematic approach to lead generation and conversion
• Understand how to create a marketing funnel that actually works

10. Atomic Habits

James Clear’s “Atomic Habits” isn’t only a productivity book—it’s a method for systematic personal and professional transformation. Clear reveals how tiny, consistent changes can lead to remarkable results.

The book’s revolutionary approach lies in its focus on systems over goals. Instead of fixating on massive, intimidating objectives, Clear shows how creating the right habits can make success almost inevitable.

Key Notes for Entrepreneurs:

• Understand how small habits compound into significant achievements
• Learn systems for creating lasting behavioral change
• Develop strategies for overcoming plateaus and maintaining motivation
• Create environments that naturally support your business and personal growth