The Best Books for Women Entrepreneurs, By Women
Starting a business from scratch is difficult, but also a very common occurrence in a world where the most comfortable place is presumably at the top of a company or the only person at a company. Entrepreneurs want to build something great and are willing to hustle for it. But even with all that drive, it’s not wise to start this big adventure without a bit of research. Of course, the best research is analyzing those that have already been down our path and learning what they know, how they got to knowing that, and what barriers they had.
Knowledge is power, and there ain’t no knowledge like a good book. Every self-starter has a story filled with confusion, tears, awakenings, and innovation. Some speak to our technical brain, while others move us in our hearts. Some authors have created an amalgamation of advice so we can learn specific topics from the most successful people. No matter where you find value, these solid books will give you something to bring to your business approach.
Do Cool Sh*t: Quit Your Day Job, Start Your Own Business, and Live Happily Ever After
If there’s book that will make you want to get up and tackle your passion, it’s this one. Miki Agrawal, CEO @ Thinx, has an encouraging and tactical way with words that brings you in. While it’s more of a memoir, her gutsy approach to marketing and selling her businesses proved to be very successful. Need a kick in the butt? This is it!
The Financial Diet
Chelsea Fagan in the past wrote many blogs on ‘adulting’, but things changed when she started The Financial Diet, a blog and video channel that gives valuable bites of financial information to working class women under 30, and from that this book was born. You’ll find narratives of Chelsea’s own experiences dealing with her own personal finances, but what’s valuable is the quotes and advice given by experts: bloggers, CEOs, and moms (because moms make it look so easy!) Don’t skip this one if your finances need some work.
Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead
In a TED talk, Sheryl Sandberg (Facebook COO)discussed the reality of how women unintentionally keep themselves from discovering growth. This book provides research to back up her claims, while also sharing her personal experiences and exploring how women can achieve more using mentorship, negotiating, and taking control in the workplace. This is the most practical book on this list, so don’t pass on Lean In!
Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity
As an entrepreneur, you are naturally in a leadership position. This means that working with others, sometimes a large team, is unavoidable and important to success. Kim Scott (CEO coach @ Dropbox, Twitter) asserts there are two extremes to avoid as a leader: being overly empathetic + unproductive, and being aggressive + unreasonable. Learn how to give feedback, reward those that stand out, and listen while giving challenges, all in 272 pages.
The Art of Asking: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help
Amanda Palmer is a musician that took on the greatest act of asking: starting the most successful music Kickstarter. As a kid, I remember listening to her group and thinking they were very out there, in the most beautiful way. They asked to stay with fans while on tour and had a fun history of busking as statues for money. Asking is something that we feel we can’t do, to where it paralyzes us and keeps us from our full potential. As an entrepreneur, it will be hard to ask for help when what you have isn’t valuable enough to give in return. In times like these, it’ll be super valuable to learn how to ask, without guilt or remorse, but with acceptance and excitement.
We aren’t born with the tools to start something big and be successful. This is either learned through experience or taught through material. In your case it may be both, so don’t be afraid to pick up a book, read what it has to say, and make your own mistakes and lessons. The most important thing is that you use what’s available to you so you can follow your passions.
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