In the world of startups, learning from others' successes and failures can make or break your entrepreneurial journey. With thousands of books out there, finding the right ones is overwhelming. At Eleken, we work with startups for years, so we know the ins and outs. That's why we've gathered the recommendations for best books for starting a business from startup communities, experts, and bestseller lists on Reddit, Goodreads, and Amazon. Whether you're a first-time founder or looking to sharpen your skills, these books will provide invaluable insights.
Top 10 Best Books for Starting a Business According to Reddit Community
When looking for practical advice, Reddit communities like r/startups and r/entrepreneur are full of startup enthusiasts and veterans recommending books on starting a business that have shaped their journeys. Here’s a roundup of the most mentioned titles:
#1. Zero to One by Peter Thiel
Zero to One by Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal is one of the most recommended books for entrepreneurs. It offers a unique perspective on building innovative startups and creating a future that doesn't yet exist. Thiel argues that truly successful businesses don't just improve upon existing ideas (going from 1 to n) but create something entirely new (going from 0 to 1). The book covers everything from Thiel’s philosophy on innovation and competition to his views on monopolies and disruptive technologies.
“Zero to One will teach you to think for yourself, showing you why the next big thing won’t be another social media platform or app.” – u/Slow_Gas8472
#2. The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries is another one of the books for entrepreneurs that pop ups in discussions very often. It presents a revolutionary approach to launching and managing startups, focusing on maximizing efficiency and minimizing waste. Ries introduces the lean methodology, which encourages entrepreneurs to test ideas quickly, validate them through customer feedback, and pivot or persevere based on real data. This iterative process helps businesses avoid spending resources on products that don't meet customer needs.
“Fast iteration and learning are the keys to going from idea to a valued product.” – u/jcurie
#3. The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber
One of the best books on starting a business and a cornerstone for small business owners, The E-Myth Revisited challenges the myth of the entrepreneur as someone who must do it all. Gerber explains why most businesses fail and provides a step-by-step guide to building systems that allow businesses to run efficiently without constant owner intervention. Readers appreciate its practical approach to solving operational challenges and scaling businesses effectively.
“The E-Myth is a game-changer, explaining the biggest challenge in getting a business off the ground as a solo entrepreneur.” – u/Jason_12_15
#4. The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick
A unique guide for entrepreneurs, The Mom Test helps founders learn how to ask potential customers the right questions without getting misleading feedback. Fitzpatrick outlines how to validate ideas and avoid building something no one wants. It’s especially well-regarded for its practical, actionable advice and focus on customer discovery. So if you're looking for books on business ideas, definitely check this one out.
“It teaches you to avoid building something no one needs, by asking the right questions.” – u/Mission-Jellyfish-53
#5. Influence by Robert Cialdini
While not a startup book per se, Influence by Robert Cialdini is a one of the must read books for entrepreneurs. A seminal work in the field of psychology and marketing, exploring the principles that lead people to say "yes" and how to apply them in everyday life and business. Cialdini identifies six key principles of influence that drive human behavior and decision-making. The book provides in-depth insights into the psychology behind persuasion, making it a valuable tool for entrepreneurs, marketers, and leaders.
“Influence is essential for anyone who needs to persuade others – great for selling and marketing.” – u/SveXteZ
#6. The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton Christensen
Next on our list of best startup books, Christensen’s groundbreaking work explains why successful companies often fail when faced with disruptive innovations and how smaller startups can take advantage of these opportunities. Users frequently recommend The Innovator's Dilemma as essential reading for entrepreneurs looking to understand the dynamics of market disruption and how to capitalize on new technologies.
“The Innovator's Dilemma... explains why successful companies often fail when faced with disruptive technologies and how startups can take advantage of these opportunities.” – u/LionGamingGroup
#7. Who by Geoff Smart
One of the oft recommended books on running a business, Who is a hiring guide designed to help entrepreneurs bring in the right people for their venture. Smart breaks down a structured hiring method that minimizes the risks of bad hires. This book is appreciated for its clear, straightforward strategies, especially for startup founders navigating early-stage hiring.
“I’m very surprised Who by Geoff Smart isn’t higher in the list…a must-read for any entrepreneur.” – u/Touch105
#8. Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal
Another one of the startup books constantly mentioned, Hooked dives into the psychology of habit formation, helping product designers and entrepreneurs create products that users keep coming back to. Hooked is highly recommended for those in UX and product development, with readers finding the Hook Model – a framework for creating addictive products – particularly insightful and applicable.
For more info on the topic, check out our list of best UI/UX design books. And, of course, download our ebook "The UX Design Crash Course for Product Owners" – it's 101 you can't miss.
“[the book] helped me massively when designing user experience for our marketplace and finding ways to make it stick.” – u/Mission-Jellyfish-53
#9. How I Built This by Guy Raz
How I Built This by Guy Raz, based on his popular NPR podcast of the same name, features inspiring startup stories from some of the most successful entrepreneurs and innovators in the world. Raz distills the lessons learned from these founders and presents a playbook for aspiring entrepreneurs. The book covers everything from overcoming setbacks to scaling a business and finding purpose through work.
"How I Built This by Guy Raz deserves a spot on this list as well. He offers a really good breakdown in a manner that is easy to digest..." – u/aspiringwriter1189
#10. Venture Deals by Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson
Venture Deals by Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson is an essential guide for entrepreneurs looking to understand the complex world of venture capital. Feld and Mendelson, both experienced investors, break down the intricacies of venture capital deals, offering insights into term sheets, valuations, and negotiations. The book empowers founders to navigate funding rounds with confidence, ensuring they understand the key legal and financial concepts that can make or break a deal.
"If you're interested in understanding the intricacies of venture capital and funding, this book is an excellent resource." – u/LionGamingGroup
9 Best Books for Startups According to Goodreads
Now, let's explore top books for entrepreneurs according to Goodreads' lists and ratings.
#1. How to F*ck Up Your Startup by Kim Hvidkjaer
Goodreads Rating: 4.68
This brutally honest and insightful book by Kim Hvidkjaer takes a deep dive into the common mistakes that lead to startup failures. Rather than focusing on success stories, How to F*ck Up Your Startup outlines the real-life challenges that entrepreneurs face and gives actionable advice on how to avoid falling into the traps that cause 90% of startups to fail. Hvidkjaer combines his personal experiences of failure with scientific research to provide a refreshing perspective for founders.
With humor and no-nonsense advice, this book is perfect for entrepreneurs who want to learn from the mistakes of others before they make their own. The Goodreads community praises it for its honest tone, practical insights, and easy-to-digest lessons.
#2. Nail It Then Scale It by Nathan Furr and Paul Ahlstrom
Goodreads Rating: 4.14
Nail It Then Scale It is a practical guide for startup founders aiming to build a business that can scale successfully. Nathan Furr and Paul Ahlstrom take a no-fluff approach, focusing on the need to "nail" the product-market fit before attempting to scale. The book provides a detailed roadmap for turning innovative ideas into scalable businesses, stressing the importance of validating the product with customers early on, rather than rushing to scale prematurely.
#3. The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz
Goodreads Rating: 4.22
The Hard Thing About Hard Things offers raw, honest insights into the toughest aspects of building a company. Horowitz, a successful entrepreneur, shares his personal experiences and hard-earned lessons, covering everything from leadership challenges to managing layoffs and scaling a company. Goodreads users often praise this book for its authenticity and value to entrepreneurs dealing with real-world difficulties.
#4. Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
Goodreads Rating: 4.47
A memoir by Nike’s co-founder, Shoe Dog tells the inspirational story of Phil Knight’s journey from launching the company with limited resources to turning it into a global brand. Goodreads users love its candid, behind-the-scenes look at the entrepreneurial challenges and triumphs Knight faced while building Nike into one of the world’s most iconic companies.
#5. Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger
Goodreads Rating: 3.98
Contagious by Jonah Berger delves into the science behind why some ideas, products, or content go viral while others don't. Berger, a marketing professor, identifies six key principles — Social Currency, Triggers, Emotion, Public, Practical Value, and Stories — that drive people to share and spread ideas. Backed by research and real-world examples, Contagious reveals the mechanics of word-of-mouth marketing and how entrepreneurs, marketers, and businesses can create products and messages that capture attention and inspire action.
#6. The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
Goodreads Rating: 3.92
The 4-Hour Workweek challenges conventional ideas about work, encouraging readers to design their lifestyles around minimal effort and maximum results. Ferriss provides strategies for automating work, outsourcing tasks, and living life on your own terms. This book is a favorite on Goodreads, especially for entrepreneurs who prioritize lifestyle design alongside business success.
#7. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don’t by Jim Collins
Goodreads Rating: 4.13
Constantly included in the lists of books about startup companies, Collins' work explores what separates great companies from good ones, based on a study of organizations that have made significant leaps in performance. Good to Great is frequently praised on Goodreads for its deep analysis of leadership and strategy, offering entrepreneurs a blueprint for sustainable success.
#8. The Millionaire Fastlane: Crack the Code to Wealth and Live Rich for a Lifetime! by M.J. DeMarco
Goodreads Rating: 4.31
The Millionaire Fastlane by M.J. DeMarco offers a provocative take on traditional wealth-building strategies, challenging the slow lane to financial success most people follow. DeMarco advocates for a “fastlane” approach, which involves entrepreneurship, leveraging high-growth opportunities, and creating scalable systems to achieve wealth quickly. The book provides actionable strategies for breaking free from the 9-to-5 grind and achieving financial independence much sooner than typical retirement plans allow.
#9. Measure What Matters by John Doerr
Goodreads Rating: 3.99
In Measure What Matters, Doerr introduces the Objectives and Key Results (OKR) framework, which helps businesses set and track ambitious goals. Goodreads users recommend this book for its clarity and practical application of OKRs, making it valuable for entrepreneurs looking to drive focus and alignment within their teams.
If you want a deeper dive into the topic, check out our list of best books on SaaS metrics for startup owners.
10 Best Books for Startup Founders on Amazon
Now, we're ready to move on to the top ten books for entrepreneurs according to Amazon ratings and lists.
#1. Start. Scale. Exit. Repeat. by Colin C. Campbell
Start. Scale. Exit. Repeat. is one of the great books for business owners that offers a deep dive into the strategies used by successful serial entrepreneurs to create, grow, and exit multiple businesses. Colin C. Campbell shares practical advice on building startups with a focus on scalability and long-term growth. This book is packed with insights from Campbell’s own 30 years experiences, alongside interviews with other successful entrepreneurs who have repeated the process of launching, scaling, and exiting ventures.
This book is perfect for founders looking to not only build a successful startup but also strategize for a profitable exit. It stands out in the Amazon bestseller lists for offering serial entrepreneurs' perspectives and proven methods for continuous business success.
#2. Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman
If you're looking for top books for business owners and leaders who are looking to gain control of their organizations and achieve long-term success, you're in the right place. In this book, Gino Wickman introduces the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), a comprehensive framework for managing and growing a business. The EOS model helps entrepreneurs clarify their vision, improve team alignment, and create a roadmap for execution.
#3. Never Enough: From Barista to Billionaire by Andrew Wilkinson
Never Enough is the inspiring startup from zero memoir of Andrew Wilkinson, a serial entrepreneur who went from humble beginnings as a barista to becoming a billionaire by building and acquiring multiple businesses. In this book, Wilkinson shares his journey, revealing the challenges, triumphs, and strategies that helped him scale his ventures. The book blends personal anecdotes with actionable business advice, making it both a motivational and educational read.
#4. Million Dollar Weekend: The Surprisingly Simple Way to Launch a 7-Figure Business in 48 Hours by Noah Kagan
In Million Dollar Weekend, Noah Kagan, a well-known entrepreneur and founder of AppSumo, shares his blueprint for launching a 7-figure business in just 48 hours. The book distills Kagan’s years of experience into actionable, straightforward steps that can help entrepreneurs quickly test, launch, and scale business ideas with minimal resources. Kagan emphasizes speed, experimentation, and leveraging existing tools to make rapid progress. Definitely check this one out when you're in need of books about becoming an entrepreneur!
#5. Buy Back Your Time: Get Unstuck, Reclaim Your Freedom, and Build Your Empire by Dan Martell
In Buy Back Your Time, Dan Martell, a successful entrepreneur and coach, provides a powerful framework for reclaiming control over your time and using it more efficiently to scale your business. Martell introduces the concept of "buying back your time" by outsourcing tasks that don’t align with your unique skills or long-term goals, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on growth and high-impact activities. The book offers practical tips on delegation, time management, and building systems that empower entrepreneurs to work smarter, not harder.
#6. BE 2.0 (Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0): Turning Your Business into an Enduring Great Company by Jim Collins
BE 2.0 (Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0) is a comprehensive update of Jim Collins’ original Beyond Entrepreneurship, co-authored with Bill Lazier. This expanded edition combines classic insights on building and leading successful companies with new research and frameworks developed by Collins since the original release. It provides a roadmap for turning a small business into a great company, focusing on leadership, strategy, and creating a lasting legacy. BE 2.0 has earned its place on Amazon’s bestseller list due to Collins’ expertise and his ability to present complex concepts in a practical and actionable way. The book is packed with lessons on how to evolve from a startup to a company that endures through innovation and disciplined leadership.
#7. Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz often pops up in the lists of noteworthy books for running a business. It introduces a revolutionary approach to small business financial management that flips the traditional accounting formula. Instead of the usual "Sales – Expenses = Profit," Michalowicz advocates for "Sales – Profit = Expenses," meaning businesses should prioritize profit from day one. His Profit First system is designed to ensure that entrepreneurs allocate money to profit first, forcing them to manage expenses more efficiently and grow sustainably.
Available in Kindle edition, Profit First has quickly become a favorite on Amazon, especially among small business owners looking for a practical way to regain control of their finances. Michalowicz’s approach is easy to follow and encourages entrepreneurs to implement systems that make their business a profitable venture, rather than a cash-draining struggle.
#8. Buy Then Build: How Acquisition Entrepreneurs Outsmart the Startup Game by Walker Deibel
Buy Then Build by Walker Deibel offers a unique approach to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the power of acquiring an existing business instead of starting one from scratch. Deibel provides a comprehensive guide on how to evaluate, buy, and grow a profitable company through acquisition. He argues that purchasing an established business with a proven track record allows entrepreneurs to bypass many of the challenges of traditional startups, such as product-market fit and initial revenue generation. Deibel demystifies the acquisition process, offering practical advice for identifying the right business, securing financing, and successfully scaling the operation post-purchase.
#9. Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making by Tony Fadell
Build by Tony Fadell, the legendary creator of the iPod and co-creator of the iPhone, offers an inside look at the process of building groundbreaking products and leading successful teams. Fadell takes readers through his personal journey of innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship, sharing unorthodox lessons learned from his time at Apple and Nest. The book covers a wide range of topics, including how to manage product development, lead a team, and build something that truly matters.
Build stands out on Amazon as a must-read for entrepreneurs, product designers, and innovators. Fadell’s candid storytelling, paired with practical advice, makes this book not just about business, but also about the mindset needed to create products that change industries.
#10. High Output Management by Andrew S. Grove
High Output Management by Andrew S. Grove, the former CEO of Intel, is a classic business management book that offers timeless advice on how to run a successful organization. Grove breaks down the essentials of leadership and management, focusing on productivity, performance measurement, and team efficiency. He provides a detailed approach to managing teams, improving workflow, and achieving consistent high output, making the book relevant for both startups and large companies.
Conclusion
Whether you're looking for timeless wisdom or the latest strategies for building your business, these books offer invaluable insights. From Reddit’s startup veterans to Amazon’s bestsellers, you now have a list that covers every angle of startup knowledge.
Ready to take your entrepreneurial journey to the next level? Make the right start with Eleken. Whether you need a clickable prototype to secure a round of funding or an MVP to bring in your first users, get in touch with us to see how much of a difference good design can make!
