What if the secret to launching a successful business isn't just a great idea but knowing which stories and strategies truly work? New business ventures face a daunting landscape where passion alone often falls short. Right now, understanding how entrepreneurs navigate unexpected challenges and leverage scarce resources can be the difference between floundering and flourishing.
Consider Mark Cuban, the Shark Tank investor whose experience as an entrepreneur and investor gives him a keen eye for meaningful guidance. His endorsement of "How I Built This" reflects the value of learning from raw, real-life entrepreneurial journeys. Similarly, Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Facebook, recommends "Blitzscaling" for its insights on rapid growth in today's digital markets. Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, highlights the importance of customer acquisition strategies found in "Traction." Their endorsements reveal practical wisdom rooted in actual business-building, not just theory.
While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific industry, experience level, and goals might consider creating a personalized New Business book that builds on these insights and fits your unique journey.
Best for aspiring entrepreneurs seeking inspiration
Mark Cuban, Shark Investor and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, endorses this book as a source of raw inspiration born from real struggle and perseverance. After immersing himself in "How I Built This," he said, "This book is all about inspiration – told with blood, sweat, and tears. You’ll come away refreshed. And ready to hit the ground running." The stories of entrepreneurs navigating unexpected challenges reshaped his view on building ventures. Joining him, Simon Sinek, author and motivational speaker, reflects on how the book would have simplified his earlier entrepreneurial efforts, highlighting its practical value for new business builders.
Guy Raz—the coauthor of the #1 New York Times bestseller The How and Wow of the Human Body and the author of the business book How I Built This—has been called “one of the most popular podcasters in history” by the New York Times. He is the cocreator and cohost of the award-winning podcast Wow in the World and is the host and creator of the award-winning podcasts How I Built This and The Great Creators. Guy is the father of two boys and lives in Marin County, where he can often be seen hiking in the Marin headlands with his wife, Hannah, and their dog, Kiki.
Drawing from his extensive experience as the host of the acclaimed NPR podcast "How I Built This," Guy Raz offers a rich tapestry of entrepreneurial journeys that reveal the unexpected and often winding paths to business success. You’ll gain insights into the early sparks of ideas, such as turning New Zealand wool into shoes or creating mindfulness apps, alongside practical lessons on securing funding, managing competition, and scaling ventures. This book suits aspiring entrepreneurs eager to understand the real challenges and creative solutions behind building a company. For instance, Raz’s recounting of a sandwich cart vendor transforming leftover pita bread into Stacy's Pita Chips showcases innovation born from resourcefulness rather than traditional business models.
Shep Hyken, a customer service and experience expert known for his keynote speeches and bestselling books, highlights the practical value of this book for new business owners. During his extensive work advising companies, he found Walker's insights especially useful, saying, "Walker is the real deal, and he shares his insights for running a successful company from day one." This endorsement speaks to the book's ability to guide entrepreneurs through the complexities of starting with an acquisition rather than a startup. Alongside him, Taylor Pearson, a principal at Mutiny Fund, notes the timeliness of acquisition entrepreneurship, calling it a "huge opportunity" that Walker explains clearly, helping you get ahead in a changing business landscape.
Walker Deibel is an entrepreneur and investor who has co-founded three startups, acquired seven companies outright, and has consulted or participated in over 100 business transactions. After the success of Buy Then Build, he started an elite accelerator for acquisition entrepreneurs, the Acquisition Lab, to assist business buyers with world-class education and a vetted community. He holds an MBA from the Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis, where he received the Declaration of Accomplishment in Entrepreneurship award from the Skandalaris Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Walker is a certified advisor and former SEC licensed stockbroker. He was awarded Thought Leader of the Year by the Alliance of M&A Advisors for his work on Buy Then Build and its adoption into universities. He lives in St. Louis, Missouri.
When Walker Deibel first realized that most startups struggle or fail, he challenged the conventional path of launching new businesses by focusing on acquiring existing companies instead. You learn how to evaluate profitable businesses, navigate acquisitions, and leverage ownership for financial independence. The book breaks down complex processes like deal flow generation and risk assessment, especially in chapters detailing due diligence and broker relationships. If you want to bypass the uncertainty of startups and build on established foundations, this book offers a different route to entrepreneurship.
#1 Best Seller in Consolidation & Merger
One of 7 Business Books Entrepreneurs Need to Read - Forbes
This AI-tailored book on entrepreneurial journeys develops a systematic approach with frameworks that adapt to your specific business context and goals. The content adjusts based on your industry experience and targeted outcomes to address the nuanced challenges faced by startup founders. Created after you specify your areas of interest and expertise, it bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. The book offers a personalized lens on real entrepreneurial stories, focusing on actionable strategies and leadership skills relevant to your unique path in new business success.
TailoredRead AI creates personalized nonfiction books that adapt to your unique background, goals, and interests. Instead of reading generic content, you get a custom book written specifically for your profession, experience level, and learning objectives. Whether you're a beginner looking for fundamentals or an expert seeking advanced insights, TailoredRead crafts a book that speaks directly to you. Learn more.
This personalized framework on entrepreneurial journeys offers a structured exploration of real startup stories, emphasizing the nuanced challenges and strategies unique to your industry and experience level. The book provides a tailored approach that highlights decision-making processes, resource management, and growth tactics adapted to your specific business context. By cutting through irrelevant advice, it focuses on actionable insights drawn from diverse entrepreneurial narratives, enabling you to understand how others navigate uncertainties and leverage opportunities in launching new ventures. This tailored methodology supports refined learning, encouraging application of proven techniques aligned with your goals for business success.
Michael E. Gerber is widely recognized as the world's foremost small business guru, with over 40 years devoted to helping technically skilled entrepreneurs who struggle with business fundamentals. His work emerged from a clear need: most small business owners excel at their craft but lack the business skills to thrive. Gerber's extensive experience and transformative insights shape this book, illustrating how shifting your focus from working in your business to working on it can lead to predictable growth. This perspective has influenced countless entrepreneurs seeking stability beyond the startup chaos.
Michael E. Gerber is a true legend of entrepreneurship. Inc. Magazine called him 'the World's #1 Small Business Guru.' He started over 40-plus years ago addressing a significant need in the small business market: businesses owned primarily by people with technical skills but few business skills, and no place to go to get meaningful help. Over the years, Michael E. Gerber's companies have helped hundreds of thousands of small business owner-clients to successfully transform their businesses into world-class operations. Mr. Gerber's E-Myth books include: The Most Successful Small Business in the World, Awakening the Entrepreneur Within, The E-Myth Enterprise, The E-Myth Mastery, The E-Myth Manager, along with co-authored E-Myth Vertical books.
Michael E. Gerber, heralded as the world's leading small business expert by Inc. Magazine, draws on four decades of experience helping technically skilled entrepreneurs overcome business challenges. You explore how typical assumptions—like focusing solely on day-to-day operations—actually hinder growth, learning to distinguish between working in your business and on it. The book guides you through the natural evolution stages of a business, applying franchising principles even if you don’t own a franchise. Chapters like the "Turn-Key Revolution" reveal how to systematize your operations for predictability. This book suits anyone committed to transforming technical expertise into a sustainable business, though those seeking quick marketing hacks might find it less fitting.
Guy Kawasaki, Chief Evangelist at Canva and author, turned to this book during his efforts to promote businesses in new ways. He says, "Now there is a better way to promote your business." This perspective shifted how he views marketing by emphasizing audience building before selling products. Alongside him, Jay Baer, a digital marketing author, calls it "the most detailed, honest, and useful book ever written" for turning content into a business. Their endorsements spotlight how Pulizzi’s approach redefines launching a new business by putting content and audience first.
Joe Pulizzi is one of the world's top content marketing authorities. He has founded four companies, including The Tilt for content entrepreneurs, the Content Marketing Institute (CMI), launched dozens of events, including Content Marketing World. Pulizzi is the recipient of the 2014 John Caldwell Lifetime Achievement Award for content marketing from the Content Council.
Content Inc., Second Edition by Joe Pulizzi offers a fresh blueprint for building a business around content before products. Drawing from his deep expertise founding the Content Marketing Institute, Pulizzi guides you through identifying niche topics with little competition, choosing the right channels, and cultivating loyal audiences that naturally lead to sales. You’ll gain concrete methods for expanding content platforms and even planning exit strategies, with new insights on emerging social media like TikTok and Instagram. This book suits creators, entrepreneurs, and marketers ready to rethink traditional product-first models and embrace audience-first business growth.
Mark Cuban, shark investor and Dallas Mavericks owner, praises this book for its clear distinction between 'want-repreneurs' and true entrepreneurs. Having built his own empire, Cuban finds Daymond John's insights invigorating and inspiring. He highlights how John’s journey from selling T-shirts in Queens to global success illustrates the mindset shift needed to turn scarcity into strength. This perspective shifted Cuban’s own thinking about resourcefulness in business. Gary Vaynerchuk echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that 'broke' is a mindset that fuels creativity, a concept John meticulously unpacks. Together, their endorsements frame the book as a must-read for anyone bootstrapping a new business.
“Daymond knows how to make things happen. He knows the difference between a want-repreneur and an entrepreneur, and he lays it out for us in these pages. What a kick it is to read over his shoulder as he shares his hard-won wisdom. This guy built an empire from the streets of Hollis, Queens, and here he compares notes with other visionaries who've also found ways to beat the odds and make it to the top. His new book is so inspiring, so insightful, so invigorating... I'm glad that he took the time to share this mindset with the world”
Daymond John is CEO and Founder of FUBU, a much-celebrated global lifestyle brand, with over $6 billion in sales. He is also one of the country's most visible and respected entrepreneurs as one of the stars of ABC series Shark Tank, and the recipient of over 35 awards including the Brandweek Marketer of the Year and Ernst & Young’s New York Entrepreneur of the Year Award. John stands on that same cutting edge as one of corporate America's leading branding consultants as CEO of the marketing firm Shark Branding. He is also an author of two best-selling books, Display of Power and The Brand Within.
What shifted for experts like Mark Cuban is the idea that being broke isn't just a setback but a powerful starting point. Daymond John, drawing on his experience founding FUBU with a mere $40, reveals how tight budgets force entrepreneurs to innovate resourcefully and connect authentically with customers. You'll learn how scarcity can spark creativity in marketing, product development, and brand building, illustrated by stories such as an 11-year-old's sewing enterprise and a DJ's rise from $100 gigs to global acclaim. If you're launching a venture with limited capital, this book offers clear insight into turning constraints into strategic advantages.
This AI-curated guide to acquisition entrepreneurship provides actionable strategies tailored to your industry and investment experience, created after you specify your areas of interest and goals. It bridges the gap between theory and practical application by offering frameworks that adapt to your unique acquisition challenges. The content balances strategic insights with implementation tactics, recognizing that successful acquisitions require personalized approaches to deal evaluation, negotiation, and integration. This tailored approach ensures the guidance fits your specific context and objectives for buying and growing existing businesses.
TailoredRead AI creates personalized nonfiction books that adapt to your unique background, goals, and interests. Instead of reading generic content, you get a custom book written specifically for your profession, experience level, and learning objectives. Whether you're a beginner looking for fundamentals or an expert seeking advanced insights, TailoredRead crafts a book that speaks directly to you. Learn more.
This AI-tailored book on acquisition entrepreneurship provides a strategic framework for navigating the complexities of buying and growing existing businesses. It focuses on tailored methodologies that align with your industry, experience level, and investment goals, delivering a personalized approach to deal sourcing, valuation, negotiation, and post-acquisition integration. The book addresses practical challenges such as risk assessment, capital structuring, and operational scaling, cutting through irrelevant advice to fit your specific acquisition journey. By combining strategic planning with actionable tactics, it equips you with a customized roadmap to optimize acquisition opportunities and sustainable business growth within your unique context.
Rhett Power, a Forbes.com contributor and experienced entrepreneur, found this guide especially useful during those intense first months when excitement and nerves collide. He explains, "Sometimes, you just need a basic workbook to fuel your entrepreneurial engine. Ken Colwell's guide is exactly the motivational inspiration to lead you through those heady first months when you're driven by excitement and nerves--and maybe a little caffeine." Beyond just motivation, the book’s provision of exclusive additional resources made it a reference he returned to long after his startup was underway. Supporting this view, BookAuthority hails it as "One of the best New Business books for beginners," confirming its value for those just stepping into entrepreneurship.
“Sometimes, you just need a basic workbook to fuel your entrepreneurial engine. Ken Colwell's guide is exactly the motivational inspiration to lead you through those heady first months when you're driven by excitement and nerves--and maybe a little caffeine. I like the fact that Colwell gives readers exclusive access to additional resources after they buy his book. You'll find yourself reaching for Starting a Business QuickStart Guide more times than you expect, even after your startup is already humming.”
Ken Colwell, PhD, MBA, is a seasoned strategic and operational leader with extensive experience working within entrepreneurial ecosystems. He has consulted for hundreds of start-up ventures and is the principal of Innovative Growth Advisors. Currently, he serves as dean of the University of Houston-Victoria School of Business Administration. Previously, he was dean of the School of Business, Public Administration and Information Sciences at Long Island University-Brooklyn. Dr. Colwell holds a PhD in strategic management from the University of Oregon and an MBA from San Francisco State University. He has taught strategic management, entrepreneurship, new venture planning, and entrepreneurial consulting at various educational levels.
Starting a business often feels like navigating a maze without a map, and Ken Colwell’s guide steps in to clarify the path with practical clarity. Drawing from decades of academic leadership and hands-on consulting with startups, Colwell breaks down the complex journey of launching a venture into manageable pieces, from identifying your target customer to crafting a compelling value proposition. You’ll find detailed chapters on pricing strategies, competitive analysis, and even how to write a business plan that speaks both to investors and your own roadmap. This book suits anyone ready to move beyond ideas into tangible business steps, especially beginners craving a structured yet accessible approach that doesn’t overwhelm with jargon.
Fernanda Kelly, Emmy Award-winning actress and CEO of NYTAQ, knows the power of representation in business. After recognizing the lack of tailored resources for bilingual Latina entrepreneurs, she champions "Jefa in Training by Ashley K. Stoyanov Ojeda is a gift to the Latino and bilingual community of women who are ready to make their entrepreneurial dreams a reality. Gracias madrina!" This endorsement reflects how the book serves as a bridge between culture and entrepreneurship, empowering women to take control of their business destinies. Similarly, Ana Flores, founder of We All Grow Latina, praises the book as the guide she wished for at the start of her journey, highlighting its unique cultural relevance and practical blueprint for success.
“Jefa in Training by Ashley K. Stoyanov Ojeda is a gift to the Latino and bilingual community of women who are ready to make their entrepreneurial dreams a reality. Gracias madrina!”
Ashley K. Stoyanov Ojeda is a community-builder, business-development strategist, coach, and socialpreneur. Originally from Queens, NYC, and born to a Mexican mom and French-American father, Ashley's career started in the music industry in 2012, working at major record labels, publishers, and venues. After relocating to Portland, OR, post-college, she created her own network for local womxn songwriters, now a national organization that has been featured in The Recording Academy, called #WomxnCrush Music. Since the rapid growth of her organization, she has dedicated her career to creating opportunities and developing businesses and communities of underrepresented entrepreneurs through her coaching and consulting, and has become known as the Business Hada Madrina (Business Fairygodmother). Ashley joined The Mujerista team in 2020 to help create and grow The Mujerista Network, a digital network dedicated to empowering and celebrating the next generation of Latinas making an impact en la cultura. Ashley currently resides in Portland, Oregon.
When Ashley K. Stoyanov Ojeda discovered the unique challenges Latina entrepreneurs face, she crafted Jefa in Training to fill a gap in startup guidance tailored to bilingual and bicultural women. This book teaches you how to navigate business basics with culturally relevant tools—from drafting LLC agreements to setting up beta groups—while addressing issues like imposter syndrome and micro-aggressions. You’ll find practical worksheets alongside inspiring stories from Latinx businesswomen, making it a hands-on manual for turning your passion into a sustainable venture. If you’re a Latina or woman of color ready to lead your own business, this toolkit speaks directly to your experience and ambition.
#1 New Release in Hispanic American Demographic Studies
Aidan Fitzpatrick, founder at Reincubate and active investor, found this book during his journey of building and scaling startups. He said, "@benbarbersmith Great book, enjoyed the process!" This endorsement comes from someone deeply engaged in product and growth, making his perspective particularly relevant for those focused on new business traction. The book's practical approach to identifying and testing customer acquisition channels helped him refine his strategies amid the complexities of startup growth. Additionally, Simon Høiberg, a software engineer and SaaS co-founder, highlights how the book covers nineteen traction channels essential for marketing and growing SaaS businesses, reinforcing its value for tech entrepreneurs seeking sustainable growth.
Gabriel Weinberg is the CEO & Founder of DuckDuckGo, the Internet privacy company and private search engine. He holds a B.S. with honors from MIT in Physics and an M.S. from the MIT Technology and Policy Program. Weinberg is also the co-author of Super Thinking.
Unlike most startup books that focus heavily on product innovation or fundraising, this one zeroes in on the elusive yet crucial element of gaining traction—consistent customer growth. Gabriel Weinberg, drawing from his experience founding DuckDuckGo and backed by interviews with over forty founders, breaks down nineteen distinct channels for acquiring users and customers. You’ll learn how to identify which channels suit your unique business through the Bullseye framework, which helps prioritize efforts effectively. Chapters detail practical strategies, such as leveraging overlooked offline ads or optimizing email marketing automation, making this a valuable playbook for anyone aiming to grow beyond their initial launch. If your goal is sustainable growth rather than just building a product, this book speaks directly to you.
Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Facebook and founder of LeanIn.Org, brings a unique perspective on the rapid evolution of digital businesses, endorsing this book during an era when scaling quickly became a defining factor for success. She says, "Blitzscaling shows how companies can build value for customers and shareholders in the digital age. A compelling inside view of how the new economy is being built and is transforming global business." This endorsement highlights how the book reshaped her understanding of growth dynamics in tech companies. Following closely, Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, emphasizes the timeliness of the book’s case studies and tools, noting, "The case studies you’re about to explore and the tools you’re about to gain have never been more relevant. This is an ideal moment to be reading this book." Their insights underscore the book’s practical impact on leaders navigating fast-paced markets.
“Blitzscaling shows how companies can build value for customers and shareholders in the digital age. A compelling inside view of how the new economy is being built and is transforming global business.”
Reid Hoffman is an entrepreneur and investor. In 1998, he was a founding Board member and executive vice president of PayPal. In 2003, he co-founded LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional networking service. He has invested in Facebook and Zynga, and is a partner at Greylock Partners. He serves on the boards of several companies and not-for-profits. He hosts Masters of Scale and is a co-author of multiple best-selling books.
What if everything you knew about rapid company growth was wrong? Reid Hoffman, drawing from his experience co-founding LinkedIn and investing in tech giants, argues that scaling a business fast requires entirely different strategies than those used to start it. You’ll learn how to navigate stages of explosive growth, manage evolving company culture, and design business models to sustain relentless expansion, as outlined in chapters detailing the shift from startup to global giant. This book benefits entrepreneurs aiming to transform startups into market leaders and executives facing the challenges of hyper-growth environments.
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Conclusion
These nine books collectively emphasize three themes: learning from authentic entrepreneurial stories, mastering foundational business systems, and strategically scaling growth. If you’re grappling with where to start, "Starting a Business QuickStart Guide" offers a clear roadmap, while "The Power of Broke" inspires you to turn constraints into creativity. For rapid growth, pair "Traction" and "Blitzscaling" to understand customer acquisition and scaling dynamics.
If you want to bridge the gap between universal principles and your unique business challenges, create a personalized New Business book tailored to your specific industry, goals, and expertise. This approach sharpens your focus and saves time.
Ultimately, the path to new business success is rarely linear or easy. These books, backed by expert recommendations, offer diverse perspectives and tools to help you navigate the complex, ever-changing journey of entrepreneurship. Take the insights that resonate and shape your venture with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?
Start with "How I Built This" for inspiring real stories or "Starting a Business QuickStart Guide" for practical steps. These lay a solid foundation before diving into specialized topics.
Are these books too advanced for someone new to New Business?
Not at all. Books like "Starting a Business QuickStart Guide" and "The E-Myth Revisited" are especially beginner-friendly, offering clear guidance for newcomers.
What's the best order to read these books?
Begin with foundational guides like "Starting a Business QuickStart Guide," then explore inspirational stories such as "How I Built This." Follow with growth-focused titles like "Traction" and "Blitzscaling."
Do these books assume I already have experience in New Business?
Most cater to a range of experience levels. For example, "The Power of Broke" and "Jefa in Training" offer perspectives valuable to both novices and experienced entrepreneurs.
Which book gives the most actionable advice I can use right away?
"Traction" delivers practical strategies to acquire customers quickly, while "Buy Then Build" offers concrete steps for acquisition entrepreneurship.
How can I get business advice tailored to my specific industry and goals?
While these expert books provide broad insights, personalized content can complement them perfectly. Consider creating a personalized New Business book tailored to your unique needs for focused, actionable guidance.
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