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5 Books Every Entrepreneur Should Read Before Launching a Business
by Jennifer Scott

As fulfilling as it can be, starting a business is among the most challenging career paths you can take. There are countless variables in play at any given time, and if you want to avoid becoming one of the 20% of small businesses that fail in the first year, you must know how to prepare before diving into your venture.

Preparing for the launch of a business involves lots of brainstorming and market research. But if you want to learn about strategies and approaches that have helped many entrepreneurs find success over the years, one of the best things you can do is cuddle up with a top-notch business book. Belladonna’s Books is here to help you on your entrepreneurial journey with these five essential business reads:

Will It Fly? — Pat Flynn

This is one of the most popular business books on the market. In Will It Fly?, Flynn focuses on validating your business idea before you get too deep into the process. The book covers how to form a business that suits your interests, skills, and goals. And it shows you how to determine what your customers are searching for, and even how to sell your product before it’s ready for production.

HR on Purpose — Steve Browne 

In HR on Purpose, Browne connects each concept to a real-life scenario, and the result is an applicable step-by-step guide for building a stellar team. From recruiting to preventing problems to resolving issues, this book uses the author’s own experiences to help you navigate the challenges of human resources.

It’s hard to overstate the importance of implementing sound HR practices when starting (and running) a business. If you feel a little out of depth in this area, consider hiring an HR professional to consult you. Hiring a freelancer may be your best bet for keeping costs down until you’re ready to build your own HR staff.

The $100 Startup — Chris Guillebeau

Money helps when you’re trying to get a business off the ground. But a lack of funding doesn’t have to prevent you from pursuing your dream. In The $100 Startup, Guillebeau discusses 50 case studies of successful entrepreneurs who built businesses with very little startup capital. This is the perfect read for anyone who wants to learn how to convert their passion and expertise into a lucrative career.

How I Built This — Guy Raz

This book is all about how to be an effective business leader. Through straight talk, anecdotes, and descriptive testimonies from some of the world’s top entrepreneurs, Raz shows how a positive mindset is your best companion when building a business. Expect the stories in How I Built This to provide several parallels to The Hero’s Journey, including how to safely leave your comfort zone, using a side door to discover your niche, developing a strong company culture, and practicing everyday kindness with team members.

Atomic Habits — James Clear       

Atomic Habits is essentially a self-help book, but applying its principles can make a significant impact on your business. It discusses how time is one of the most valuable commodities for the entrepreneur and how many business owners struggle to be productive. Obviously, being productive is critical for business growth. Clear explains how to trade in old habits for new, better ones. And he teaches you to rethink your routine and behaviors so that you can position your business to move forward the healthy way.

There are many different ways that you can prepare for entrepreneurship, but reading some of the world’s best business books remains one of the most effective. Look into the books mentioned above for valuable advice and direction for building a strong business out of your passion. And keep researching to find other reads that could prove helpful on your journey!

If you would like to read more helpful content or see what kind of book reviews I offer, visit belladonnasbooks.com today!