Counting down the Top 10 Small Business Books

“I hate my job,” has to be one of the most common phrases uttered in the English language. Monday morning is dreaded by so many for this very reason.

Me, I’m one of the lucky ones. I actually love what I do. I love sharing productivity hacks and joint ventures ideas with clients and seeing them transform their businesses and lives.

I’m grateful that early on in life I realized that the corporate ladder wasn’t for me and decided to start my business. Tens of thousands of entrepreneurs decide to do the same, which is why, according to a 2010 Census, there were 27.9-million small businesses registered in the United States, compared to just 18,500 companies of 500 employees or more. Included in that total figure are sole proprietorships at 73.2 percent, corporations at 19.5 percent and franchises at 2 percent.

And how about this statistic? 99.7 percent of U.S. employer firms are small businesses. I guess what they say is true, small businesses are the backbone of the United States economy.

With such a big market, you’d think there would be thousands of books to choose from on the topic of small business. However, a quick Amazon search reveals only one book I recognize from the over 450 hundreds of business books I’ve read.

As such, I thought why not count down what I consider the best books on the market for those budding entrepreneurs or people looking to take their business to the next level.

10. Keys To The Vault by Keith Cunningham

This is one of the books I wish I had read before I started my own business. At Tony Robbins’ Business Mastery, Tony shares the stage with Keith Cunningham. ‘Nuff said.

9. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson

This could be the best book for someone who isn’t quite ready to take the plunge into the entrepreneurial world. It’s about finding what’s truly important to you and letting go of everything else. The language may offend some people, but it’s a great book nonetheless.

8. Multiple Streams Of Internet Income by Robert G. Allen

An eye-opening book on just what is possible these days, thanks to the Internet and something every entrepreneur should be thinking about.

7. Rich Woman by Kim Kiyosaki

The only book on the list written by a woman, but it’s a good one. It has two of my favorite quotes of all time, great insight into women and some great advice for people just starting out.

6. The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss

The newest book on the list, it shares so many fabulous resources for entrepreneurs to take control of their businesses. An absolute must-read for any entrepreneur.

5. Getting Everything You Can Out Of All You’ve Got by Jay Abraham

There’s a reason Jay Abraham is an advisor to many of America’s Fortune 500 companies and is recognized as one of the world’s preeminent marketing experts. This book will teach you how to spot hidden assets, overlooked opportunities, and untapped resources around you and will allow you to capitalize on them.

4. The Adweek Copywriting Handbook by Joseph Sugarman

An absolute gem and a personal favorite. It makes my top ten list of best business books ever written. Containing entertaining stories that are easy-to-understand, this book deserves a place on every entrepreneur’s bookshelf.

3. Guerilla Marketing by Jay Conrad Livingston

Written precisely for small businesses, Jay Conrad Levingston created what some people consider to be the bible for small businesses. I would have put it higher, but it’s slightly long.

2. Cashflow Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki

Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad series has gone on to sell millions of copies the world over and for good reason. If you’re looking for easy-to-read business books, you’d be hard-pressed to find better ones. He has a few standouts, but this to me was his crowning masterpiece.

1. How To Win Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie

A classic of personal development, but one that has helped people build their businesses and save their marriages at the same time. Sage simple advice that just plain works. It worked back in 1936 when it was published, and it still works today. That says something.

Honorable mention goes out to The Difference Maker by John Maxwell, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, Influence by Robert Cialdini, and Think And Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.

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