Must Reads these Books Before You Launch Your BUSINESS [Video]

Starting a business can be an incredibly rewarding yet challenging journey. Before taking the leap, arm yourself with knowledge from those who have gone before you. There are many great books out there, but a few rise to the top as must-reads for any aspiring entrepreneur.

First up is The Art of the Start by Guy Kawasaki. This practical guide breaks down key lessons like focusing on getting the important details right upfront so mistakes don’t trip you up later. The book covers a wide range of topics from marketing and social media to funding options. It emphasizes that entrepreneurship is a state of mind, not just a job title.

Next is The Founder’s Dilemmas by Noam Wasserman which examines how founders succeed and fail through real world examples. It focuses on knowing when to maintain control and when to utilize outside resources. This can help you avoid common pitfalls that sink startups.

For nuts and bolts advice on getting up and running, check out Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months by Melinda Emerson. She lays out actionable monthly steps to go from idea to launch covering everything from making a business plan to investing in graphic design.

Of course, most startups fail. But The Lean Startup by Eric Ries shows how to build companies that evolve with the needs of consumers to tilt the odds of success in your favor through efficient methodology. This means changing the way products are launched and how companies are structured.

Before diving in headfirst, evaluate if your idea will fly with Will It Fly? by Thomas McKnight. His 44-point assessment helps determine if your idea is viable by analyzing factors like target customers, competition levels, and your readiness to take on a new venture.

Share your voice and get heard with Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook by Gary Vaynerchuk. He examines how to create tailored content for specific social platforms to drive engagement. Success requires understanding what your audience wants and delivering it directly to them.

For inspiration on business leadership, NBA legend Magic Johnson applies lessons from the court in 32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business. He covers practical steps from writing business plans to hiring teams focused on empowering community growth. His positive attitude jumps off the pages.

Restauranteur Danny Meyer explores excellent hospitality and management in Setting the Table. His advice on taking care of customers, being open to feedback, and understanding people’s needs applies across industries. Know your customers personally and serve them best.

Demystify small business finances with Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits! by Greg Crabtree. Through simple instructions and real world cases, he illustrates how watching the big picture indicators will help avoid money issues and grow strategically.

If you’re just starting out, The One Page Business Plan for the Creative Entrepreneur by Jim Horan offers clarity. He provides straightforward exercises to help focus your vision and plan for collaborating with others which gets essential as you scale.

And don’t let obstacles stop you. As TV host Jeffrey Hayzlett writes in Think Big, Act Bigger, the most dangerous move is not moving at all. Study how successful entrepreneurs frame limitations and take consistent action toward achieving big goals.

While there are many great books, these offer actionable advice for getting up and running as well as leading, managing, and sustaining growth. They reveal common pitfalls and keys to startup success across industries. If you’re going to invest time and money into a new venture, first invest in knowledge from these must-reads. Arm yourself for the challenges ahead and realize the entrepreneurial dream. The reward will be sweet. But first, do the homework. Read these books before launching your business.