15 Entrepreneur Books That Will Motivate Any Businesswoman  

 

For women in business, finding motivation, inspiration, and practical advice can be crucial to navigating the entrepreneurial landscape. Thankfully, there is a wealth of books written by successful women entrepreneurs that offer insights, strategies, and encouragement. These books not only provide valuable business lessons but also empower women to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. In this article, we will explore 15 entrepreneur books that are sure to motivate any businesswoman, offering a blend of personal stories, professional advice, and actionable tips for success. Whether you’re just starting your entrepreneurial journey or looking to take your business to the next level, these books are sure to inspire and empower you.

1. “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead” by Sheryl Sandberg

• Overview: Sheryl Sandberg, the COO of Facebook, has crafted this groundbreaking book to discuss the challenges that women face in the professional world. The book encourages women to pursue their ambitions, and features practical advice on negotiation techniques, mentoring, and building a satisfying career.
• Key Lessons: It emphasizes the importance of ‘leaning in’—being present and involved in ambition-driven scenarios. It also addresses leadership issues and the importance of communication within the workplace.
• Impact: “Lean In” has started a movement of empowerment and opened dialogues about gender equality in business across the globe.

2. “#GIRLBOSS” by Sophia Amoruso

• Overview: Sophia Amoruso shares her journey from hitchhiking and dumpster diving to founding the popular fashion brand Nasty Gal, becoming a CEO by her mid-20s. The book is both a memoir and a manifesto for unconventional women seeking a unique path to success.
• Key Lessons: This book highlights the importance of owning one’s differences and using them as strengths. It is especially influential for millennials and serves up a blend of zesty advice on life and business.
• Impact: “#GIRLBOSS” is heralded for supporting women’s autonomy in creating their personal and professional paths.

3. “Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.” by Brené Brown

• Overview: This book by Brené Brown focuses on developing brave leaders and courageous cultures. It is a research-driven workbook that uses real-world examples to teach how to lead with empathy and connection.
• Key Lessons: Critical focuses are vulnerability in leadership, empathy, and supporting innovation. It teaches women to embrace vulnerability as a source of courage.
• Impact: Brown’s “Dare to Lead” reinforces the idea that leadership is not about titles or prestige, but about the willingness to step up, put yourself out there, and lean into courage.

4. “The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance—What Women Should Know” by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman

• Overview: This book combines groundbreaking research in genetics, behavior, cognition, and gender to demonstrate how confidence impacts leadership. It specifically tackles the confidence gap between men and women.
• Key Lessons: The book illustrates actionable tips on breaking out of comfort zones, silencing self-doubt, and taking risks. It’s a guide to understanding and improving self-assurance in business.
• Impact: It has sparked important discussions on how women can achieve their career goals by balancing self-doubt with a confident mindset.

5. “Women Who Launch: The Women Who Shattered Glass Ceilings” by Marlene Wagman-Geller

• Overview: Wagman-Geller profiles the inspirational stories of women who have pioneered various fields, from entrepreneurs to artists and scientists. These women are celebrated for their tenacity and determination in breaking the glass ceiling.
• Key Lessons: The book offers anecdotes of overcoming adversity and showcases the power of persistence. The stories serve as motivational pilots for women aiming to chart their own paths.
• Impact: It’s an emotional and motivational read that amplifies the contributions of women trailblazers, encouraging current and future generations to dare greatly and persist fearlessly.

6. “The Myth of the Nice Girl: Achieving a Career You Love Without Becoming a Person You Hate” by Fran Hauser

• Overview: Fran Hauser delivers advice for women who struggle with the balance between being assertive and being considered nice. Drawing from her own experiences in corporate America, she dismantles the negative connotations associated with women who assert themselves in their professional lives.
• Key Lessons: Key insights include strategies for effective communication, setting boundaries, and negotiating without compromising kindness.
• Impact: The book challenges traditional stereotypes and encourages a redefinition of what it means to be a leader and a woman in business.

7. “Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder” by Arianna Huffington

• Overview: After experiencing a personal wake-up call, Arianna Huffington delved into the realm of what it means to truly succeed. She proposes that success is not solely about money and power but also about well-being, wisdom, and wonder.
• Key Lessons: “Thrive” offers insights into managing time, mindfulness, and the importance of disconnecting from technology to reconnect with oneself.
• Impact: This book not only shifts the narrative about success but also serves as a guide for building a richer, more fulfilling life.

8. “How Women Rise: Break the 12 Habits Holding You Back from Your Next Raise, Promotion, or Job” by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith

• Overview: Co-authored by leadership coach Sally Helgesen and best-selling author Marshall Goldsmith, this book identifies specific behaviors that women inadvertently engage in that can hinder their career advancement.
• Key Lessons: The authors provide practical solutions for overcoming common pitfalls, such as overvaluing expertise, building rather than leveraging relationships, and failing to enlist allies from day one.
• Impact: It’s an indispensable resource for any woman looking to understand and overcome the subtle yet significant barriers to her professional growth.

9. “Own It: The Power of Women at Work” by Sallie Krawcheck

• Overview: Sallie Krawcheck, a former Wall Street powerhouse, provides her insights into the unique strengths that women can bring to the workplace, and how harnessing these can lead to major career gains.
• Key Lessons: A robust discussion on financial acumen, networking, and the advantages of diversity in leadership. Krawcheck encourages women to leverage what they inherently do well.
• Impact: “Own It” redefines empowerment and suggests that the future of business depends on women fully owning their strengths.

10. “Bossypants” by Tina Fey

• Overview: Although slightly veering from traditional business books, Tina Fey’s “Bossypants” blends humor with memoir to deliver potent truths about leadership, success, and balancing personal life with professional pursuits.
• Key Lessons: Through personal anecdotes and comedic insights, Fey discusses the challenges of rising to the top in a predominantly male industry and how humor can be a powerful tool for communication and leadership.
• Impact: This book is a testament to the power of resilience and the significant impact of leading with authenticity and humor.

11. “Girl, Stop Apologizing: A Shame-Free Plan for Embracing and Achieving Your Goals” by Rachel Hollis

• Overview: Rachel Hollis has crafted a motivational read that aims at debunking the societal expectations that hinder women from reaching their potential.
• Key Lessons: The book is a call to arms for women to stop talking themselves out of their dreams. Hollis encourages setting high goals, embracing a results-oriented lifestyle, and shedding socially imposed guilt.
• Impact: The book empowers women to live assertively, pursue ambitions without apology, and redefine their personal measures of success.

12. “More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are (No Matter What They Say)” by Elaine Welteroth

• Overview: Part memoir, part manifesto, Elaine Welteroth, a groundbreaking journalist and former editor-in-chief at Teen Vogue, explores what it means to come into your own, on your own terms.
• Key Lessons: Welteroth discusses the challenges of breaking barriers in both life and career, emphasizing the importance of stepping into roles traditionally not held by women, especially women of color.

• Impact: This book not only tells the personal journey of Elaine but also serves as an inspiring example for women to follow, emphasizing the importance of carving out one’s personal and professional space boldly and authentically.

13. “In the Company of Women: Inspiration and Advice from over 100 Makers, Artists, and Entrepreneurs” by Grace Bonney

• Overview: Grace Bonney compiles an inspiring array of interviews and advice from over 100 female entrepreneurs, artists, and business leaders from diverse backgrounds and industries.
• Key Lessons: These stories highlight the vast array of paths to success, underlying themes of resilience, creativity, and the importance of support networks.
• Impact: This collection serves to motivate and guide women by showcasing the myriad ways they can achieve personal and professional fulfillment.

14. “Becoming” by Michelle Obama

• Overview: Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s memoir provides a deeply personal recount of her life, focusing on the elements that shaped her—from her childhood in Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work to her time spent at the world’s most famous address.
• Key Lessons: Michelle discusses the power of self-belief, the impact of upbringing on personal achievement, and the importance of striving for what one believes in.
• Impact: “Becoming” is a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, which not only provides life lessons but also inspires women to own their stories and potential.

15. “Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less” by Tiffany Dufu

• Overview: Tiffany Dufu’s “Drop the Ball” challenges the myth of the ‘superwoman’ who needs to do everything perfectly. Dufu shares her own experiences and those of other women to show how “dropping the ball” on certain tasks can lead to greater success and fulfillment.
• Key Lessons:

Delegation: Learning to trust others with responsibilities can free up time and energy to focus on what truly matters. 

Prioritization: Identifying what is most important in one’s personal and professional life can help alleviate the pressure to perform every task.

Self-Acceptance: It involves understanding and accepting that one cannot do everything perfectly, which is a critical step in personal growth.

• Impact: The book is a revelation for many women who feel overwhelmed by attempting to meet unrealistic expectations. It provides a framework for building a more sustainable, productive, and balanced life.

Conclusion

These curated books offer a treasure trove of wisdom for women in business, addressing diverse challenges from multiple perspectives. They not only illuminate the unique paths to leadership and personal fulfillment but also serve as practical guides for navigating the corporate landscape. From mastering the art of delegation in “Drop the Ball” to embracing personal stories in “Becoming,” each book encourages women to redefine success on their own terms, balance professional and personal life, and leverage their inherent strengths. These readings are invaluable resources for any woman aiming to inspire, lead, and make a significant impact in her chosen field.