10 Must Read Books for Any Creative Business Owner

Running a business is tough and can feel overwhelming at times. Most of us when we start out, run our business alone. This means we wear many different hats. We are CEOs, marketers, creators, admin, tax gurus and sooooooo much more. Not to mention many of us do not have any official training on how to run a successful business. Add that to the mile-long list we have and let's just say the weight of it all can feel crushing.

So what's the secret? We see fellow entrepreneurs out there killing it in the entrepreneurial world, and we think to ourselves how the heck are they doing it all?! While I believe there are a plethora of reasons these people are kicking-ass and taking names in their entrepreneurial journey, I'd like to talk about one that has dramatically influenced my journey.

READING. Most successful people will tell you the importance of continually growing your mind. There are many ways to do this such as conferences, workshops, and podcasts. But, nearly every single successful entrepreneur will tell you the importance of daily reading. At the start of 2018, I decided I would challenge myself to read at least two books a month. I am happy to say that I have been able to keep up with this goal. I have put together a list of must read business books for any new business owner. These books range in topic but have greatly inspired the way I approach my business!

10 Must Read Books for Any Creative Business Owner

1. The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles

The Science of Getting Rich is an excellent book to have on hand to listen and re-listen to as you start your journey as a new business owner. Many of us grow up with a negative relationship with money. To run a successful business changing the way we interact with money is imperative. Wallace D. Wattles will expand your mind on the topic of money in new and significant ways that can dramatically influence your life for the better.

2. You are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero

Jen Sincero is my hero. Her humor and authenticity will leave you feeling like anything is possible. You are a Badass at Making Money helps readers think about their relationship with money. It will have you reflecting on how we create our money story using limiting self-beliefs instilled in us from a young age. Struggling our whole life to have just enough to survive is not the narrative we have to live. Jen Sincero shares her struggles with money and how she overcame them to become a successful money making machine!

3. The Great Leap by Gay Hendricks

Probably one of my all time favorites is Gay Hendrick's The Great Leap. Gay Hendricks delves into the realm of limiting self-beliefs, self-sabotage, and our resistance to feeling joy. He pulls back the curtain on why many of us can't feel sustained joy for long periods of time. Or why many of us experience bouts of emotional turmoil after experiencing something wonderful in our life. This book will change the way you embrace your life and have you wanting to take the leap!

4. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

Creatives, entrepreneurs, and business owners can all relate when we talk about resistance. Resistance is that feeling we all get when we know there is something we must do, but we can't quite get the energy to do it. So we find every reason not to. Steven Pressfield talks about how resistance is the enemy to every creator, and he gives suggestions on how to fight against it. This book is an absolute must-read for any new business owner.

5. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Big Magic is all about embracing our creativity and allowing the ideas to flow through us. Elizabeth Gilbert talks about the importance of following through with the ideas that come to us. She also talks about how important it is to not kill our creativity through depending solely on it to bring us financial success. If you need some encouragement and insight on your creative journey this is an excellent read.

6. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

The Four Agreements will have you completely altering the way you interact with yourself and those around you. If you struggle with perfection, feeling responsible for other peoples behavior, or you just need a new way of looking at things in your life this is the book to read.

7. Design Your Day by Clair Diaz-Ortiz

As a Silicon Valley Innovator and an early employee of Twitter, Clair Diaz-Ortiz understands the importance of efficiency and productivity. She outlines clear actions steps that will help you conquer that never-ending do-list while also making the best out of your time and life.

8. Marketing A Love Story by Bernadette Jiwa

In the age of mass consumption and endless options, the task of standing out and mattering to potential customers is harder than ever. Bernadette Jiwa compiles short reads into a comprehensive book that will have you asking yourself the right questions that will get you thinking about how you can matter to your customers.

#9. The Law of Divine Compensation by Marianne Williamson

Marianne Williamson will have you thinking about the importance of creating from love and within love. Her book challenges the ever-growing scarcity mindset by challenging reader's to think about God's love and promise for prosperity in a new way. One that will have you questioning why we all seem to believe that we must all suffer in order to be good.

#10. Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable by Seth Godin

Seth Godin, the pioneer of permission marketing, has written 18 best sellers and has a wildly successful blog. In his book Purple Cow he stresses the importance of creating an extraordinary product or service. This is a great book to read to understand the changing tides of marketing and the importance of creating something spectacular.