With the uncertainty of today’s economic climate, many people are turning to entrepreneurship at a rate like never before. In fact, according to the United States Census Bureau, In July 2020, the number of people that submitted applications to start a business in the United States reached an all-time high of 551,657 00—which was an increase of 95% compared to July of 2019.
What was once reserved only for the few people that were bold and fortunate enough to get a loan from a bank or their family to bet on their on their dream, is now an option available to anyone with internet access and a good idea.
And while more people are happily jumping into the game of entrepreneurship; there are still many more anxiously watching from the sideline with hopes of one day playing for their own team (sports terminology... not literally).
I believe that the best thing that you can do for someone is help them to make their life better.
So, if you know someone that constantly talks about starting their own business one day; but haven’t done it yet and doesn't know where to start. Or, they just need an extra nudge to get them over their hesitancy and into the game—here’s five life-changing books to give them as a gift that'll help inform and inspire them to actually become the entrepreneur they want to be—which will definitely make their lives better.
1. The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster by Darren Hardy
The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster, is a book by author and entrepreneur Darren Hardy, that focuses on getting people to jump on-board of the exciting ride of entrepreneurship. One of the best things about this book is that it covers a variety of steps that comes along with being an entrepreneur.
From dealing with friends and family members that will try to discourage you from following your dream of being an entrepreneur. To how to acquire customers. To which kind of people to hire. Even how to be a great leader—The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster covers it all.
But by far, the most important aspect of this book is that Hardy addresses in-depth—what I believe is the #1 hindrance that stops more people from becoming an entrepreneur... which is fear. Hardy superbly articulates what it is that most people fear most about entrepreneurship and gives practical steps to take in order to get over that fear.
If you’re looking for a book that will inspire, as well as educate the reader on how to be a successful entrepreneur—this book is a must-have.
2. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
I know that there is no data out there to prove this theory correct, but I believe that this book has produced more self-made millionaires than any book that has ever been written. That’s just how powerful it is to those that have read it.
Originally published in 1937, Think and Grow Rich, is a masterpiece written by author Napoleon Hill, that concentrates on the mindset one has to have to become not only financially successful, but more importantly—successful in life.
What I like most about this book, is that Hill puts the mindset of successful people at the forefront and highlights in detail what it takes to find a goal, set a goal, and achieve success.
In Think and Grow Rich, Hill shares lessons from his first-hand observations and conversations with a variety of millionaires like: Henry Ford, Andrew Carnegie, and Charles M. Schwab. In fact, Hill studied over 500 self-made millionaires in preparation for this book.
I’m sure you’re probably wondering, “If this book has produced more self-made millionaires than any other book in history, why isn’t it #1 on your list?” Well, the simple answer is that while this book focuses on financial success, and how to take all the necessary steps to attain riches—it’s not specifically aimed at entrepreneurship.
If it were, it would surely be #1 on my list. That’s just how impactful this book is.
3. Sidehustle Millionaire by Tony Whatley
This book is perfect for the person that already has their mind made up that they’re going to become an entrepreneur, but just want to know concise steps that they need to take to start and run a business. In Sidehustle Millionaire, author and entrepreneur Tony Whatley, cuts right to the chase on how simple it is to start a business and generate revenue.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that Whatley doesn’t provide any inspiration in Sidehustle Millionaire. But the vast majority of this book is geared towards teaching beginner entrepreneurs every facet of what it takes to become a successful business owner, as well as how you can become a millionaire from owning that business—while still having another career.
From branding, to funding, marketing, and even business structure—Whatley covers it all concisely in 110 pages. Which is another great thing about this book—it’s like a pamphlet to prosperity.
4. The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau
This is the book that you give as a gift to the person that’s always using lack of capital as the reason why they haven’t started their business yet. In The $100 Startup, author and entrepreneur Chris Guillbeau, eliminates that excuse by detailing how entrepreneurs can bootstrap a startup for less than the price of the average cable bill.
In The $100 Startup, Guillebeau highlights 50 entrepreneurs that have created businesses that generate $50,000 or more annually—from a small initial investment. With some of those investments being less than $100.
If you want to stop someone from using the excuse that they cannot start a business because they currently do not have the finances to fund it, give them this book as a gift and tell them that's no longer the case—especially if they’re willing to go a month without cable.
5. Crushing It! by Gary Vaynerchuk
If you're an entrepreneur yourself and you're 30-years-old or younger—you probably wouldn't take this list seriously if it didn't have at least one book from the great "Gary Vee" on it. Remember when I said that I believe that Think and Grow Rich is the book that has produced the most millionaires? Well, I also believe that Gary Vaynerchuk is the person most responsible for the influx of entrepreneurship in the last 10 years.
With Crushing It!, Vaynerchuk continues to provide the inspiration, insights, and attitude that initially made him famous on social media. This book primarily focuses on how to be resourceful and use guerrilla marketing tactics to help build your brand, both on and off of social media.
But the most remarkable aspect of this book is how Gary Vee brashly challenges the reader to take practical steps to become an entrepreneur and to crush it!