The Best Books for Small Business Owners: Top 10 Picks

You’ve probably heard it a million times — successful entrepreneurs talking about the books that changed their lives. They always swear by it, right? And while you might roll your eyes at yet another book recommendation, there’s truth to it. A single great book can change how you think, run your small business, and make decisions. 

If there’s one thing small and medium-sized business (SMB) owners can agree on, it’s that mistakes can be costly. While everyone else is hustling, reading gives you the chance to learn from people who’ve already been through the grind. In fact, every page you turn is a shortcut to success.

We’ve compiled a list of books for small business owners that are packed with practical wisdom, straight-talking advice, and a few “ah-ha” moments that will help you sell more, manage better, or just stress less. Let’s jump in and discover.

1. “Trailblazer: The Power of Business as the Greatest Platform for Change” by Marc Benioff

Marc Benioff, the founder and co-CEO of Salesforce, shares an inspiring vision for the future of business. In “Trailblazer,” he explains how a values-driven culture can lead to growth, innovation, and a meaningful career. He gives a behind-the-scenes look at Salesforce, showing how the company’s core values — trust, customer success, innovation, and equality — have made it one of the most admired companies in the world. 

Benioff believes that values are the foundation of a strong company culture that empowers all your people to do their best work. He offers practical advice on how to build a culture that can handle change and disruption.

Key takeaways

• Purpose drives growth: Profits will follow when your business is built on a strong purpose that drives real-world impact. This makes your company more resilient in the long run.
• Customer success first: Putting your customers’ needs at the heart of your business drives long-term growth and loyalty.
• Trust is everything: Trust is the secret ingredient that creates a culture where your people feel empowered to do their best work.
• Innovation is key: Keep innovating to stay ahead of the curve and adapt to the fast-paced changes in the market.
• Equality fuels innovation: A focus on equality benefits your team and creates an environment where diverse perspectives lead to better decisions and outcomes.
• Disruption is opportunity: Change is inevitable. The businesses that succeed are the ones that embrace disruption and use it as a catalyst for innovation.

2. “Good to Great” by Jim Collins

Why do some companies thrive while others struggle? In “Good to Great,” Jim Collins and his research team dive deep into this question by studying businesses that made the leap from being average to truly exceptional. He breaks down the key habits, leadership traits, and strategies that will set your small business apart. The book lays out a step-by-step framework for turning a good business into a great one, backed by real-world examples.

Good to Great has earned high praise from business leaders. In fact, several members of The Wall Street Journal’s CEO Council have called it the best management book they’ve ever read. The insights in this book will shape how you think about long-term growth.

Key takeaways

• Level 5 leadership: The best leaders put the company’s success above their own ego, take responsibility for failures, and give credit to their team when things go right.
• The Hedgehog concept: Focus on what you’re truly great at, what drives your business, and what you’re passionate about — then go all in.
• Technology is a tool, not a strategy: Don’t chase trends. Use technology to support your vision, but never let it define your business.

3. “Crush It!” by Gary Vaynerchuk

In “Crush It!,” Gary Vaynerchuk shares his blueprint for turning your passion into a profitable business. Drawing from his own success story, he explains how you can build your personal brand and monetize it in today’s digital-first age. With a no-nonsense approach, Gary encourages entrepreneurs to embrace social media, create meaningful content, and seize opportunities in a world driven by technology.

If you’re just starting out or looking to level up your brand, this book is full of practical tips to help you stand out and get noticed. You’ll learn how to turn what you love into something big, and Gary makes it feel like you can do it easily.

Key takeaways

• Follow your passion: Success comes when you focus on what excites you. Passion drives motivation, and when you love what you do, work becomes something you want to do every day.
• Build your personal brand: Personal brand is your business. Social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube offer endless opportunities to build an audience and monetize your expertise.
• Content is king: Create valuable content that resonates with your audience in the form of videos, blogs, or podcasts. Share what matters to your followers.

4. “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey

“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” is a timeless guide to personal and professional success. Stephen R. Covey explains that true effectiveness comes from building strong character, not just improving skills or personality. In the book, he provides a clear plan to help you develop habits that lead to long-lasting growth and success. The book persuades you to think differently, prioritize what truly matters, and build meaningful relationships.

Key takeaways

• Take control of your life: Your choices shape your future, so be proactive and take responsibility instead of blaming circumstances.
• Think win-win: Look for solutions where everyone benefits instead of approaching life with a “me vs. them” mindset.
• Prioritize personal growth: Regularly invest in your well-being — physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Taking care of yourself is essential for long-term success and fulfillment.

5. “The E-Myth Revisited” by Michael E. Gerber

“The E-Myth Revisited” by Michael E. Gerber is a classic business book that challenges the common misconception you carry about entrepreneurship. Gerber argues that most small businesses fail because entrepreneurs focus too much on the technical work they love, neglecting the systems and processes necessary for growth. 

The book provides actionable insights to help you step out of your technician role and build systems that allow your small business to run smoothly and grow. It teaches how to create a business that works for you, not the other way around.

Key takeaways

• The E-myth is real: Many entrepreneurs start businesses because they excel at a specific skill (like baking or plumbing). But being good at technical work doesn’t make you a good business owner.
• Make your business work without you: Create a business that runs smoothly on its own, like a franchise. Set up systems and processes so your business doesn’t depend on you being there all the time.
• The three key roles: Every business owner must balance three distinct roles: the Entrepreneur (visionary), the Manager (planner and organizer), and the Technician (doer).

6. “Company of One: Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business” by Paul Jarvis

You’re often told that success in business means growth. More people, bigger offices, endless expansion. You get it. But what if staying small is actually the smarter path? In “Company of One,” Paul Jarvis challenges the idea that growth is always good. He argues that running your business on your own terms — staying lean, independent, and focused — can lead to more freedom, happiness, and financial stability. Instead of chasing scale, this book teaches you how to build a business that works for you, not the other way around.

Key takeaways

7. “Profit First” by Mike Michalowicz

Most businesses follow a simple formula: Revenue – Expenses = Profit. But Mike Michalowicz argues that this approach is backward. In “Profit First,” he flips the script: Revenue – Profit = Expenses. Instead of hoping there’s profit left at the end, you take profit first and force your business to run on what remains. This simple mindset shift helps you escape the cash flow struggles and build a business that’s actually profitable right from the start. 

If you’ve ever felt like your business is making money but you’re not keeping any of it, Profit First gives you a practical system to change that.

Key takeaways

• Take profit first: Set aside a percentage of your revenue as profit before paying expenses. This ensures your business is actually making money instead of just surviving.
• Smaller plates, smarter spending: Just like eating from a smaller plate helps with portion control, limiting available cash forces you to be smarter with expenses.
• Profit drives growth: A small, consistently profitable business is more valuable (and sustainable) than a large business drowning in expenses.

8. “Traction: How Any Startup Can Achieve Explosive Customer Growth” by Gabriel Weinberg and Justin Mares

“Traction” is a must-read if you’re serious about growing your startup. In this book, Gabriel Weinberg and Justin Mares cut through the noise of startup advice and show why traction matters. It’s not your product or your team that determines success. It’s your ability to grow, get customers, and prove your concept with real, hard evidence. If you can get traction, everything else (like funding, hiring, and press) gets a whole lot easier. The book explores 19 different ways to get that traction and shares how to find the one that works best for you.

Key takeaways

• Traction is everything: A brilliant idea means nothing without customers to back it up. Focus on gaining traction early as it’s the proof you’re on the right path. 
• The bullseye framework: Forget wasting time on strategies that don’t bring any results. The Bullseye Framework helps you quickly test traction channels, zero in on the top ones, and focus your efforts on the most effective.
• Don’t get stuck in one channel: Successful startups use a mix of traction channels. Test a few, figure out what clicks, and go all in on those.

9. “The One-Page Marketing Plan” by Allan Dib

In “The One-Page Marketing Plan,” Allan Dib shows you how to create a clear, effective marketing strategy on a single page. Instead of spending weeks on a complex plan, you’ll break it down into nine simple steps that help you attract customers, grow your business, and boost your profits. This book gives you a fast and practical way to get results.

Key takeaways

• Simplify your approach: No more complicated, multi-page plans. Creating an easy and actionable marketing strategy by putting it all on one page.
• Nine key steps: With nine key steps, you’ll create a tailored strategy that covers everything from targeting the right audience to crafting an irresistible offer.
• Quick wins for rapid growth: Dib’s plan is designed to give you fast, tangible results. It’s perfect for businesses that want to see growth quickly without the hassle of traditional marketing frameworks.

10. “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries

Most startups fail, but not because they lack effort or vision. They fail because they build products nobody wants. “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries shows you a better way to avoid this fate. Rather than spending years perfecting your product before it even hits the market, Ries encourages you to take a more agile approach. The key is to test your ideas quickly, gather real feedback from your customers, and make decisions based on solid data. Inspired by lean manufacturing principles, the book shifts the focus from big upfront planning to continuous learning and iteration.

Key takeaways

• Start small with a minimum viable product (MVP): Build a basic version of your product to test your idea. Get feedback early and improve it based on what users need.
• Focus on learning, not just revenue: Traditional businesses measure success with sales and profits. But for startups, learning what works is more important in the early stages.
• Measure what matters: Track real progress, not just numbers that look good. Make decisions based on real customer engagement.

Bonus: Essential guides for SMB owners

Books provide deep insights and long-term strategies. To put these ideas into action, you need resources that offer clear steps and practical solutions. That’s why we’ve rounded up three valuable guides and ebooks designed to break down complex topics into clear, actionable steps for you.

1. Maximize Your CRM Productivity

Download this ebook and unlock the full potential of your customer relationship management (CRM) system to boost productivity and streamline customer management. It covers essential strategies to automate tasks, gain insights with artificial intelligence (AI), and improve customer satisfaction, all while saving time and resources.  You’ll learn how to:

• Automate repetitive tasks like emails and follow-ups
• Use AI to understand customer behavior and personalize outreach
• Improve team collaboration with centralized customer data
• Track customer journeys to enhance engagement and satisfaction

Download the Maximize Your CRM Productivity Ebook

2. CEOs Reveal Their Secrets to Small Business Growth

Navigate the challenges of building a small business by learning from successful leaders who’ve been there and grown their companies. In this guide, you’ll get valuable tips and strategies from four CEOs who have successfully scaled their businesses. They share their experiences, mistakes, and secrets to growth, helping you avoid common pitfalls and make informed decisions. Download the guide now and start applying these proven strategies today. Here’s what you can take away from their experiences:

• The mindset shifts that help you scale your businesses effectively
• The early decisions that make a big impact on long-term success
• Daily habits and routines that you can use to stay focused and productive

Download the CEOs Reveal Their Secrets to Small Business Growth Ebook

3. The Guide to AI for Small Business

AI can make your work more efficient and impactful. But to make AI work for you, having a solid data strategy and building customer trust is essential. This guide breaks down how AI can transform your business and offers real-world insights from small business leaders who’ve done it successfully. Download the guide for free and get insights on:

• How to integrate AI into your daily operations
• Why trust and data are key to AI success
• Real-world examples of small businesses using AI effectively
• Practical ways to apply AI and data to your CRM

Download the The Guide to AI for Small Business

4. The Startup’s Guide to Customer Service

Great customer support helps create strong relationships and encourages repeat business. Discover how top startups deliver outstanding customer service and scale with confidence. Download the guide to learn from their experiences and apply their strategies to elevate your own customer support. Here’s what you’ll learn inside:

• How to integrate customer support into your company culture
• Building the right team for exceptional service
• Choosing the best tools for customer service management
• Ensuring quick and personalized responses

Download The Startup’s Guide to Customer Service

Customer service needs to be fast, personalized, and available around the clock. But hiring a large team to handle all inquiries might not be feasible for your startup or SMB. AI-powered solutions like Agentforce can help you manage support seamlessly. With AI tools, you can instantly resolve customer queries and provide great support without needing any human help.

Turn these pages into progress with Starter

Reading these books gives you the knowledge, strategies, and inspiration to elevate your small business. But the real magic happens when you take action. Now, as you work to implement these strategies, consider tools that can help you streamline your processes and give you more time to focus on growth.

Start your journey with a free trial of Starter today. Looking for more customization? Explore Pro Suite. Already a Salesforce customer? Activate Foundations today to try Agentforce.

AI supported the writers and editors who created this article.