Are you a book nerd like us? Do you geek out over learning more business skills and marketing strategies? If so, this episode is gonna be a TREAT for you. We make it a priority to always keep learning, educating ourselves, and becoming even better business women. A huge part of learning is diving into business books. We especially love learning from people who are different than us and are in different industries because it brings even more value to what we do.

We often get asked what our favorite business books are, and after getting asked that question enough times, we figured having an episode of the podcast dedicated to some of our fave books would be super helpful. We’re breaking down our top 7 business books and our top 2 takeaways from each of them. If you’re wanting to snag some new business book recommendations, then don’t you dare go anywhere.

 

1. The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber

An incredible book for EVERY entrepreneur. It talks about why so many small businesses fail every single day and HOW to avoid that. Challenging and thought-provoking, it’s one of the most inspirational and powerful business books either one of us have read. It brings in the concept of franchising and having a franchising model. It’s a repeat on our lists.

This book is not about creative entrepreneurs at all. It is a hard end business book. Throughout the book, he uses an example of a pie shop and goes back to this example with all of the business principles. 

Takeaways:

1. We need to work ON our businesses, not IN them. This is a vital key for success.
2. We have to learn to adapt and change as we grow. Gerber talks a lot about scaling and franchising that’s so powerful to have in your mind as you grow your business. You can’t and shouldn’t try to do everything, especially as you grow. You have to look at your business through a CEO perspective and not a worker bee perspective.

 

2. Essentialism by Greg McKeown

This book covers how to simplify your life and business and stop trying to do it ALL. In a world where opportunities and information are endless, it’s so easy to get so caught up in the whirlwind that we end up just spinning our wheels with our brains going a million miles per minute. When we become overwhelmed we lose our focus and ability to do things with excellence and balance. We have to slow down, prioritize, and simplify. This book walks you through why it’s so vital to success as well as how to implement it in your own life and business. It’s a game changer.

If you are a people pleaser and find yourself burnt out and not able to learn the power of the word “no” and boundaries, this is a book you need to read!

He says we have a twisted definition of priorities because priorities should not be plural. The actual definition of a priority is that it is a singular goal. 

Takeaways:

1. Greg cuts through the crap in this book and explains just how detrimental it is to try to do 500 things at once. As someone who likes to do a million things at once, this was such a good wakeup call.
2. By the end of the book, you walk away with a clear understanding of HOW to begin to simplify and pursue what’s actually meaningful in your life. We can’t recommend this book enough.

 

3. Creating A Storybrand by Donald Miller

If you only read one marketing book for the entirety of your life, make it this one. This book is literally one of the most comprehensive and brilliant marketing books we’ve ever read. Donald Miller teaches a flawless, fool-proof marketing plan that compares marketing your business to the structure and plot of a story. Just like the one you learned in high school, it should start with an exposition, has rising action, conflict or the climax, falling action and a resolution. He breaks down how marketing is infused into every single movie or book you’ve ever read. From how to approach your customers to how to sell to them, this is by far our favorite marketing book. We both assign this to just about every coaching student now because of how perfect it is. If you own any business (or if you ever want to) read this book. Now.

Takeaways: 

1. We need to flip our mindset. We are NOT the hero of our own story. Our businesses are NOT about us. Instead, our businesses should be placing the focus of everything we do on the HERO, which is our ideal client, and how we as a business can come alongside them and help them in THEIR own story. Once you flip your mindset to stop viewing yourself as the hero, your business will completely change.
2. By the end of the book you’ll walk away with a foolproof marketing strategy for how to actually speak directly to your hero, your ideal client.  You’ll know how to help them, how to structure your business to get their attention, bring them in, SERVE them, and offer your services or product as a solution to the problem they have as it relates to your business. It’s brilliant, plain and simple. Go buy it ASAP. 

 

4. Profit First by Mike Michalowicz

A more financially-focused book that walks you step by step through why and how to set up the financial side of your business in a way that allows you to know what’s going on in your business and what your margins are. It’s a little meaty, especially if you’re scared of numbers, but it’s SO good. He writes it in a very conversational way that makes it easy to understand. Numbers shouldn’t be scary. In fact, they’re vital to success. This book is a must-read if you struggle with anything financial as a business owner.

Takeaways:

1. Entrepreneurs are the WORST at paying themselves. Why the heck is that true? When you start your own business, typically it’s for freedom in your time, finances, purpose, etc. So then why do we end up some of the most financially unstable and lacking people?  You need to get paid FIRST.
2. You walk away with a step by step strategy for how to keep an eye on the heartbeat of your business (your numbers) in a simple and non-intimidating way, while also getting PAID.

 

5. Dreaming with God by Bill Johnson

While not necessarily a “business book” per se, this book directly aligns with our passion and belief behind our businesses. What we do is for the glory of God, to bring His kingdom to earth. The purpose of this book is to walk the believer through how to partner with God to bring His Kingdom into today’s culture, regardless of where your field of influence is. We are all called to the same goal and business is not a secular thing. Our relationship with the Lord is not separate from our business. It will change your life when you begin to step outside your selfish bubble and focus on what God wants and how you can partner with him. 

Takeaways:

1. God WANTS to work with and through us as His children. Making an impact in our world and our culture is NOT limited to missionaries and pastors. Business owners are just as vital and powerful in bringing His Kingdom to earth.
2. God’s inviting you, as a child of God, a mother, a business owner, WHOEVER, to dream with Him. Dream big, dream wild, dream extravagantly. Ask Him for big things, and invite Him in to everything you’re doing. Although this isn’t necessarily a “business” specific book,  it’s a game changer as a believer and a business owner.

 

6. Atomic Habits by James Clear

Lindsey first heard James Clear give an interview on Amy Porterfield’s Online Marketing Made Easy Podcast, and after hearing him speak about his book, she immediately ordered it on Amazon. This book goes FAR beyond business, but absolutely can be so helpful and applicable to business. Literally any human being on the planet will benefit from reading this book. If you’ve struggled with trying to get rid of a bad habit, or start a new healthy habit in your life, but keep falling short,  James will give you SO many tangible takeaways to actually make real changes in your life. He dives into a framework of 4 mentalities that are vital for changing any habit in your life. We absolutely cannot recommend this book enough!

Takeaways:

1. Every time we perform a habit, there’s a four-step pattern that always happens: cue, craving, response, reward. Knowing how to work with and manipulate each step of the process is key to adding good habits and decreasing unhealthy ones in your life.
2. His book is broken down into segments of the top 4 mentalities that you need to do if you want to form new habits. These 4 mentalities for creating a good habit are: making them obvious, making them attractive, making them easy, and making them satisfying. On the flipside he talks about how the opposite of those 4 can help you get rid of a bad habit: make it obscure, make it unattractive, make it hard, and make it unsatisfying. 

 

7. Deep Work by Cal Newport

If you struggle with productivity, getting enough done, and focusing on the task in front of you without getting distracted every 30 seconds, this book is for you. Cal walks you through what he calls “deep work” vs “shallow work” and the scientific studies of brain focus and productivity. While working 15 hours a day, 7 days a week may FEEL like productivity to us, it’s actually not. Our brain is only wired to work certain ways and at certain times. Cal walks through the brain limitations, how to work around them, and how to maximize your time to get the most done each and every day. Evie is a productivity nerd, and she’s read this book twice in a year.

Takeaways:

1. Deep work sessions (or “batch working”) are key to productivity. The more we switch between tasks, the longer it takes us to get back on track. It’s called “attention residue.” Every time you switch tasks (for example, writing a blog and then checking email in the middle of that.) it takes your brain TWENTY MINUTES to refocus. Do you know how much that adds up?!?! Focusing on ONE thing in batches keeps you focused and most productive.
2. Breaks are vital. In order to reset and refresh your brain, you have to recognize the limitations. Working 15 hour work days is typically a waste of time. You can get just as much done in an 8 hour work day if you just organize your time well. Work smarter, not harder. Not only will you get more done in your business, you’ll have more time for the rest of your life, too.

 

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