The Entrepreneur’s MBA

What is the Entrepreneur’s MBA and why should I care?

True entrepreneurs never stop learning.

We know if we don’t continually get better each day we lose our competitive edge. We attempt to cannibalize our own companies before another shark in the water takes food out of our mouths.

The below is my list of all of the books I’ve read since 2018 (when I started keeping track). To help you, I’ve given each book a rating of 1 to 5 stars, my favorite quote, the best idea or concept, the worst or dumbest idea, why it’s worth reading and who should read it. I’ve also included links to Amazon, Apple books, and Audible to make it easier for you to buy when you see something you like.

No - I don’t get anything from these authors or platforms for my thoughts, comments or referrals.

BUT, I want this specially curated book list to give you an informal entrepreneur’s MBA.

I will add to this list as I continually learn and share my thoughts with you. Enjoy!

  1. Die With Zero - Bill Perkins 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: “Money is nearly worthless at the very beginning and the very end of life.”

The Good: I love the conceptual depiction of how money and its usefulness changes throughout your life, and the explanation for how to maximize it is laid out here.

The Bad: Personally, I disagree with the concept of dying broke and intend to create generational wealth for my family through my business ventures, so I don’t personally agree with the core concept of the book.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): Anyone that needs to understand the relationship of money and its utility arc in your life - and exactly how that changes from beginning to end, and anyone who feels like they’re behind but in reality actually isn’t. You know who you are!

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

2. Buy Back Your Time - Get Unstuck, Reclaim Your Freedom, and Build Your Empire - Dan Martell 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: “It’s easier to 10x your life than to 2x your life.” AND "The greatest asset you have in life is time, and it's the only asset that you can't get more of."

The Good: SO many great things in this value-packed book - exactly how to identify your lowest-value activities and outsource them, how to determine which hours you work best, what your highest-value activities are, and how to live a life of fulfillment.

The Bad: Literally nothing. This book is a grand slam home run.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): This one is a game changer. Anyone - not just entrepreneurs - that wants to maximize their daily/weekly/monthly/yearly schedule with their highest-engagement times to perfectly correlate to their highest-value work and life activities in order to design their energetic, balanced, fulfilled life.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

3. $100M Offer - Alex Hormozi

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: "The person who needs the exchange less always has the upper hand." "Scarcity is a function of quantity. Urgency is a function of time."

The Good: The value of setting concrete, specific goals and working backwards to achieve them.

The Bad: Absolutely nothing. This book is an amazing read and is a must for entrepreneurs and salespeople at every level and stage of their career.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): Entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses and make significant revenue growth.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

4. Solve for Happy - Mo Gawdat

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: “The gravity of the battle means nothing to those at peace.”

The Good: The idea that happiness can be achieved by changing our perspective and focusing on what we can control.

The Bad: If this can be considered a bad thing, the author is so rational, so data-driven, and so probabilistic that if you don't believe in a higher power you will after reading this book - and that may cause you to read it again.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): Anyone looking to improve their overall well-being and live a more fulfilling life.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

5. The Power of One More - Ed Mylett

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: "Small, incremental changes lead to massive transformations."

The Good: The importance of consistently pushing yourself to do just "one more" in all aspects of life to consistently make small improvements in order to achieve larger goals.

The Bad: I absolutely loved it, but some of the motivational language can feel repetitive if you don't want to feel jazzed about incorporating its principles.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): Entrepreneurs looking to improve their productivity and achieve greater success.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

6. The HBR Guide to Buying a Small Business - Richard S. Ruback, Royce Yudkoff

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: "Buying a small business is like getting married - the wrong choice can lead to years of misery."

The Good: The importance of thoroughly researching and analyzing a potential business acquisition before making a purchase.

The Bad: Hard to find something bad here, but the content is definitely geared more towards a specific audience (those interested in buying small businesses) rather than a general entrepreneurship audience.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): Those interested in acquiring a small business or looking to expand their current business.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

7. Scaling Up - Verne Harnish

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: "To achieve scale, you must master the art of the metaphorical shift from doer to coach."

The Good: The importance of identifying and addressing key issues in a business in order to achieve sustainable growth.

The Bad: Zippo. Entrepreneurs who need to scale should consider this a must read. If you aren't in the demographic, you can skip it.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): Entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses and achieve long-term success.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

8. The War of Art: Break Through The Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles - Steven Pressfield

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: "The more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it."

The Good: The book encourages readers to overcome resistance and self-doubt to pursue their creative endeavors.

The Bad: The book can be overly simplistic in its approach to complex psychological issues.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): Who: Anyone struggling to find motivation and overcome procrastination in creative work.
Why: The book offers practical tips for overcoming obstacles that can impede creative output.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

9. Emotional Intelligence - Daniel Goleman

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: "In a very real sense we have two minds, one that thinks and one that feels."

The Good: The book explains the importance of emotional intelligence in personal and professional success, and offers strategies for improving emotional intelligence.

The Bad: You may find the book overly technical and dense. Read it anyway. EQ is FAR more critical to enormous success than IQ for anyone intellectual enough to be reading books from this list.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): Who: Anyone interested in improving their interpersonal relationships and leadership skills.
Why: The book offers a comprehensive overview of the concept of emotional intelligence and practical advice for developing emotional intelligence skills.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

10. Faster Than Normal: Turbocharge Your Focus, Productivity, and Success with the Secrets of the ADHD Brain - Peter Skan

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

The Quote: "ADHD isn't a curse or a disability; it's a difference, and it can be an asset if you know how to use it."

The Good: The book offers strategies for people with ADHD to optimize their strengths and overcome their challenges in order to achieve success.

The Bad: The book may not be as relevant for readers who do not have ADHD - but it's still very important to understand this demographic as an entrepreneur or manager. The book offers a positive and empowering perspective on ADHD and provides practical strategies for success.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): Who: Anyone with ADHD or who wants to understand and support someone with ADHD.
Why: The book offers a positive and empowering perspective on ADHD and provides practical strategies for success.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

11. 80/20 Sales and Marketing - Perry Marshall

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: "80/20 is not a formula, it's a compass."

The Good: Identifying and focusing on the 20% of activities that generate 80% of results can dramatically improve sales and marketing outcomes.

The Bad: The book tends to oversimplify complex topics, which could lead to oversights and missed opportunities.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): Who: Sales and marketing professionals who want to optimize their efforts and drive more revenue.
Why: This book offers a practical approach to identifying and prioritizing the most impactful sales and marketing activities, which can help professionals achieve better results with less effort.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

12. The Humans - Matt Haig

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: "The easiest way to steal something, is to make sure it's already yours."
"I should have stayed at home and thought about all the other ways I could have done things differently. Instead, I will leave this world with the knowledge that I have lived."

The Good: The importance of valuing human relationships and experiences over material possessions.

The Bad: The plot is super slow at times but really does bring it all together toward the end of the book.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): Anyone interested in exploring the human experience and what truly matters in life.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

13. Lifeonaire - Matt Haig

Rating: 0 - Seriously - they can’t all be good!

The Quote: "Most people never allow themselves to dream. They limit themselves to the reality of their present circumstances."
"Your actions are either moving you toward or away from the life you desire."

The Good: The concept of "intentional congruence" - aligning your actions with your goals and values.

The Bad: They can't all be amazing. The writing style is utterly repetitive and simplistic. The storytelling is sing-songy and cheesy from beginning to end.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): Those who feel unfulfilled in their current lifestyles and are looking to make a change.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

14. Profit First - Mike Michalowitz

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: "Traditional accounting uses the logical (albeit, flawed) formula: Sales - Expenses = Profit. The problem is, businesses are run by humans, and humans aren't always logical."

The Good: The book introduces a new approach to managing business finances that prioritizes profit by allocating money to different accounts for specific purposes. This system forces you to confront your expenses and make cuts, so that you're always making a profit.

The Bad: While the book advocates for profitability, some readers might find it too simplistic or rigid for their business needs. The method might not work for every type of business or industry.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): Small business owners and entrepreneurs who struggle with financial management and want a practical, actionable method to increase profitability.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

15. Mind Gym - Gary Mack, David Casstevens

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: "The only one who can tell you 'you can't' is you. And you don't have to listen."

The Good: The book offers a holistic approach to mental training for athletes and non-athletes alike. It covers topics like goal setting, motivation, visualization, and self-talk, providing practical strategies to improve mental toughness and performance.

The Bad: Some readers might find the anecdotes and examples too sports-focused, and might not relate to them if they're not interested in athletics. That shouldn't be an issue with entrepreneurs though, as we generally appreciate the pureness of sport and its ability to be judged solely based on the outcome of winning or losing.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): Anyone looking to improve their mental game, whether in sports, work, or personal life.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

16. Raising Capital for real estate - Hunter thompson

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: "Real estate cannot be lost or stolen, nor can it be carried away. Purchased with common sense, paid for in full, and managed with reasonable care, it is about the safest investment in the world." - Franklin D. Roosevelt

The Good: The book provides a comprehensive guide to raising capital for real estate investments, covering topics like developing a network, creating investment offerings, and structuring deals. It also includes case studies and examples to illustrate different strategies.

The Bad: Some readers might find the book too specific to real estate investing, and might not be interested if they're not involved in that industry.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): Real estate investors and developers who are looking to raise capital for their projects, as well as anyone interested in learning more about real estate investment.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

17. The Apology - V (formerly Eve Ensler)

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: "I want to apologize to all the women I have called beautiful before I’ve called them intelligent or brave."

The Good: The book is a powerful memoir and call to action for men to take responsibility for their actions and work towards ending violence against women. It's a deeply personal and moving story that also highlights the need for societal change.

The Bad: Some readers might find the book too emotionally heavy or triggering, especially if they have experienced trauma related to sexual assault or abuse.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): Men who want to learn more about gender-based violence and their role in ending it, as well as anyone interested in personal memoirs and social justice.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

18. The Vision-Driven Leader - Michael Hyatt

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: "If you want to achieve your vision, you must be intentional about creating a culture that supports it."

The Good: A vision statement is not just a slogan or tagline; it's a clear and compelling picture of a desirable future that inspires and guides decision-making. The best leaders are those who can communicate their vision in a way that resonates with their team members and inspires them to take action. To create a vision-driven culture, leaders must first be crystal clear about their own vision, and then communicate it effectively to their team members.

The Bad: Some of the examples and anecdotes used in the book feel repetitive and not always relevant to the central message.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): Anyone in a leadership position, from CEOs to team leaders, who wants to create a culture that is aligned with their vision and values.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

19. The Magic Of Thinking Big - David Swartz

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: "Believe it can be done. When you believe something can be done, really believe, your mind will find the ways to do it."

The Good: The author encourages readers to cultivate a positive, can-do mindset and provides practical tips for doing so, such as practicing visualization and surrounding yourself with positive influences.

The Bad: Some of the advice is overly simplistic and may not be applicable to every situation.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): Anyone who wants to cultivate a positive, optimistic mindset and achieve their goals.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

20. The Beggar King And ThE Secret Of HappinesS: A true Story - Joel Ben Izzy

Rating: ⭐️⭐️

The Quote: "Maybe it's not about finding the perfect story. Maybe it's about finding the story that will help you heal."

The Good: The author shares personal stories and insights on the power of storytelling and its ability to heal and connect people.

The Bad: Some parts of the book feel disjointed and may not appeal to readers who are not interested in storytelling.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): Anyone who is interested in the power of storytelling and wants to learn how it can be used to connect with others and find meaning in life.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

21. Money Code: Become a Millionaire With the Ancient Jewish Code - H.W. Charles

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: "Financial success is not about how much money you have, but how much money you keep and how hard it works for you."

The Good: The author offers a unique perspective on personal finance by using ancient Jewish wisdom and teachings to provide practical advice for accumulating wealth.

The Bad: Some readers may find the religious aspects of the book off-putting.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): Anyone interested in personal finance and looking for a fresh perspective on wealth accumulation.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

22. Miracle Morning for Entrepreneurs - Hal Elrod

Rating: ⭐️⭐️

The Quote: "Your morning routine sets the tone for the rest of your day."

The Good: The author encourages readers to develop a morning routine that includes exercise, meditation, affirmations, and other positive habits to set themselves up for success.

The Bad: Some of the advice may not be practical or feasible for everyone, especially those with busy schedules.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): Entrepreneurs and business owners looking to optimize their morning routine and increase their productivity.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

23. Superforecasting - Philip Tetlock, Dan Gardner

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: "The key is to regard the future as probabilistic, not deterministic."

The Good: The authors provide insights into how to make more accurate predictions about the future using a data-driven, probabilistic approach.

The Bad: The book can be dense and technical at times, which may not be appealing to all readers.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): Anyone interested in improving their ability to make predictions and better understand how to think about the future.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

24. Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order, Why Nations Succeed and Fail - Ray Dalio

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

The Quote: "The most effective people are those who can see things objectively, especially those things that are most painful to look at."

The Good: Dalio's concept of "radical transparency" in communication, where people speak openly and honestly about their thoughts and feelings, can lead to better decision-making and improved relationships.

The Bad: The book can be quite dense and technical at times, which may be difficult for some readers to follow. Read it anyway! It's great.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): This book is a must-read for anyone interested in global economics and politics. It offers valuable insights into how nations succeed and fail, and provides practical principles for dealing with the changing world order.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

25. Miracle Morning - Hal ElroD

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

The Quote: "Your level of success will seldom exceed your level of personal development, because success is something you attract by the person you become."

The Good: Elrod's "Miracle Morning" routine, which involves waking up early and engaging in a set of activities designed to promote personal growth and success, can have a profound impact on one's life.

The Bad: The book can be a bit repetitive at times, and some of the ideas may not be applicable to everyone.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): Anyone looking to improve their personal development and achieve greater success in life should read this book. The practical tips and strategies offered by Elrod can help readers create a morning routine that sets them up for success throughout the day.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

26. Dichotomy Of Leadership - Jocko Willink

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: "Leaders must own everything in their world. There is no one else to blame."

The Good: The idea of finding the right balance between opposing qualities, such as being both humble and confident, or being both decisive and cautious. Willink provides numerous examples of how leaders must navigate these dichotomies to be effective.

The Bad: There is no real "dumb" idea in this book, but some readers may find the militaristic language and focus on war stories to be overly intense or not applicable to their own leadership situations.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): This book is ideal for anyone in a leadership position or aspiring to become a leader. Willink's focus on balancing opposing qualities and taking extreme ownership of one's actions and decisions can be applied in any industry or profession.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

27. The Gap And The Gain - Dan Sullivan

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: "The big game isn't about money or accomplishments. It's about who you have to become in order to be successful."

The Good: The concept of focusing on progress and improvement rather than comparing oneself to others or a predetermined standard. Sullivan emphasizes the importance of recognizing and celebrating one's progress, regardless of how small it may seem.

The Bad: Some readers may find the self-help tone and emphasis on personal development to be cliché or overly simplistic.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): This book is a great read for anyone looking to improve themselves, whether in their personal or professional life. Sullivan's focus on progress over perfection can help individuals overcome self-doubt and achieve their goals.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

28. Laughing at Wall Street - Chris Camillo

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: "The stock market is the greatest moneymaking opportunity in the world, and you don't have to be a genius to make money in it."

The Good: Camillo's approach of using social media and personal observations to identify trends and invest in companies before they become popular. His emphasis on the importance of doing your own research and not relying solely on traditional financial metrics can be eye-opening for many readers.

The Bad: Some readers may find Camillo's approach too risky or reliant on luck, and his examples of successful investments may not be applicable to all readers.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): This book is a great read for anyone interested in investing or looking for an unconventional approach to stock market analysis. Camillo's humorous and relatable style makes investing seem more approachable and less intimidating.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Not on Audible.

29. The Signal and the Noise - Nate Silver

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: "The signal is the truth. The noise is what distracts us from the truth."

The Good: The importance of recognizing uncertainty and incorporating it into decision-making processes. Silver's emphasis on using data and statistical models to make predictions and inform decisions can be applied in many fields, from politics to sports to business.

The Bad: Some readers may find the book's heavy focus on statistics and mathematical models to be dry or difficult to understand.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): This book is a must-read for anyone interested in data analysis, prediction, or decision-making. Silver's clear explanations and real-world examples make even complex statistical concepts accessible to readers of all backgrounds.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

30. Multipliers - Liz Wiseman

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: "The best leaders are genius makers. They focus on creating a culture where the smartest people are constantly pushing and teaching each other."

The Good: The best leaders are those who multiply the intelligence and capability of their team members, rather than diminish them.

The Bad: There is no specific worst or unhelpful idea in this book.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to become a better leader or manager, and learn how to bring out the best in their team members. It's especially recommended for those who work in fast-paced, high-growth environments.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

31. A CEO Only Does Three Things - Trey Taylor

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: "A CEO's job is to focus on strategy, people, and cash - and to delegate everything else."

The Good: The best CEOs are those who focus relentlessly on the three things that matter most: strategy, people, and cash.

The Bad: There is no specific worst or unhelpful idea in this book.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to become a more effective CEO, or who is considering starting their own business. It's especially recommended for those who are looking for a clear, practical framework for managing their time and priorities.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

32. Hardest Job in the World - John Dickerson

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

The Quote: "The president is the only person in the world who wakes up every morning with a list of crises to confront. It's a job that demands a relentless work ethic, an agile mind, and the ability to keep a cool head under pressure."

The Good: The best presidents are those who have a clear sense of their values and priorities, and who are willing to make tough decisions based on them.

The Bad: Some readers may find the book's focus on the U.S. presidency limiting, as it doesn't delve into the leadership challenges faced in other contexts.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): This book is a fascinating inside look at the challenges of the presidency, and is recommended for anyone who is interested in politics or history.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.

33. Who Not How - Dan Sullivan

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Quote: "The most successful entrepreneurs are those who focus on their unique abilities, and delegate everything else to talented people who can do it better and faster."

The Good: The key to success in any business is to focus on your unique abilities, and then find talented people who can help you achieve your goals.

The Bad: There is no specific worst or unhelpful idea in this book.

The Why (why it’s worth reading) & Who (who should read it): This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to become a more effective entrepreneur or leader, and learn how to leverage their strengths and delegate effectively. It's especially recommended for those who struggle with delegation or feel overwhelmed by their workload.

Read the book on Apple Books here.

Listen to the book on Audible here.