The 10 Business Books Every Entrepreneur Architect Should Have In Their Library

Every August, the kids and I pack up the Suburban and head north to a row of small houses perched along the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Arcadia Park is located at Fishers Landing, New York and one of those tiny former fishing cottages is owned by my mom and dad, aka Mata and Pata.

We look forward to the trip all year long. The weather is cool, the river is clean and the neighbors are like family. I leave Annmarie behind so she might enjoy a week of solitude, kidless, with her cats and dogs.

I stay with Mata and Pata for a week with the kids and try my best to relax and reboot. I then head home, without my three monsters, and spend two more weeks with Annmarie alone while the kids go “all out” at the River House.

A few days before school begins I trek back up Interstate 81 and drag them back to reality. It always feels a bit like rehab, as we detox them from weeks of unlimited television and daily ice cream parties. It’s a time none of us will ever forget. These are the three weeks that matter most in our lives. Three weeks of love, happiness and “making memories.” (We all tend to overlook and forget the occasional sugar-high meltdowns.)

Preparing for Down Time

As I am preparing for my week away, I ordered two books that have been on my Amazon wish list for a while. I’ve read most of what Seth Godin has written, but Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us is a quick little book that has not yet graced my night table. As our own tribe here at Entrepreneur Architect continues to grow, I look forward to learning from Seth on how to best lead the community to even greater success.

The second book in my bag heading north is The Compound Effect, by Darren Hardy. I have already experienced overwhelming success generated by multiple small decisions. I am excited to learn how we can continue our growth by consistently progressing one small step at a time. I think this one will be transformative as I launch Entrepreneur Architect Academy on September 8th. (Get on the mailing list for pre-launch pricing if you’re interested.)

A third book has been waiting in my cue over at Audible.com for weeks now. Mastery by Robert Greene sounds like it may become a favorite.  As a lover of history, I can’t wait to listen to this audio book where Greene shares examples of exceptional people in history and how they mastered their contributions to society.

I am a business book junkie. Although, recently with the launch of this blog and posting weekly episodes for the podcast, my reading time has been greatly reduced. I love to collect books and look forward to someday having a real library where I might display my growing collection.

Today I thought I would sort through my studio book shelves and share my 10 favorite business books; 10 books that every Entrepreneur Architect should have in their own library.

My 10 Business Books

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It
by Michael E. Gerber
I wrote a review of The E-Myth a few months back. It’s my favorite book of all time and the one you should read if you only have time for one. Gerber has also written The E-Myth Architect. I have not yet read it, but I have heard it’s worth the purchase.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
by Stephen R. Covey
Although not a business book per se, 7 Habits was the gateway drug for my addiction to business books. My first copy was a set of 12 cassette audio tapes that I looped over and over again as I traveled from New Jersey to Rhode Island for architecture school.

How to Win Friends & Influence People
by Dale Carnegie
Originally published in the 1930’s, this is a book that my grandfather shared with me when I was a young man. Pop Pop was a salesman for Schaefer Brewery and understood well the lessons taught by Carnegie in this iconic book.

Rich Dad Poor Dad: What The Rich Teach Their Kids About Money – That The Poor And Middle Class Do Not!
by Robert Kiyosaki
I owned this book for years before I finally read it. I picked it up and read it through in one sitting. I simply could not put it down. This is the kind of book that shifts your mind and unlocks the not-so-secret secrets to acquiring wealth.

Thou Shall Prosper: Ten Commandments for Making Money
by Daniel Lapin
This is required reading for architects. It will change your mind about not raising your fees. Rabbi Daniel Lapin shares historic reference to earning wealth through the traditions of the Jewish people. It’s not a religious book, but it may become your bible to learning how to earn more money.

Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How to Tell Your Story in a Noisy Social World
by Gary Vaynerchuk
Every architect should be marketing online and this book will show you everything you need to know about succeeding on social media. Splurge and purchase the hardcover edition. It’s full of illustrations and you’ll be tempted to stack it on your coffee table with your favorite architecture books.

EntreLeadership: 20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom from the Trenches
by Dave Ramsey
A book about leadership and building organizations that thrive. I have learned so many lessons, both personal and professional, from Dave Ramsey. This is a book that must be read by every entrepreneur, whether an architect or not.

Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World
by Michael Hyatt
I discovered Michael Hyatt several years back when he was interviewed by Chris Locurto on the EntreLeadership Podcast. Michael was pitching his then new book, Platform, throughout the podcast circuit. Since then, he has built his own platform using his own popular blog, a leading podcast and an educational website called Platform University.

Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion
by Gary Vaynerchuk
Gary Vaynerchuk turned a weekly video blog, recorded from his family’s New Jersey-based wine shop, into a multi-million dollar social media marketing empire with offices in three cities. Crush It! is an inspiring story that takes us from his immigrant childhood to crushing it in the world of online business. Gary candidly shares how we might achieve the same success if we are willing to take the risk and hustle like no one else.

Zag: The Number One Strategy of High-Performance Brands
by Marty Neumeier
When everyone zigs, we should zag. This is a quick book about building a brand that stands out from the crowd and endures the test of time.

Now I want to know which are your favorite business books. Leave your thoughts and a link to the Amazon page in the comments below.