Books by – and for – women entrepreneurs

Women who are thinking of starting – or have already started – a business can take inspiration from other women who have gone before them. In the spirit of not reinventing the wheel, here are some motivational books on entrepreneurship and leadership by women who’ve made it happen. 

Female Entrepreneur’s Playbook: Secret Strategies From 20+ Women for Building a Business You Love and Getting Paid for It by Patricia Wooster and Lindsey Ardmore. 
This book is packed with advice from female entrepreneurs, each of whom has made the journey from the spark of an idea to a successful business. Whether you’re just starting out or are already running a business, you’ll be motivated and inspired by these courageous women. 

Ladies Who Launch: Embracing Entrepreneurship & Creativity as a Lifestyle by Victoria Colligan, and Beth Schoenfeldt, with Amy Swift outlines the four-step process used by the successful Ladies Who Launch Incubators. These workshops encourage and support women as they make their dreams reality. This book focuses on the inherent creativity of women and how this affects the lifestyle choices they make. 

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
By studying success and talking to high achievers, psychologist Angela Duckworth has identified grit – a combination of persistence and passion – as the key to overcoming adversity and reaching your goals. By studying teachers in challenging schools to new West Point cadets to finalists in the National Spelling Bee, Duckworth has researched the secret to success, and shows you how you can overcome any obstacle. 

Boss Up! This Ain’t Your Mama’s Business Book by Lindsay Teague Moreno
This mom-turned-entrepreneur tells it like it is, sharing the lessons she learned as she built several successful businesses. She outlines philosophies for success, teaching readers to Think Long Term, Understand Your Why, Use the Unsales Tactic, Be Unapologetically Yourself, and more. 

The Path Made Clear: Discovering Your Life’s Direction and Purpose by Oprah Winfrey
Perhaps the world’s most well-known female entrepreneur, Oprah Winfrey, describes what she’s learned on her self-discovery journey in The Path Made Clear: Discovering Your Life’s Direction. She writes about setting intentions and how she found her true calling. This inspirational book includes personal stories from Elizabeth Gilbert, Brené Brown, Eckhart Tolle, and others. 

Lean in: Women, Work and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg
This best seller by tech icon Sheryl Sandberg is full of practical advice about negotiation, mentorship and how to combine professional achievement and personal fulfillment. Sandberg discusses how women can build a satisfying career, and how men can benefit by supporting women at work and at home. 

Shark Tales: How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business by Barbara Corcoran and Bruce Littlefield
Shark Tank star Barbara Corcoran shares her inspiring story of a waitress who took a $1,000 loan and turned it into a $5 billion real estate empire. Her smart, no-nonsense style provides plenty of actionable advice you can use in your own business. 

Whether your business is still an idea in your head, or you’re well on your way to success, make sure to protect it from the risks you can’t see coming. Get a quote on business insurance from the experts at Hiscox.