5 Books for Female Entrepreneurs
As women in business, we want and need to do things differently. For some women, pushing a sale forward with a bunch of cold emails works, but for many of us, the masculine energy of ALWAYS BE CLOSING just isn’t the move.
And, given how saturated the entrepreneurship landscape is with masculine energy—”thought leaders” on LinkedIn and Twitter, conference keynote speakers, and so on—I know I needed to seek out more female voices and resources as I was building my business.
I am constantly reading. I give myself an annual, measurable reading goal to keep me focused on books and somewhat dissuaded from my other distractions (Housewives, podcasts, kids, husband, doom scrolling, etc.). Sometimes, I sit on the couch while my kids play and read my book. If they start fighting, I tell them to work it out among themselves.
Follow me for more parenting tips!
JK.
Half.
My point is this list may evolve over time. But, right now, these are the best books I’ve read for female entrepreneurs looking to do life and business our way.
(And, pssst, I keep all of my favorites across all categories in an Amazon list you can find here.)
Books for Women in Business
My list of the best books I’ve read (so far) about female entrepreneurship follows. I am 99% analog, so these are all books I held in my hands. I support you enjoying audiobooks. They just don’t seem to do it for me. I have heard that some of these books aren’t great in their audio versions because the author’s voice is distracting. Do with that information what you will, and if you have specific questions, DM me on Instagram and we’ll chat.
A few of these books aren’t even about being a woman in business, but they have helped me remind myself of the power of *feminine energy* in business.
From Amanda Frances’s no-holds-barred approach to money to Kate Northup’s reminders to stay in your zone of genius and much of what can happen in between, these books will inspire you to think bigger and to do less.
Like, actually.
And you’ll be pleased to learn that both things can be true at once.
Onto the recs:
Rich As F*ck by Amanda Frances
I discovered Amanda Frances magically, serendipitously, and just when I was meant to. My hair stylist asked me if I had heard of the book after I mentioned another one from this list. I said no. I quickly searched it, purchased it, binged in under a week, and then promptly signed up for her money course. Amanda’s was one of the first courses I ever signed up for. Turns out that’s a thing?
Turns out, courses are a really big thing.
Amanda talks like I talk (e.g. curses like a sailor), believes in completely “unrealistic” goals, and uses her background in Christianity and counseling to bust through generations of conditioning that holds women back.
I don’t re-read books, and I plan to re-read Amanda’s every year just to get in the big-money energy she embodies so beautifully.
She’s also recently come out with a journal that makes a fabulous complement to the exercises she asks us to do in the book.
You are a Badass by Jen Cincero
Jen Cincero is similar to Amanda in the way to writes and talks—it’s fun and funny. She keeps it very real, including telling us stories about her own rise from the proverbial ashes, and she passes her tips along in this first book.
I actually read You are a Badass at Making Money before I read this book, and it was so good I decided to start from the beginning. That conversation I had with my stylist that led me to Amanda was initially about Jen.
Help, Thanks, Wow by Anne Lamott
I’ve read probably half a dozen of Anne’s books, and while this little pocket guide to life isn’t necessarily about business specifically, it helps us all keep business in perspective.
If you’re like me, your business is inextricably woven into your life: I work only with clients whose products or services I would buy or use. I have to bring my kids with me to meetings. I make my husband model for my clients’ content.
This book’s simple principles, articulated with Anne’s signature former-addict-turned-hippie-Christian wit is chef’s kiss perfect.
Do Less by Kate Northup
When I first read Do Less, it felt revolutionary. I was in the thick of managing an infant and a toddler, running my business, and feeling like I was doing so much. The concept of delegating was foreign, but the PERMISSION. I didn’t know how much I needed that.
Kate talks a lot about staying in your zone of genius, about filling your own cup, and about creating ways for yourself to feel fulfilled. I loved it.
She also has a money book that I listened to on Audible (this was when I was still testing once in a while if I liked audiobooks). I didn’t love it, but I’m telling you about it anyway in case you do. It could be my whole audiobook thing and not Kate’s fault at all.
Burnout by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski
This book was probably my women-and-work-books gateway drug. I found it a little…slow in places, but thought about it a lot after I read it, which shows that it had a bigger impact on me than I expected.
If you are a woman in business, you have probably felt burnout. If you haven’t, you’re either not a millennial or someone who can’t be trusted.
What we know now is that managing stress is a huge part of our overall wellness, and how we work, as well as the culture around work, can have a huge impact on our mental and physical health.
This book will empower you to take your work life by the proverbial balls (er…ovaries?), so you can feel good every day. And feeling good, as we know, is better for us, for our families, and for the future.
BONUS! One more book rec
I recently finished Chillpreneur by Denise Duffield-Thomas, and it tied all of the above five books in a bow. I’d read them all and then conclude with this one. It combines strong business sense with spirituality, mindset, and money coaching. I absolutely loved it.
Books make great gifts for female entrepreneurs
The next time you’re thinking about what to get your friend who owns a business, ask yourself these questions:
Where is she in her business currently?
What book from the list above might make her smile and say, Wow, they get me?
What has she talked about lately that one of these books could help her better manage? Stress, money, mindset, worthiness?
Whether she says she has time to read (or listen!) to one of these books is not your problem. She’ll get to it when she’s meant to.
And, if you identify as a female entrepreneur, get one of these books for yourself. In some circles (and don’t quote me because I try to stay in my zone of genius per Kate), they count as a write-off.
Happy reading!
Whit