The Best Books for Starting a Small Business

by Louie Doverspike

Starting your own business can be a bewildering process on many levels. Simply finding the motivation to leave behind an old job can be difficult, let alone navigating the details of accounting, staffing and marketing your new start-up. Luckily, there are a number of fine writers who have been through the same process and are now eager to offer their advice. Here are some of the best books about starting a small business available today.
You Need To Be A Little Bit Crazy

"You Need To Be A Little Bit Crazy: The Truth About Starting And Growing Your Business" by Barry J. Moltz is a great way to begin thinking about staring a small business. Moltz asks the reader to investigate her motivations and find the business model that will keep her going through the tough times. Moltz schools readers in adjusting expectations, finding good help and identifying niches in the market worth exploiting.

Escape From Cubicle Nation

An exceptional road-map from workplace drudgery to entrepreneurial freedom is provided by Pamela Slim in her book "Escape From Cubicle Nation." Slim's book bridges the gap between working for someone else and working for yourself. Her advice is both aspirational and practical, with a strong focus on readjusting your strategies and work for the different environment that is the small business world.
Streetwise Small Business Book Of Lists

When it comes to nuts and bolts small business advice, it's hard to beat the "Streetwise Small Business Book Of Lists" by Gene Marks. Rather than providing long-winded advice on motivations and vague processes, Marks is all about the facts. Lists are written by top financial experts and include data on the best technology, money-saving tips, dealing with taxes and everything in between. If information is your problem, the "Streetwise Small Business Book Of Lists" is the answer.
How Markets Fail

John Cassidy's "How Markets Fail" looks at the bigger picture, identifying the mistakes businesses and investors make on a macro level. You'll be surprised how much of this illuminating text applies to the small business mentality. Avoid the mistakes of the market as a whole and you'll find your business has a head up on everyone else.