I asked 70+ founders about THE ONE book that actually moved the needle in their business. Here are 8 books that came up repeatedly:
1. The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick
This book will save you from building something nobody wants. Rob teaches you how to talk to customers without them lying to you (which they always do). Most founders ask terrible questions and get polite lies instead of brutal truth. This book shows you exactly what to ask and how to ask it.
2. The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz
Ben doesn't sugarcoat anything about running a company. This book is about the decisions that keep CEOs up at night - laying people off, firing friends, pivoting when everything's falling apart. Most business books tell you what to do when things go right. This one prepares you for when everything goes wrong.
3. $100M Offers by Alex Hormozi
Alex shows you how to create offers so good people feel stupid saying no. This isn't about copywriting tricks - it's about actually structuring your product and pricing in a way that makes buying a no-brainer. Game-changing stuff for anyone selling anything.
4. Oversubscribed by Daniel Priestley
Forget everything you know about marketing and sales. Daniel teaches you how to create more demand than you can handle from day one. Most businesses chase customers. This book shows you how to make customers chase you instead.
5. Principles by Ray Dalio
Ray built one of the world's most successful hedge funds using radical transparency and systematic decision-making. This book teaches you how to create principles for everything - hiring, firing, strategy, culture. Most companies make emotional decisions. Ray shows you how to make better ones.
6. Never Split the Difference by Christopher Voss
Chris was an FBI hostage negotiator. Now he teaches you how to negotiate like your life depends on it (because sometimes it does). This isn't about win-win nonsense - it's about actually getting what you want while making the other person feel good about it.
7. Founder Brand by Dave Gerhardt
Dave shows you exactly how to build a personal brand that drives business results. Most founders think personal branding is vanity. Dave proves it's the most effective marketing channel you're not using. Essential reading if you want to stand out in a crowded market.
8. Hey Whipple, Squeeze This by Luke Sullivan
The best book on advertising and creative thinking ever written. Luke teaches you how to cut through the noise and create ads that people actually remember. Even if you're not in advertising, this book will change how you think about messaging and creativity.
TAKEAWAY:
Most business books are just the same advice repackaged with a new title.These 8 books actually changed how successful people think about building and selling.
