12 inspirational books by female entrepreneurs
It’s - Global Entrepreneurship Week - a week when people all over the world unite through a whole series of events, programs, and initiatives in a bid to inspire others to consider the entrepreneurship pathway.
We thought we would mark the occasion by once again shining a light on some of the inspiring female entrepreneurs who have sought to inspire others via both their business endeavours and the books they have written.
So whether you’re looking for a new book to read or you’re in need of a few ideas for gifts as we approach the festive season, this list of 12 books filled with insights, inspiration, and lessons learned, should hopefully help.
1 Anne Boden - Banking on It: How I Disrupted an Industry
Having founded Starling Bank after an impressive career in finance, Anne's story isn't simply about going down the entrepreneurship route. It's much much more!
In this book, you'll learn about how Anne's drive and desire to shake up the world of consumer banking saw her overcoming all sorts of challenges - from bureaucracy to prejudice. Read this and be inspired by her ingenuity, innovation, and sheer commitment and resilience!
2 Rachel Bridge - How To Start a Business without Any Money
In her role as Enterprise Editor for the Sunday Times, Rachel Bridge had the opportunity to interview hundreds of entrepreneurs, discovering and then sharing all about their journeys to success. In this book, she provides insights into her own entrepreneurial journey, disclosing the lessons she learned along the way and examples of how other entrepreneurs have handled the typical ups and downs of business.
It’s informative, filled with practical guidance and as the title suggests, aims to show how a good idea, hard work, and resilience can go a long way in achieving business success!
3 Holly Tucker - Do What You Love, Love What You
As co-founder of notonthehighstreet and creator of Holly & Co, it’s pretty fair to say that Holly Tucker MBE knows a lot about small businesses! Passionate about inspiring others to build a business doing what they love, in this book, Holly doesn’t simply share business tips and lessons learned, she explores the skills and the mindset that’s needed too.
Broken down into well-structured sections, it’s a book that can easily be read in one sitting or dipped into when you’ve got a few minutes to spare. Holly aims to inspire everyone from those embarking on their first side hustles to those in need of a little more encouragement to help their existing business grow and thrive - turning those passions into profits!
4 Anya Hindmarch - If In Doubt, Wash Your Hair
In this book, the inspirational entrepreneur and designer behind the eponymous fashion accessories brand doesn’t simply share the story of how she created and ran a global business; she also shares all sorts of personal anecdotes and tips, and advice that she received along the way.
Anya is open and honest about balancing the demands of building a business with everyday family life, sharing lessons she’s learned, worries she’s faced, and quick fixes that have helped. This down-to-earth, humorous, and yet oh-so-practical story won’t fail to inspire you!
5 Juliet Davenport - The Green Start-up: Make your Business Better for the Planet
Written by Juliet Davenport OBE, the founder and former CEO of renewable energy company Good Energy, this book aims to be a guide to help startups and established businesses alike address environmental challenges and operate in a greener and more sustainable way.
So whether you want to discover what sustainability really means, get practical tips on how to hire ethically, or get insights on innovative businesses that are making a profit and also looking after the planet, this is the book for you. It’s a combination of environmentalism and entrepreneurship and a must-read!
6 Payal Kadakia - LifePass: A Groundbreaking Approach to Goal Setting
The inspirational founder of ClassPass, Payal Kadakia knows what it takes to build a multi-million-pound business and in this book, she aims to help others succeed - not only in business but in life too.
If you are in need of a little more direction and feel that a change in approach is what you need, this is the book for you. You’ll get guidance on everything from setting actionable goals and listening to your own voice, to turning setbacks into opportunities and building a supportive tribe.
7 Sara Davies - We Can All Make It
As the founder of Crafter's Companion, a company she started from her student bedroom, and the youngest ever female investor in Dragons’ Den, Sara Davies has a warm, witty, and down-to-earth approach to business which is one of the keys to her success.
In this memoir, she tells the story of how she got where she is today, how she strives to achieve work-life balance, and how with that magic combo of determination, ambition, and passion, anything is possible!
8 Elizabeth Ogabi - Side Hustle in Progress
If you’ve got an idea for starting a side hustle, but need a bit of a boost to get it up and running this no-nonsense guide from Elizabeth Ogabi, the Founder and CEO of For Working Ladies and Leicour ought to be your next read.
As someone who has embarked on that same road, Elizabeth draws on her own experience and shares tips that will help with all aspects of starting a business - whether it’s clarifying and refining your vision and mission or building your founding team. And with additional case studies from successful female founders across a range of sectors, this is a veritable handbook of wisdom!
9 Kubi Springer - I Am My Brand
Shortlisted for the 2020 Business Book Awards, this book by award-winning International Brand Consultant, Kubi Springer aims to offer practical guidance to female entrepreneurs on building a personal brand.
Drawing on both her own professional expertise and techniques used by other successful women, this is a book that will empower and inspire! You’ll get advice on the skills you’ll need to hone, and how to overcome challenges and will learn what it really takes to create and grow a strong personal brand.
10 Alice Bentinck - How to be a Founder
In this book, Alice Bentinck shares advice, insights and lessons learned from both her own experience in business as co-founder of Entrepreneur First, as well as all those she has helped to become founders over the years.
There's info and tips on the entire startup journey - from choosing and refining your business idea to working with VCs and angel investors to scale your business. It's all covered here!
11 Grace Beverley - Working Hard, Hardly Working
If you feel as though you’re working harder than ever and still not getting the results you want or are struggling to get the balance you need, then this book by Grace Beverly, founder, and CEO of TALA ought to help.
Written in a conversational style, it aims to help you reflect on what you really want and provides guidance on how to get there. From establishing new routines and becoming more productive to appreciating your own value and taking the time for self-care, it’s a fresh take on the concept of working smarter.
12 Shaa Wasmund - Stop Talking, Start Doing
If you’ve ever yearned to do your own thing and have always been held back by an innate fear of failure, this is the book for you. Written by investor and entrepreneur Shaa Wasmund, it aims to be, as the title indicates, the “kick in the pants” you need.
Shaa strives to help you understand the issues that are holding you back and then provides advice on how to overcome them. It’s not about creating a long-term vision and putting a plan together for the future, it’s about starting right now. No more talking - it’s all about the doing!
And if you’re still in need of a little further inspiration, why not check out these wonderful books that we had previously highlighted for International Women's Day.
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