Top books for entrepreneurs and small business owners in 2025

It's a new year, and whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur looking to level up or a new business owner just getting started, there's no better time to focus on your business acumen. This curated selection of books covers four key areas of business success, each chosen to provide practical, actionable insights. Each can help you build a more resilient and profitable business in 2025, from foundational strategy to daily habits, from innovative thinking to financial savvy.

Strategy and growth

• Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman
  Learn to implement the Entrepreneurial Operating System to gain clarity, improve execution, and scale your business effectively.
• Small Business Revolution by Barry McCarthy
  Practical insights and strategies for modern entrepreneurs looking to thrive in today’s ever-changing small business landscape.
• The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber
  A classic that challenges entrepreneurs to work on their business rather than just in it, offering practical steps to systematize and scale.
  
  

Productivity and habits

• The Daily Entrepreneur by S.J. Scott and Rebecca Livermore
  A guide to building success habits that drive daily progress and long-term achievement for small business owners and freelancers.
• Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
  Explores the importance of perseverance and passion in achieving entrepreneurial and personal success.
• Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
  A best-selling guide on how small changes can lead to remarkable results, making it a must-read for entrepreneurs and small business owners aiming for peak productivity.
  
  

Innovation and operational excellence

• Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
  Challenges traditional business practices and offers unconventional advice for running lean and impactful small businesses.
• Measure What Matters by John Doerr
  Learn how to set and achieve ambitious goals using the OKR (Objectives and Key Results) framework.
• Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems & Test New Ideas in Just 5 Days by Jake Knapp
  A proven process for tackling challenges, innovating solutions, and quickly iterating ideas in just one workweek.
  
  

Financial mastery

• Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz
  A revolutionary system to prioritize profit, ensuring financial health and sustainability for small businesses.
• Financial Intelligence: A Manager’s Guide to Knowing What the Numbers Really Mean by Karen Berman and Joe Knight
  A practical and accessible guide that demystifies financial reports and metrics, helping entrepreneurs and managers make better financial decisions.
• Canadian Small Business Tax Book 2025
  A must-have resource for navigating tax planning, deductions, and compliance specific to Canadian small business owners.