Michele's Top 10 Books to Build a Sustainable and Thriving Small Business - 2025 Update
So, I thought I’d give a little update on what I have been reading over the past 12 months, and what I have on my ‘to be read’ list.
When I say I have read these books, some of them I am still reading—I'm one of those people who always has multiple books on the go.
An audiobook in the car, a non-fiction and a novel (or two) on my bedside table. I like to read based on my mood—many evenings, I just need something easy to switch my mind off things.
This post is all about the business-related books. As you can tell, I love to read a huge variety of perspectives—as an extremely curious person, I learn something from all of them, and I'm happy if I can take one or two things away to implement.
What I’ve Read in 2024 (business book edition)
1. Day Trading Attention: How to Actually Build Brand and Sales in the New Social Media World
An energetic (if slightly exhausting) look at building brand and sales in today’s fast-paced social media world. Mixed thoughts on this, but interesting nonetheless.
READ | LISTEN
2. We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman’s Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth, and Gaining Economic Power
What a book! It emphasises changing the way women think about money, encouraging them to embrace abundance and reject the scarcity mindset.
“Stop making broke-ass decisions and start making Million Dollar Decisions.”
It’s a little heavy on money focus for me, but the author has a point, and as you can tell from this list, I love reading all sorts of perspectives.
READ | LISTEN
3. Do Nothing: Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing and Underliving
The book delves into the historical evolution of work culture, from the Industrial Revolution to the digital age, showing how our work habits have become increasingly unsustainable.
Headlee debunks the myth that constant productivity is necessary for success and argues that rest and leisure are essential for creativity and mental health.
Leisure is not laziness; it’s vital for a fulfilling life.
As someone teetering on the edge of burnout this year, this book was a timely reminder that rest is as important as work.
READ | LISTEN
4. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
A classic for a reason. Its principles are timeless, offering a practical roadmap for achieving balance, fulfilment, and meaningful success in all areas of life.
READ | LISTEN
5. Reinventing Organizations: A Guide to Creating Organizations Inspired by the Next Stage of Human Consciousness
Recommended over a chance meeting with a local business coach—this book challenges the traditional structures of control and hierarchy, offering a compelling blueprint for organisations that prioritise humanity, adaptability, and long-term purpose.
READ | LISTEN
6. Currently Reading: The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
It introduces a systematic, scientific approach to building and scaling businesses, emphasising agility, experimentation, and learning from failure.7. The Toyota Way, Second Edition: 14 Management Principles from the World's Greatest Manufacturer By Jeffrey Liker
As the grandaddy of operational excellence, this one is a slow burner for me - and still on the go. It’s got some dense material to uncover, and some strong principles to learn from, although heavy on the world of manufacturing - which is not quite relevant for us, but as I mentioned, always curious to learn broadly.
It’s about fostering a culture of respect, innovation, and relentless improvement that aligns with long-term goals.
To be Read List in 2025
These are all Christmas Gifts, that I am ready to delve into this year:
- How to Lead by Jo Owen
The definitive guide to effective leadership. A practical guide to becoming an effective leader, covering essential skills like communication, decision-making, and team-building. Packed with actionable tips and real-world examples.
- Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Explores the two systems of thought—fast, intuitive thinking and slow, deliberate reasoning—and how they shape decisions. A must-read for understanding how our minds work.
READ | LISTEN
- Team Habits by Charlie Gilkey
Offers practical strategies to improve team dynamics, fostering better collaboration, communication, and productivity for cohesive and effective teams.
READ | LISTEN
- How Boards Work by Dambisa Moyo
An insightful look at the role of boards in organisations, covering governance, decision-making, and strategic planning—essential for anyone engaging with leadership.
READ | LISTEN
- Content Strategy for the Web by Kristina Halvorson and Melissa Rach
Recommended on a podcast I listened to—haven’t read this yet, but it’s on the pile. A comprehensive guide to creating effective website content, aligning it with business goals and audience needs. Ideal for anyone managing digital content.
If you’d like to read my all time top suggestions, head to last years blog post, where I’ve shared my all time faves, like ‘Let my people go surfing’, by Yvon Chounard and Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller. Read it here.