Are you looking for the best books for female entrepreneurs? The endless options can feel overwhelming, so we have carefully curated the best books for women entrepreneurs. Real women recommend these top books, whether you are launching, scaling, or want to stay motivated.
Plus, we explore the best books about female entrepreneurs, so you can get real advice from women who made it.
Handpicked Books for Female Entrepreneurs
Top 10 Books for Female Entrepreneurs
Photo of the author, researcher, and storyteller Brené Brown is licensed under CC BY 4.0
1. Purple Cow by Seth Godin
Serial female e-commerce entrepreneur Marcia Kilgore says this is one of the top books for female entrepreneurs, as it encourages us to really think about our product. This book is a manifesto for anyone who wants to create products and services that are worth marketing in the first place. It’s about standing out, being remarkable, and refusing to blend in.
2. Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine
This is one of the best books for female entrepreneurs who want to run a profitable business from day one. Michalowicz argues that by taking profit first—and budgeting expenses with what remains—entrepreneurs can grow lean, sustainable companies that actually generate wealth.
3. Originals by Adam Grant
Grant explores how non-conformists move the world by championing new ideas and standing up to the status quo. Through fascinating research and stories, Originals inspires female founders to embrace risk, reject norms, and drive innovation—whether you’re launching a startup or reimagining your leadership style.
4. Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman
Nita Tandon recommended this business memoir by Patagonia’s founder. “It’s a powerful reminder that business can be built with purpose, ethics, and a commitment to sustainability,” she says. If you’re a values-driven entrepreneur looking to scale impact, not just profit, it is one of the best books for female entrepreneurs.
5. Blitzscaling: The Lightning-Fast Path to Building Massively Valuable Companies by Reid Hoffman and Chris Yeh
Amelia Miller loved Blitzscaling. “Anyone building in HRTech should read it. It breaks down how LinkedIn scaled at speed and the mindset shift required to build something big, fast, and bold,” she says. Learn how to embrace calculated chaos and prioritize speed when your goal is to scale globally.
6. Million Dollar Women: The Essential Guide for Female Entrepreneurs Who Want to Go Big
Written by a female entrepreneur who raised capital and built a multimillion-dollar company, this book is part strategy guide, part personal journey. Pimsleur offers practical advice for women who want to grow fast, raise funds, and go beyond solopreneur status. It’s an essential read for anyone aiming to build a scalable business.
7. On Brand: Shape Your Narrative. Share Your Vision. Shift Their Perception
Aliza Licht, a former fashion executive, shares insider tips from her experiences and advice from renowned contributors to give you a step-by-step game plan for building your most important brand: the brand of you. This book on personal branding will help female entrepreneurs shape their narrative and everything that flows from that.
8. The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
Fleur Melkert’s favorite book is “The Infinite Game” by Simon Sinek. “It for sure shaped the way I think about building a company—not as a race to win, but as a long-term mission to create lasting impact,” she says. This is one of the best books for women entrepreneurs ready to lead with vision, values, and resilience.
9. Atomic Habits
Michele Ferron recommends Atomic Habits for any female entrepreneur who’s juggling priorities. This book offers science-backed techniques for building habits that stick, perfect for staying consistent, productive, and focused as your business grows.
10. Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
Loes Daniels, businesswoman and founder, says Dare to Lead changed how she communicates with her team. “It’s helped me be more open in my communication with colleagues,” she shares. Brené Brown brings her signature vulnerability and research-driven wisdom to leadership, making this a must-read for any woman building a team or culture.
Must-Read Books About Female Entrepreneurs
These are the books that dive deep into the real stories of female entrepreneurs — the struggles, pivots, breakthroughs, and philosophies behind the women who built game-changing companies.
1. Shark Tales: How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion-Dollar Business by Barbara Corcoran
Before she became a household name on Shark Tank, Barbara Corcoran turned a $1,000 loan into one of New York’s largest real estate empires. This book is part memoir, part no-nonsense playbook for scrappy entrepreneurs. Corcoran’s storytelling is witty, gutsy, and packed with real lessons about resilience, risk, and using what you’ve got to make it work.
2. Bossypants by Tina Fey
Tina Fey might be best known for comedy, but Bossypants is also a brilliant commentary on leadership, self-confidence, and building a career in male-dominated spaces. Her witty, razor-sharp stories highlight how authenticity and ambition can coexist, making it a favorite among creative entrepreneurs and corporate leaders alike.
3. Playing Big: Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create, and Lead
Tara Mohr challenges women to step outside of fear-based thinking and into their full potential. Playing Big explores the inner blocks that hold women back and offers actionable tools to build confidence and voice. It’s an essential read for any entrepreneur who wants to lead from within, not just follow someone else’s blueprint.
4. BANKING ON IT by Anne Boden
Anne Boden was the first woman to establish a British bank, Starling Bank. She takes readers behind the scenes of what it took to shake up a male-dominated industry. From boardroom battles to investor skepticism, this is a story of grit, innovation, and disruption.
5. My Life in Full: Work, Family, and Our Future by Indra Nooyi
Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, shares her groundbreaking journey from Chennai to the C-suite. My Life in Full is an honest, deeply personal exploration of ambition, leadership, and the balancing act of being a mother and a global business leader. It’s one of the most powerful books about female entrepreneurs ever written — not just for what it teaches, but for how it makes you feel seen.
What Women Entrepreneur Book Should I Start Reading?
You may wonder, Where do I start when looking at the best books for female entrepreneurs? Not every woman in business is the same. Whether you’re launching your first venture, scaling your team, or need a dose of confidence, here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right read for where you are right now.
New Founder → Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
If you’re in the early stages of your entrepreneurial journey, this book will completely shift how you think about money. Instead of following traditional startup burnout culture, Profit First shows you how to build a business that pays you first, smart, sustainable, and cash-positive from day one.
Scaling CEO → Blitzscaling by Reid Hoffman
Ready to grow fast and go global? Blitzscaling is your essential guide. With behind-the-scenes insights from companies like LinkedIn, this book breaks down what it takes to scale at speed — and what leadership looks like when you’re navigating exponential growth.
Need Motivation? → Playing Big by Tara Mohr
Feeling stuck or held back by self-doubt? Playing Big is a powerful mindset shift for women ready to reclaim their voice, take up space, and lead with purpose. It’s the boost of clarity and courage every entrepreneur needs at some point in her journey.
Building a Team? → Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
As your business grows, your leadership style matters more than ever. Dare to Lead dives deep into vulnerability, trust, and communication, helping you build not just a team, but a culture. It’s essential reading for any founder who wants to lead with courage and empathy and one of the best business books for women.
What to Read Next? The 10 Best Leadership Books for Women Who Want to Lead Like a CEO
The Best Women in Business Podcasts
If you want to grow professionally, podcasts for women in business are one of the easiest ways to absorb valuable information. Plug in a female entrepreneur podcast and feel inspired to carve out your own career.
FAQ: Books for Female Entrepreneurs
What are the best books for female entrepreneurs in 2025?
The best books for female entrepreneurs in 2025 combine practical strategy with bold inspiration. Top picks include:
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz – for mastering your business finances
Million Dollar Women by Julia Pimsleur – for scaling with confidence
Playing Big by Tara Mohr – for overcoming self-doubt and leading with vision
On Brand by Aliza Licht – for building a powerful personal and business identity
Dare to Lead by Brené Brown – for team-building and authentic leadership
Are there books specifically for women starting a business?
Yes, several books are tailored to the unique challenges and mindset shifts that come with launching your first business. We recommend:
Profit First – to create a sustainable, profitable foundation from day one
Million Dollar Women – for learning how to think bigger from the start
Blitzscaling: The Lightning-Fast Path to Building Massively Valuable Companies by Reid Hoffman and Chris Yeh
What book should every woman in business read?
Playing Big by Tara Mohr is a standout. It speaks directly to the internal and external challenges women face when stepping into leadership — from silencing inner critics to setting bold goals. Whether you’re an executive, entrepreneur, or creative, Playing Big equips you to lead with intention and confidence.
Honorable mentions:
Atomic Habits by James Clear – for consistent growth
On Brand by Aliza Licht – for mastering your message
Dare to Lead by Brené Brown – for shaping team culture
How can I learn from successful female entrepreneurs?
The best way is to read their stories, unfiltered and in their own words. Start with:
Shark Tales by Barbara Corcoran
BANKING ON IT by Anne Boden
My Life in Full by Indra Nooyi
What to Read Next? Who is The Most Successful Businesswoman? Here Are The Top 10 According to Net Worth
