Books for Female Entrepreneurs: Top 15 to Read

Valentina Chilingaryan

Last updated on August 17, 2024 | 17 min read

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Women-owned businesses contribute 20% to the US gross domestic product (GDP), demonstrating their substantial impact on the economy​. Achieving equality in the workplace and business has been a long-standing goal for women. Although significant progress has been made recently, women often still face challenges in most situations to find themselves on equal footing with their male counterparts.

Empowering female entrepreneurs with the right resources is crucial for fostering innovation and leadership in the tech industry. DevsData LLC, a leader in specialized tech talent acquisition, understands the unique challenges women face in business.

DevsData LLC recognizes the importance of equipping entrepreneurs with the right resources. As a company dedicated to supporting innovation and leadership in the tech industry, DevsData is committed to providing the tools and expertise needed to foster entrepreneurial growth.

This curated list of the top 15 books for female entrepreneurs is designed to empower and inspire women at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey. Each book offers a unique perspective on leadership, personal growth, and business acumen, helping to build the skills and confidence necessary to succeed in today’s competitive landscape.

1. Lean In

   

   Author: Sheryl Sandberg
   Pages: 240

   Overview: “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead” by Sheryl Sandberg addresses the challenges women face in achieving leadership roles due to societal barriers and internal hesitations. Sandberg, drawing on her experiences as the COO of Facebook, shares personal stories and practical advice to inspire women to reach their full potential in the workplace. The book emphasizes the importance of women embracing opportunities, confronting fears, and challenging societal expectations. Sandberg advocates for women to “lean in” to their careers and encourages both men and women to support gender equality in the workplace.

   Key takeaways: The concept of “having it all” is unrealistic. Sandberg argues that striving for perfection in every aspect of life is unattainable and that it’s important to prioritize and set realistic goals.

2. Girlboss

   

   Author: Sophia Amoruso
   Pages: 256

   Overview: “Girlboss” by Sophia Amoruso is a memoir that chronicles her journey from a rebellious teenager to the founder and CEO of the fashion retailer Nasty Gal. Amoruso shares her unconventional path to success, highlighting the importance of hard work, resilience, and authenticity. Through her personal stories, she offers insights and advice on how to create your own opportunities and build a successful career. The book is a blend of motivational anecdotes and practical business tips, encouraging readers to embrace their unique qualities and take control of their professional destinies. Amoruso emphasizes the value of learning from failures and staying true to oneself while navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.

   Key takeaways: Success comes from embracing your uniqueness, working hard, and learning from your failures to create your own opportunities.

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3. You Are a Badass at Making Money

   

   Author: Jen Sincero
   Pages: 288

   Overview: “You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth” by Jen Sincero is a motivational guide aimed at helping readers transform their financial lives. Across 288 pages, Sincero combines personal anecdotes, practical advice, and humorous insights to break down the mental barriers that often prevent people from achieving financial success. The book focuses on changing one’s mindset about money, encouraging readers to tap into their potential and take actionable steps toward wealth creation. Sincero emphasizes the importance of overcoming self-doubt, setting clear financial goals, and adopting a positive attitude toward money. By sharing her own experiences and lessons learned, she provides a relatable and inspiring blueprint for readers to follow on their journey to financial independence and abundance.

   Key takeaways: Achieving financial success requires a positive mindset, clear goals, and actionable steps to overcome self-doubt and mental barriers.

4. Own It

   

   Author: Sallie Krawcheck
   Pages: 256

   Overview: “Own It: The Power of Women at Work” by Sallie Krawcheck is an empowering guide for women aiming to achieve success in their careers. Krawcheck, a Wall Street trailblazer, shares her insights on how women can leverage their unique strengths to excel in the workplace. The book addresses the systemic challenges women face and offers practical advice on navigating and overcoming these obstacles. Krawcheck emphasizes the importance of embracing one’s authentic self, building a strong network, and advocating for gender diversity in leadership roles. By sharing her personal experiences and strategies, she aims to inspire women to take control of their professional paths and “own it” in their careers.

   Key takeaways: Women should not be afraid to question and challenge existing workplace norms and practices that do not serve them.

5. Dare to Lead

   

   Author: Brené Brown
   Pages: 320

   Overview: “Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts” by Brené Brown focuses on the importance of courageous leadership in the modern workplace. Brown, a research professor and expert on vulnerability, provides a roadmap for leaders to cultivate bravery and empathy in their teams. The book emphasizes the significance of having tough conversations, building trust, and creating a culture where people feel safe to show up as their whole selves. Brown combines research findings, personal anecdotes, and practical tools to help leaders foster a more authentic and resilient work environment. By encouraging vulnerability and wholehearted leadership, she aims to inspire leaders to transform their organizations through bravery and empathy.

   Key takeaways: Courageous leadership involves embracing vulnerability, fostering trust, and having tough conversations to create a resilient and authentic workplace.

6. Big Magic

   

   Author: Elizabeth Gilbert
   Pages: 288

   Overview: “Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear” by Elizabeth Gilbert is a motivational book that explores the nature of creativity and how to embrace it fully. Gilbert, the author of “Eat, Pray, Love,” delves into the challenges and joys of living a creative life. She encourages readers to overcome their fears, take risks, and pursue their passions with courage and curiosity. The book is filled with personal anecdotes, insights, and practical advice on how to live creatively in a way that is enriching and fulfilling. Gilbert emphasizes the importance of perseverance, embracing failure, and maintaining a playful attitude toward the creative process.

   Key takeaways: Living a creative life requires overcoming fear, taking risks, and embracing failure with courage and curiosity.

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7. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

   

   Author: Stephen R. Covey
   Pages: 381

   Overview: “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change” by Stephen R. Covey is a seminal self-help book that offers a principle-centered approach to solving personal and professional problems. Covey presents a holistic and integrated framework of seven habits that help individuals achieve personal and interpersonal effectiveness. The book emphasizes the importance of character ethics, proactive behavior, and continuous improvement. Covey’s approach is based on timeless principles such as fairness, integrity, honesty, and human dignity. He provides practical advice and exercises to help readers internalize these habits and apply them to their daily lives, fostering growth, productivity, and meaningful relationships.

   Key takeaways: Achieving personal and professional effectiveness involves adopting seven foundational habits centered on fairness, integrity, and proactive behavior.

8. Atomic Habits

   

   Author: James Clear
   Pages: 320

   Overview: “Atomic Habits” by James Clear is a practical guide on how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results. Clear explains how small, incremental changes can lead to significant improvements in personal and professional lives. The book delves into the science of habits and provides actionable strategies for creating and sustaining habits that can transform lives.
   Clear emphasizes the importance of understanding how habits work, using systems rather than goals, and making small changes that compound over time. Through compelling stories and practical advice, he illustrates how anyone can harness the power of atomic habits to achieve lasting success.

   Key takeaways: Small changes in habits can vitally improve both personal and business lives.

9. Girl Code

   

   Author: Cara Alwill Leyba
   Pages: 178

   Overview: “Girl Code: Unlocking the Secrets to Success, Sanity, and Happiness for the Female Entrepreneur” by Cara Alwill Leyba is a motivational guide aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs. Leyba combines personal anecdotes, insights, and advice to inspire women to build successful businesses while maintaining their sanity and happiness. The book emphasizes the importance of collaboration over competition, encouraging women to support each other in their entrepreneurial journeys. Leyba addresses common challenges faced by female entrepreneurs, such as self-doubt and work-life balance, and provides practical tips for overcoming these obstacles. By sharing stories of successful women and offering actionable advice, “Girl Code” aims to help readers cultivate confidence, resilience, and a positive mindset in their professional and personal lives.

   Key takeaways: Collaboration, confidence, and resilience are key to building a successful and fulfilling entrepreneurial journey for women.

10. Radical Candor

    

    Author: Kim Scott
    Pages: 272

    Overview: “Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity” by Kim Scott is a leadership guide that advocates for a management style based on caring personally and challenging directly. Scott, drawing on her experiences at Google and Apple, provides a framework for effective communication and team management that fosters trust and respect. The book emphasizes the importance of honest feedback, both giving and receiving, to build strong, productive relationships in the workplace. Scott introduces the concept of “Radical Candor” as a balance between being empathetic and assertive. She offers practical advice and tools for leaders to create a culture of open communication, where team members feel valued and motivated to perform at their best. Through real-life examples and actionable insights, Scott aims to help leaders drive results without compromising their humanity.

    Key takeaways: Effective leadership combines empathy with assertiveness, fostering a culture of open communication and trust through honest feedback.

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11. Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office

    

    Author: Lois P. Frankel
    Pages: 300

    Overview: “Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office: Unconscious Mistakes Women Make That Sabotage Their Careers” by Lois P. Frankel is a comprehensive guide aimed at helping women identify and overcome behaviors that may hinder their career advancement. The book focuses on how to cultivate a professional demeanor and strategies for achieving success in the workplace.

    The book encourages women to become more self-aware and conduct honest self-assessments. By recognizing these unconscious mistakes, women can take proactive steps to change their behavior. Also, the book outlines steps for career advancement, such as setting clear goals, seeking mentorship, and leveraging networks. It emphasizes the importance of being strategic about career moves.

    Key takeaways: Women often fall into the trap of trying to please everyone, which can dilute their professional effectiveness. Learning to set boundaries and prioritize one’s own goals is crucial.

12. Girl on Fire

    

    Author: Cara Alwill Leyba
    Pages: 168

    Overview: “Girl on Fire” by Cara Alwill Leyba is a motivational and empowering book designed to inspire women to take control of their lives, pursue their passions, and live unapologetically. The book focuses on empowering women to believe in themselves and their abilities. Leyba emphasizes the importance of self-confidence and self-worth.

    Leyba advocates for living authentically and embracing one’s true self. She encourages readers to stop trying to fit into molds created by society and instead celebrate their individuality. Confronting and overcoming fear is a central theme. Leyba shares strategies for facing fears head-on and not letting them hold back personal or professional growth.

    Key takeaways: Everyone’s journey is different, and it’s important to embrace and celebrate one’s unique path rather than comparing oneself to others.

13. Lead from the outside

    

    Author: Stacey Abrams
    Pages: 256

    Overview: “Lead from the Outside: How to Build Your Future and Make Real Change” by Stacey Abrams is a guide for outsiders who want to make a significant impact and lead effectively despite systemic barriers. Drawing from her own experiences as a political leader, entrepreneur, and advocate, Abrams provides practical advice and strategies for overcoming challenges and achieving success.

    Abrams delves into the importance of advocacy and activism, providing practical tips for mobilizing communities, influencing policy, and driving social change. Building and leveraging a supportive network is crucial for success. Abrams discusses the value of community, mentorship, and coalition-building in amplifying one’s impact.

    Key takeaways: Cultivating a strong network of supporters, mentors, and allies is essential. Abrams advises investing in relationships that can provide guidance, support, and opportunities.

14. Shark Tales

    

    Author: Barbara Corcoran
    Pages: 320

    Overview: “Shark Tales” is an engaging and motivational read that combines Barbara Corcoran’s personal journey with practical business advice. Through her compelling storytelling and valuable insights, Corcoran provides a blueprint for aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders. The book inspires readers to overcome their fears, embrace their unique strengths, and pursue their dreams with tenacity and creativity. By sharing her experiences and lessons learned, Corcoran offers a roadmap for turning small beginnings into extraordinary success.

    Corcoran provides insights into her innovative marketing strategies that helped her stand out in the competitive New York real estate market. She shares tips on branding, publicity, and leveraging media to grow a business.

    Key takeaways: Failure is a natural part of the journey to success. Corcoran encourages readers to embrace their failures, learn from them, and keep moving forward.

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15. Power Moves

    

    Author: Lauren McGoodwin
    Pages: 288

    Overview: “Power Moves: How Women Can Pivot, Reboot, and Build a Career of Purpose” by Lauren McGoodwin is a practical career guide for women looking to navigate the modern workplace, make strategic career moves, and build fulfilling careers. Drawing from her own experiences and those of other successful women, McGoodwin offers actionable advice and strategies for professional growth.

    McGoodwin emphasizes the importance of recognizing when it’s time for a career change and provides guidance on how to successfully pivot or reboot a career. She encourages women to assess their current career satisfaction and take bold steps towards more fulfilling opportunities. The book focuses on building a career with purpose, aligning work with personal values and goals. McGoodwin provides tools for identifying what truly matters to the reader and how to incorporate these elements into their career choices.

    Key takeaways: Continual learning and skills development are crucial in a rapidly changing job market. McGoodwin highlights the importance of staying adaptable and continually improving one’s skill set.

Final thoughts

The journey of female entrepreneurs is marked by both challenges and triumphs. As women continue to make significant strides in the business world, their contributions are increasingly recognized as vital to the economy’s growth and innovation. Since DevsData LLC establishment, women have comprised a significant portion of the company, consistently representing more than half of the workforce. The top 15 books for female entrepreneurs curated in this list serve as invaluable resources, offering insights, strategies, and inspiration tailored to the unique experiences of women in business. By providing the knowledge and tools needed to thrive, DevsData LLC empowers female entrepreneurs to navigate the complexities of leadership, cultivate personal and professional growth, and achieve their full potential in today’s competitive landscape.

By embracing the wisdom and guidance found in these books, female entrepreneurs can navigate the complexities of leadership, cultivate personal and professional growth, and achieve their full potential. DevsData LLC’s commitment to supporting innovation and leadership in the tech industry underscores the importance of empowering women with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive. With the right resources, women can continue to break barriers, drive change, and lead with confidence in the ever-evolving business landscape.

Any questions or comments? Let me know on Twitter/X.

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Valentina Chilingaryan Copywriter

An experienced copywriter with a knack for storytelling, she transforms complex tech concepts into captivating narratives that deeply resonate with tech enthusiasts.

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