10 Resources to Learn to Be an Entrepreneur

“You are what you eat.” This phrase typically refers to the food we consume. However, you are also the knowledge you consume.

In his book, Entrepreneurial Leap (book summary), Gino Wickman claims that you need to continuously learn to succeed in your own business. There is a lot of information out there, so you need to sift through the noise and figure out what works best for you and your business.

What are Entrepreneurial Resources?

To help your quest for knowledge, this post provides 10 ways to learn and grow as an entrepreneur:

1. Read Nonfiction: Read at least one book per month. Then, check out our best business book summaries to find your next read.
2. Read Biographies: Occasionally, check out books containing the stories of the most successful entrepreneurs.
3. Listen to Podcasts: Listen to interviews, talk shows, and educational segments, which can be done during mindless activities.
4. Watch Educational Videos: Check out online videos on leadership, motivation, entrepreneurship, and business.
5. Read Business Blogs: Read about business from articles and posts on business websites and blogs.
6. Connect with Entrepreneurs: Build quality relationships through networking, mentorship, coaching, and masterminds.
7. Take a Personality Assessment: Learn about your strengths and weaknesses using personality quizzes such as Kolbe A Index, DiSC, Myers-Briggs, etc.
8. Take Time for Coffee: Spend about an hour per week in a coffee shop to get out of your typical environment, review your work, and work on your business.
9. Read Inspiration Quotes: Inspire yourself regularly by reading quotes. Check out @theprocesshacker on Instagram or our productivity quote post to motivate you.
10. Look at Your Bank Balance: Reviewing this metric will motivate you to keep growing your business and income.

For more on entrepreneurship, check out Entrepreneurial Leap or our summary of the book. Now, let’s discuss each way in detail.

#1) Read Nonfiction to Get Business Ideas

Many CEOs attribute reading to their success, as it has been said that the average CEO reads about a book per week or 4-5 books per month. However, you should read at least one nonfiction book per month, especially if you are just starting out.

Business Book Recommendations

Check out the following books with accompanying book summaries to find your next read:

• Traction by Gino Wickman: Helps entrepreneurs implement EOS and the Six Key Components to gain traction and grow their businesses.
• Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman: Provides a guide for the integral relationship between a Visionary and an Integrator.
• Entrepreneurial Leap by Gino Wickman: This book helps one determine whether they are an entrepreneur-in-the-making, take the leap, and become one.
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven R. Covey presents a holistic approach to living with principles, pursuing opportunities, and solving issues.
• The Lean Startup by Eric Ries shows how entrepreneurs continually innovate to build and grow valuable and successful businesses.
• The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber: Dismantles the myths of starting a business and shows you how to use the lessons of franchising to succeed.
• Crushing It by Gary Vaynerchuk shows individuals how to grow a personal brand or business brand or follow around their passion.
• Essentialism by Greg McKeown: Teaches you how to discern what is essential, eliminate everything trivial, and execute on what matters most.
• Start with Why by Simon Sinek: Claims that what you do in business does not matter, but it is why you do what you are doing.
• The 1-Page Marketing Plan by Allan Dib: Helps you get prospects interested in your offer, get leads to buy, and turn customers into raving fans.
• Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller: Shows you how to take your customers through their journey to effectively explain what your company offers.

Please note that book summaries are a great way to review what you have read. However, do more than just read book summaries; you will not absorb the information. Instead, take time to read, review with a book summary, and apply what you have learned.

#2) Read Biographies of Successful Entrepreneurs

Biographies and autobiographies of successful entrepreneurs offer invaluable insights into the journeys behind thriving businesses. These narratives illuminate the initial ideation of the product or service, developing a robust business plan and the critical marketing strategy that propelled them to success. 

Many entrepreneurs share their experiences in making tough decisions, scaling their operations, and securing funding from venture capital firms and venture capitalists.

Moreover, these stories delve into how entrepreneurs navigated complex challenges, such as securing a crucial business loan, partnering with potential business partners, or expanding through opportunities like joining the International Franchise Association or Horsepower Brands.

They also detail how these individuals managed crises, fostering resilience and adaptability, essential traits for any successful business leader. By studying these accounts, you gain not just strategies but also the inspiration to push through adversities in your entrepreneurial journey.

Biography and Autobiography Recommendations

Check out the following book suggestions to learn:

• Losing My Virginity: How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way by Richard Branson: Branson founded the conglomerate of Virgin Group, which consists of companies in commercial aviation, spaceflight, radio, etc.
• Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson: Elon Musk is the founder and CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, Neuralink, and The Boring Company. This book details his journey from a startup owner to one of the most influential entrepreneurs in the world.
• The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life by Alice Schroeder: He is an American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. Buffet is the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, a multinational conglomerate holding company.

• Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Happier Life by Arianna Huffington: Huffington founded The Huffington Post and Thrive Global.
• Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight: Knight founded and was the CEO of Nike, the world’s largest supplier of athletic apparel and shoes.
• The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon by Brad Stone. Jeff Bezos founded and was the CEO of Amazon, which is a vast online marketplace and cloud computing provider.
• Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandberg. Sandberg was the COO of Facebook, a social networking service.
• Steve Jobs: The Executive Biography by Walter Isaacson. Steve Jobs founded and was the CEO of Apple, Inc and NeXT. He was also the primary investor in Pixar.

#3) Listen to Podcasts

Podcasts are series of audio episodes that can be streamed or downloaded to any electronic device for easy listening anywhere.

They are typically free and allow you to learn while doing mindless activities like chores, exercising, or driving. Podcasts can entertain but can also teach you about business from interviews, conversational shows, and educational segments.

Business Podcast Recommendations

Here are some great podcasts to get you started:

• The Jordan Harbinger Show: Host Jordan Harbinger unpacks his guests’ wisdom into practical nuggets you can apply to impact your career, life, and relationships.
• How I Built This: Host Guy Raz presents stories about innovators, entrepreneurs, and idealists and the companies and movements they built.
• The Tim Ferriss Show: Host Tim Ferriss deconstructs world-class performers from all different worlds to dive deep into the tools, tactics, and tricks that listeners can use.
• The Multiplier Mindset: Host Dan Sullivan shares his wisdom and insights with entrepreneurs who want to multiply their freedom and success.
• Entrepreneurs on Fire: Host John Dumas interviews his business guests to inspire you and ask unique questions about why businesses succeed.
• I Love Marketing: Hosts Joe Polish and Dean Jackson discuss actionable marketing strategies about direct mail, email marketing, lead gen, and getting referrals.
• Smart Passive Income: Host Pat Flynn interviews marketers, content creators, and entrepreneurs to show proven strategies while telling incredible stories along the way.
• The School of Greatness: Host Lewis Howes interviews excellent world-class revolutionaries in business, health, mindset, and relationships.
• The Transition: Host Iron Mike Steadman interviews entrepreneurs, especially veterans and military partners, to share stories, provide lessons learned, and give advice. 

For more, check out our blog on the best business podcasts!

#4) Watch Online Videos

Video content is becoming very popular, and Cisco found that by 2022, online videos will make up more than 82% of all consumer internet traffic. This statistic is an increase of 15 times higher than it was in 2017.

Thus, you should focus your video consumption on growing your business by watching online content on leadership, motivation, entrepreneurship, and more.

YouTube Channel Recommendations

Here are some fantastic YouTube Channels to help you get started:

• TED: TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design and is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, typically in the format of short, powerful talks.
• TEDx: This grassroots initiative of TED allows independent groups to organize local events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.
• Entrepreneurial Leap: Helps you get clarity around your business idea and create a customized plan to bring your dream to fruition.
• GaryVee: Follows the life of Gary Vaynerchuk, the CEO of Vayner Media, who will teach you about branding, marketing, mindset, business, and much more.
• Bigger Better Biz: Educates and empowers small business owners like you to grow your business through digital marketing.
• Matt D’Avella: Provides documentary-style videos on self-development, habits, productivity, minimalism, and more.
• The School of Life: Shares ideas on how to understand yourself better, improve your relationships, reflect on your careers, and deepen your social connections.
• Pat Flynn: Teaches you how to make more money in less time by diversifying your income streams and creating passive income. 
• Valuetainment: Provides entrepreneurs with weekly advice, motivational content, and interviews with unique individuals.
• Big Think: Gives expert-driven, actionable, educational content featuring experts ranging from Bill Clinton to Bill Nye to help you get smarter and faster.

#5) Read Business Blogs

Reading is essential, and you can supplement your book reading with business content from websites, blogs, and email newsletters. Email newsletters are particularly significant, as new content gets delivered straight to your inbox.

Business Blog Recommendations

Here are some great places to start:

• Foundr: Aims to educate and inspire today’s founders to become tomorrow’s business icons.
• Entrepreneur: Provides news stories and content about entrepreneurship, small business management, and business.
• Wall Street Journal: Covers breaking news and current headlines from the US and worldwide, particularly regarding business and financial news.
• Bloomberg: Delivers business, financial, and markets news, data, analysis, and video to the world.
• Morning Brew: This daily email newsletter covers the latest business-related news, especially in finance and tech, in an informative and witty manner.
• Tim Ferriss: Features the writings of early-stage companies’ technology investors/advisors and the author of five #1 New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers.
• Seth Godin: Features the posts on marketing, tribes, and respect from an author who has written over 20 best-selling books.
• James Clear: Provides content focused on habits, decision-making, and continuous improvement from the bestselling author of Atomic Habits (book summary).

#6) Connect with Entrepreneurs

You can only learn so much from the media, so you should seek out other entrepreneurs and people to take your business to the next level. People will motivate you, push you, and hold you accountable for the goals that you set.

Relationship Building Ideas

You should build meaningful relationships and surround yourself with entrepreneurs through the following:

• LinkedIn: This platform allows you to manage your professional profile, engage with your professional network, and connect with entrepreneurs (connect with me here).
• Networking Events: Attend events for business or activities of interest, as these provide opportunities to meet entrepreneurs or others who share common interests.
• Chamber of Commerce: These local business organizations allow you to get your name out locally, provide networking opportunities, and establish a sense of authority.
• Conferences: These are larger networking events where you can learn about industry happenings and meet with like-minded peers.
• Mentorship: In this informal relationship, mentors share their knowledge, skills, and experiences with their mentees to help them develop and grow professionally.
• Coaching: In this formal relationship, coaches help clients maximize their performance, work to their full potential, and stay accountable for their goals.
• Masterminds: These groups consist of people in the same business world who meet regularly, provide updates, and problem-solve their work together.

#7) Take a Personality Assessment

Examining your personality will allow you to learn about your Modus Operandi (who you are, how you operate, etc.) and build upon your entrepreneurial traits. 

Personality Assessment Options

There are several great personality tests to help you know yourself:

• Kolbe A Index: This test measures the co-native part of your brain, which includes the actions you take resulting from your natural instincts. These instincts are broken down into four action modes: Fact Finder, Follow Thru, Quick Start, and Implementor.

• DiSC: This test measures your interpersonal behavior and interaction in terms of four personality styles: Dominance, Influence, Compliance, and Steadiness.
• Myers-Briggs: This test draws on your psychological preferences to show how you source energy (extroversion vs. introversion); process information (sensing vs. intuition); make decisions (thinking vs. feeling); and apply structure (judging vs. perceiving). 
• Culture Index: This test measures how your employees feel regarding working in an organization, including their thoughts, feelings, and opinions on various aspects of work.
• Strengths Finder: This test measures patterns of thoughts, feelings, and actions to identify areas where you or your team have the most significant potential for building strength.
• Productivity Type: This test uses your personality to identify methods that help you be more productive, including Planner, Strategist, Connector, and Performer.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and Therapy

In addition, you can learn about Emotional Intelligence (EQ) or work with a therapist:

• Emotional Intelligence: This is “the ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges, and defuse conflict.” Then, you can apply your knowledge to determine how you operate and improve your overall EQ.
• Therapy: Working with a therapist regularly enables you to build a relationship with a professional and get direct feedback about yourself. Then, apply what you learn and improve week by week. Check out BetterHelp for an accessible, affordable, and convenient option to work with a therapist online.

#8) Take Time for Coffee

As a business owner, stepping away from your immediate work environment to spend time in a coffee shop can significantly enhance your focus and creativity. This change of scenery is not just about sipping coffee; it’s an opportunity to critically review your business model, conduct some market research, and refine your goals. 

Whether you prefer coffee, which boosts performance and productivity, or tea and snacks, the key is to use this time to work on your business rather than just in it.

Such breaks are also perfect for fostering relationships. Engaging with coworkers or leadership team members over coffee can lead to innovative solutions for complex problems and strengthen professional bonds. 

Moreover, for those aspiring to be their own boss or who are already managing their own company, networking with like-minded aspiring entrepreneurs, mentors, or coaches during these breaks can be invaluable. These interactions can provide new insights, foster global entrepreneurship, and help you better understand your target market.

Additionally, consider the legal structure of your business, such as a Limited Liability Company (LLC), to protect personal assets and gain flexibility. This casual setting is ideal for discussing potential changes or enhancements to your business setup with those with a stake in or market interest in your industry. 

Regularly taking these proactive steps ensures you remain aligned with your vision and continue to drive your business forward effectively.

#9) Read Inspiration Quotes

Business is full of victories and failures that will test you. The way you feel and think about yourself as an entrepreneur and what’s possible for your business will determine whether you will make it or not.

My Favorite Inspirational Quotes

Inspirational quotes can motivate you through the highs and lows, so regularly read quotes. Here are some of my favorites: 

• Richard Branson: “Whatever your goal is, you will never succeed unless you let go of your fears and fly.”
• Oprah Winfrey: “Don’t worry about being successful, but work toward being significant, and the success will naturally follow.”
• Elon Musk: “When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor.”
• Sara Blakely: “It’s important to be willing to make mistakes. The worst thing that can happen is you become memorable.”
• Steve Jobs: “Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become everything else is secondary.”
• Ariana Huffington: “We think that mistakenly, that success is the result of the amount of time we put in at work, instead of the quality of the time we put in.”
• Mark Cuban: “It’s not about money or connections. It’s the willingness to outwork and outlearn everyone regarding your business.”

For more inspirational quotes to help you learn and grow as an entrepreneur, follow @theprocesshacker on Instagram.

#10) Look at Your Bank Balance

Warren Buffet has said, “The more you learn, the more you earn.” Money can be a simple, effective, and powerful motivator for working hard and succeeding as an entrepreneur.

Personal Finance Platforms

Thus, you should simply look at the balance in your bank account or use one of the following personal finance applications to help motivate you: 

• Monarch Money: This paid personal finance application allows you to sync bank accounts and transactions to show you the bigger picture of your account balances, spending, and net worth.
• Personal Capital: This free investment-focused application allows you to sync your bank accounts to help you view balances, cash flow, and returns on your investments.
• You Need a Budget (YNAB): This budgeting-focused application allows you to sync your bank accounts and create budgets, ultimately giving every dollar a purpose.

Key Considerations to Be a Successful Entrepreneur

To thrive as an entrepreneur, you must cultivate resilience and adaptability. The landscape of entrepreneurship constantly shifts, and your ability to pivot and embrace change will significantly impact your success. Building a solid network is equally crucial. Relationships with mentors, peers, and industry leaders can provide invaluable insights and open doors that books and formal education might not.

Furthermore, it’s essential to stay grounded in the realities of your market. Understand the needs and behaviors of your customers to tailor your offerings effectively. This customer-centric approach ensures that your business remains relevant and competitive.

Lastly, always appreciate the power of a well-structured business plan. By clearly outlining your business objectives, strategies, and financial projections, it not only guides your strategic decisions but also attracts potential investors.

Final Thoughts on Learning to Be an Entrepreneur

Becoming an entrepreneur is a journey full of challenges and rewards. Luckily, there is an abundance of resources available to help us navigate this journey.

From personal development blogs to start-up incubators, there is something for everyone to learn from and apply in their entrepreneurial ventures. As we have seen, these resources not only provide valuable knowledge and advice but also offer a supportive community to bounce ideas off of and gain feedback from.

So whether you are a seasoned business owner looking to stay updated on the latest trends or someone who has always dreamt of starting their own company, make sure to take advantage of these resources and continue your learning and growth as an entrepreneur.

Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, nor will your entrepreneurial empire be. It takes dedication, hard work, and utilizing all the available tools at your disposal.

Keep pushing forward, keep learning, and who knows what excellent opportunities may come your way! Oscar Wilde once said, “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”

So go out there and truly live as an entrepreneur!