Starting a business while working full-time is no longer a wild dream — it’s a modern reality. Today, thousands of people are building creative side hustles, launching online businesses, and developing passion projects in the hours between work, family, and the rest of life.
If you’ve ever felt the pull to start a business, gain more freedom, or simply explore an idea that won’t leave you alone, the right books can make all the difference. They offer clarity, confidence, strategy, and a much-needed reminder that you don’t have to overhaul your entire life to begin. Small steps count. Progress counts. You count.
Below, we’ve updated our original 2015 list with a fresh 2026 perspective — including modern favourites for new entrepreneurs, creatives, and anyone quietly building something meaningful on the side.
The links on this page are affiliate links. If you click and buy, we may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. These commissions are what keep whytoread.com alive and ad-free. We are just book lovers like you, sharing what we love. Thanks for helping us keep the lights on. ❤️
If You Want to Start a Business Without Quitting Your Job
Starting a business today doesn’t require walking away from your day job or taking huge risks. Thanks to remote work, online tools, digital products, and low-cost start-up models, it’s easier than ever to test an idea in small, manageable steps — even with a busy schedule or family life.
This updated book list is designed for real people: those balancing work, kids, responsibilities, and a quiet dream to start a business of their own. These reads will help you build confidence, sharpen your mindset, and take practical action without overwhelm.
We selected each book because it helps you:
- Start small and grow sustainably
- Develop the mindset of a modern entrepreneur
- Use your time wisely (especially when it’s limited)
- Avoid burnout as you build a side-business
- Turn ideas into something real, even on a tight schedule
- Make smarter, lower-risk decisions early on
Whether you’re exploring a side hustle or planning to start a business down the track, these books offer clarity, encouragement, and a roadmap that fits real life — not fantasy.
Each pick includes a “Best For” tag and a quick action tip to help you use what you read immediately.
1. The Millionaire Fastlane – MJ DeMarco
Crack the code to wealth, redefine success, and build a business that serves your life — not the other way around.
This book cuts through the hype and forces you to rethink what “wealth” actually means. DeMarco challenges the slow, traditional path and instead offers a blueprint that focuses on value, scalability, and intentional action. It’s provocative, honest, and surprisingly grounding.
Best for:
New entrepreneurs who want a mindset reset before starting a business.
Action Tip:
Write down your definition of “rich” — lifestyle, time, values — and build your business idea around that, not someone else’s metric.
2. The 4-Hour Workweek – Timothy Ferriss
Escape the 9–5 mindset and build a life designed around freedom, creativity, and meaningful work.
A modern classic for anyone dreaming of a more flexible life. Ferriss breaks down practical automation strategies, delegation, and time-saving systems that help you work smarter — not harder. It’s especially useful for those building online businesses or digital side projects.
Best for:
People designing a side-business that fits around work and family.
Action Tip:
Identify one repetitive task in your life or job and outsource or automate it this week. A small win builds huge momentum.
3. The Lean Startup – Eric Ries
Build smarter, reduce risk, and grow your idea using continuous improvement.
This is required reading for anyone wanting to start a business with limited time or money. Ries introduces the “minimum viable product” (MVP) — a simple, low-risk version of your idea you can test quickly. This approach saves months of guessing and helps you make decisions based on real feedback, not assumptions.
Best for:
Readers who want a practical, low-risk way to test business ideas.
Action Tip:
Create a simple version of your idea — a landing page, sample chapter, test product, or mock-up. Share it with 5–10 real people and gather honest feedback.
4. Rework – Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson
Change how you think about productivity, focus, and building a business sustainably.
Rework is bold, simple, and refreshingly anti-hustle. The authors challenge traditional business rules and show how small, focused teams (or solo founders) can build successful companies without burnout, endless meetings, or chaos. Perfect for anyone who wants to build a business with intention — not overwhelm.
Best for:
Side-hustlers who want clarity, simplicity, and less noise.
Action Tip:
Cut one unnecessary task from your daily routine. Use the saved 20 minutes to work on your business idea.
5. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen R. Covey
Transform your mindset, habits, and self-leadership — the foundation of any successful entrepreneur.
Before you start a business, you need to strengthen the habits that support growth, consistency, and resilience. Covey’s timeless principles help you set priorities, reduce overwhelm, improve focus, and build a strong internal framework. It’s not a business book — it’s a life book — and essential for personal transformation.
Best for:
Anyone wanting to build character, discipline, and confidence before launching a business.
Action Tip:
Choose one habit from the book and practice it for seven days. Small changes create real momentum.
Bonus Reads for 2026 before Start Business (Highly Recommended)
Because the world of entrepreneurship has shifted, here are three modern additions:
Company of One by Paul Jarvis
Build a simple, sustainable business without scaling beyond your lifestyle.
Show Your Work by Austin Kleon
Ideal for creatives, writers, and digital entrepreneurs who want to grow by sharing their process.
Also featured in: 8 Essential Blogging Books Every Blogger Must Read
The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
A powerful mindset tool for staying calm, centred, and focused on your goals — even when others don’t understand your dream.
Also featured in: Top New Release Novels You Need to Read This Year
You Don’t Need a Perfect Plan to Start a Business
You don’t have to quit your job tomorrow.
You don’t need a huge budget or a flawless strategy.
You just need one next step.
- Choose one book from this list.
- Learn one concept.
- Apply one small action.
That’s how real businesses begin — quietly, consistently, and with a belief that your future can look different from your present.
