My list of the 10 best books for women entrepreneurs in 2023
As a very curious person and entrepreneur, books are always my go-to when I'm looking for inspiration, fresh perspectives or practical advice.
But, as you know, there are tons of books out there, and it's not always easy to know where to start.
With this in mind, I've compiled a list of books that offer concrete tools that I continually refer to, both for my entrepreneurial career and as an ever-evolving human being!
Without further ado, here's my list of the best books* for women entrepreneurs to read in 2023!
* Please note that all books are listed in their original English version. That said, most are translated into French, should you prefer to read in that language!
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Why I love this book
Marketing and branding expert Emily Heyward reveals the secrets behind some of the world's best-loved brands, including Casper, Sweetgreen and Everlane. She is also founder of Redantlerthe marketing agency responsible for creating the most beautiful and unique brand images on the market (in my opinion).
What you'll learn
How to stand out as a brand in a world saturated with new products and companies. This book is a must-read if you're launching your business and need help defining your message and brand image (but also why it's crucial to do so). You'll also learn why people obsess over certain brands.
Landmark passage
"When you ground yourself in your consumers and why you exist for them, branding becomes an act of generosity instead of an act of self-congratulation."
Why I love this book
If you're looking for a book on marketing psychology, "Contagious" is definitely my favorite! I'm fascinated by human behavior; what makes people tick? And why do some brands go viral while others never break through?
What you'll learn
This book explores Jonah Berger's six STEPPS principles, illustrated with numerous examples. Once you've finished reading it, you'll see advertising and social media in a whole new light.
Landmark passage
"Word of mouth is the primary factor behind 20 percent to 50 percent of all purchasing decisions.
Why I love this book
Taking care of people starts with honesty. When my partner and I built our business, we had to develop an arsenal of new skills, such as managing a team and conducting difficult conversations tactfully. This book has transformed my understanding of interpersonal relationships at work, and I recommend reading it to anyone in a team, not just those in positions of authority.
What you'll learn
Feedback is essential! You'll learn to be empathetic, yet direct in your feedback, which will have a positive impact on your team's performance and satisfaction. After all, there's always room for improvement, in all areas of our lives!
Landmark passage
"At Apple, as at Google, a boss's ability to achieve results had a lot more to do with listening and seeking to understand than it did with telling people what to do; more to do with debating than directing; more to do with pushing people to decide than with being the decider; more to do with persuading than with giving orders; more to do with learning than with knowing."
Why I love this book
Have you ever felt out of place at large social gatherings? Are you intimidated by interviews? Do you have trouble reading people's non-verbal cues? "Captivate" is the first scientific book to explain how to make a great first impression, how to read the faces of people you meet and how to charm a room - essential skills for all female entrepreneurs!
What you'll learn
You'll learn how to talk to anyone and navigate confidently in a variety of social situations. You'll be able to decipher non-verbal cues and steer the conversation in the right direction. Learning these skills is like developing a superpower!
Landmark passage
"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
Why I love this book
Talent retention is a real issue. Most employees reach a point of disengagement at work and don't see the point in pushing themselves any further. As an entrepreneur, I always try to value my employees so that they share the same enthusiasm and excitement about the company and its future as I do. This book is essential reading if you want to get the best out of every member of your team.
What you'll learn
Wickman specifies how to surround yourself with great people, clarifies the difference between leadership and management, mentions how to empower and value your team, and much more. I love the chapters presenting the five best leadership practices of all the great bosses.
Landmark passage
"Life is much easier for everyone when you have people around you who genuinely get it, want it, and have the capacity to do it.
Why I love this book
We rarely bother to discuss how our fears and beliefs influence our success and overall happiness. If you want to take charge of your thoughts and steer your course, this book is a must-have. The concepts are clearly presented to enable you to overcome the greatest challenges you'll encounter with confidence and optimism.
What you'll learn
How to change the way you think in order to optimize your relationships with your work, the people around you, and life in general. After all, believing in yourself may be the missing piece that will enable you to achieve your wildest dreams!
Landmark passage
"Look at things not as they are, but as they can be. Visualization adds value to everything. A big thinker always visualizes what can be done in the future. He isn't stuck in the present."
Why I love this book
I love reading Tim Ferris because he helps me think outside the box. Do you feel like you've hit a dead end at work, or do you just want to change your routine? This book is exactly what you need.
What you'll learn
How to outsource, delegate and automate some of the most redundant tasks in your day, so you can focus entirely on growing and developing your business.
Landmark passage
"People will choose unhappiness over uncertainty."
Why I love this book
Anyone can write. If you can think critically about different issues, then you can definitely write! That said, like anything, it takes practice and time. This book has changed my perception of content for the better.
What you'll learn
How to define your voice, what terms to avoid, and how to use as few words as possible to convey your message. How to write concisely and persuasively. This book will teach you the fundamentals of writing to create great content.
Landmark passage
"Be specific enough to be believable. But universal enough to be credible."
Why I love this book
If you're passionate about psychology, you'll love this book, which will help you make sure your idea is foolproof and ready to conquer consumers the world over! Through several different stories and perspectives, this book helped me ensure that my ideas were solid and therefore more likely to last.
What you'll learn
This book unravels the anatomy of ideas, and the author demonstrates how to make them last. Discover strategies such as the human ladder principle, the theory of sticky ideas and curiosity gaps. This book is an absolutely fascinating read.
Landmark passage
"To make our communications more effective, we need to shift our thinking from "What information do I need to convey?" to "What questions do I want my audience to ask?""
Why I love this book
Do you ever think you'd be happier if you had more things? More money, the house of your dreams, the perfect car, etc.? Then you definitely need to read this book about a hugely successful lawyer who gave it all up because, ultimately, he wasn't happy. As female entrepreneurs, it's easy to get lost in the numbers, the growth of the business and the never-ending tasks involved. Reading this book helps us to realize what really matters, beyond all the material achievements and gains.
What you'll learn
You'll learn invaluable lessons while facing tough questions. Are you living authentically? What does it mean to you? This book is a breath of fresh air.
Landmark passage
"We grow fearless when we do the things we fear."