6 Books I Enjoy As a Creative Entrepreneur

Business

**Updated March 2023: The author of this post, Katie Taylor, is now the founding owner of The Outsourced COO- your savvy solution for less hustle & more help for your growing organization. You can learn more about her current offers by visiting her at outsourceyourops.com or on Instagram at @outsourceyourops. You can also contact her directly anytime here.

What books you’ll find on my nightstand as a growth minded solopreneur and work-from-home, mom of two.

I know the debate is strong between whether it’s appropriate to read more than one book at a time. But there are quite a few books I’m currently co-reading. Here’s the thing, they are all SO good. I wouldn’t round up a list and take your time to share them if they weren’t.

Your next needed read might happen to be one of them. The only topics you won’t see here are fiction or history. Otherwise, you’re going to find some terrific suggestions, if I do say so myself.

If my reading enthusiasm isn’t enough, you can trust some of the most powerful, successful entrepreneurs who make reading a priority. The list of self-admitted reading enthusiasts include Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Mark Zuckerburg, and Oprah Winfrey herself.

The New South Style, The Interiors of a Lifestyle and Design Movement

Not only would it be the perfect coffee table book, but the stories inside are so inspiring. I know there are women (and some men) in my audience who would love the images of this book just as much as the people shared about inside. Even looking at the book makes me happy.

Touring more than thirty interiors, the book includes striking photography and interviews with the designers, artists, and creative entrepreneurs who are reinvesting Southern design and culture…
from inside book cover sleeve

Human Design by Chetan Parkyn

As someone who feels radically understood after discovering The Enneagram, I am equally interested in how HD can help me better understand and accept who the Creator made me to be.

I’ve taken great personal insight over the years in everything from Meyers Briggs to Strengthfinders. Human Design is most recently helping me to give myself permission to lean into some of my most unique quirks in order to be a better leader and entrepreneur while enjoying life in new ways.

When I’m not googly eyed over the typography of one, or fascinated by the discoveries in the other I’m usually reading one of these next two books:

Company of One by Paul Jarvis

I have a lot of ideas about what I don’t want my business to be, and am always looking ahead to leaders who can help me make strong choices to create a business that I am passionate about, proud of, and that genuinely values people.

Jarvis writes after leaving his own experience in the traditional business world after realizing high-pressure and high-profile were not how he wanted to define success.

Not only can I resonate, but this is a journey many of my clients are on. I want to understand what they are experiencing, meet them where they are, and help them in their next successful steps forward.

Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport

You might think that’s a weird pick for someone who helps promote businesses in digital spaces. However, I believe in social and digital boundaries for all of us. It’s an example I want to lead with.

Once upon a time we vastly underestimated the negative effects of cigarettes on our physical health. We do better now, because we know better. But it wasn’t always that way. I believe Newport is starting the enlightenment on the effect of digitalism to our mental health. Same as before, in knowing better I’ve been able to do better with my digital consumption.

The Implementation Code by Stacy Tuschl

I’m technically done with this book, but it’s still in my stack. I read The Implementation Code in one sitting on a Friday night after putting the kids to bed. Stacy’s a phenomenal business mentor and her tips are both practical and effective.

Her guidance as both an online and brick and mortar business owner lend her unique expertise that is worth grabbing hold of for your own online or in-person business.

And lastly, who am I if not a mama? If I come across a spare minute I’ll pick up this next book…

Busy Toddler’s Guide to Actual Parenting

My youngest is four, and there is plenty evidence that we are exiting the toddler phase. Still, I wanted her to be able to look at the activities inside with the chance to choose one she would enjoy doing when we are home together.

I began following “My best friend Susie” years ago. We’ve never met. I started calling her that way back so my husband, Jon, would know who I was talking about. Apparently I talked about her a lot.

When Finley, who is now a second grader, was a wobbly tot he dumped an entire box of Cheerios on our wood floor in our dining room. There was no denying his great delight in playing with them right there on that bare, hard floor. After I realized how captive the crunchy cereal was holding his attention, I just left them. Like, for the entire day. I was in that desperate stage of first-time motherhood and it was worth it.

It was right around then that I discovered Susie and realized she was certainly coming along on my mom journey with me. I knew she would get me on the cereal thing. It’s a great book. I’d recommend it to any parent with kiddos not yet in full-day school.

stack of books with title spine showing sitting on a wood top surface — These are my actual copies – one was a gift, a couple I purchased, and the other ones are long overdue to go back to my local library.