Business Books That I (Seriously) Swear By

I love business books. I don't know why, but I do. Even in college, if it was a book about graphic design or business cards or anything like that, I had to have it. (Sadly I lost that entire collection in the flood. Boo!) Over the past couple of years I've been stocking up on indie-biz related books and I seriously can't get enough of them. I love to read them because they provide a valuable, unbiased insight into what it takes to run several types of small/handmade shops. Each one features multiple guys and gals in the industry, and you can't help but feel inspired when you flick through the pages. I thought I'd share my favorites today! Maybe you have a small handmade biz/hobby that you'd like to grow. If so, consider picking one of these up or seeing if you can borrow from a friend! I can't tell you how many times I've cycled back to them.


Craft, Inc. was one of the very first "crafty" business book I picked up. Along with Creative, Inc. I have found it to be an invaluable resource for so many little things you may not even think of when you consider starting a business. I really love that Craft, Inc. also had a Business Planner you could purchase to have all of your ideas in one place. To this day, years later, I still haven't used pen to write in it. I think that's because I'm fickle and I like having the option to switch things up. It was seriously a great tool to jumpstart the whole thing though. (There is a new revised version of Craft, Inc. available)


Creative, Inc., like I said, was one of the very first books I picked up. I remember that I let it sit on my shelf for entirely too long before finally delving in. Once I did though, that was it! This book is great because it doesn't limit it's audience to just craft show vendors. It's a great resource for freelance designers, writers, and illustrators (just to name a few!). Blog, Inc. and Mom, Inc. are both pretty new to the market. You may have caught wind of Joy's book tour which has been happening here in the past few weeks for Blog, Inc. Mom, Inc. is for the mom who works from home and juggles both children and a professional workload, no matter what that may be. I haven't finished either of these yet but I'm already loving what I've read since bouncing back and forth. The Inc. books really provide a boatload of information and insight without feeling like they're going to overwhelm you. I think that's my favorite characteristic of them.

The Boss of You was recommended to me by Beca last year. I quickly picked it up off of Amazon and much like Creative, Inc., I let it sit around and gather dust. I finally found myself with some spare time one night and I blew through it. I love the spin of it being a female-aimed book. Granted, all of the others have a definite feminine spin, but with the exception of Mom, Inc. they could all be written for guys, too. The Boss of You is written to inspire the inner business woman in you to take charge and make things happen.

These two books by Kari Chapin are goldmines. The Handmade Marketplace came out a few years ago and I remember first seeing it when I lived in NYC. It's a great starter book for a wide variety of handmade artisans. Regardless of whether you sell at craft fairs, flea markets, Etsy, or your own brick and mortar. You've probably noticed the plethora of tiny post-it notes on the Grow Your Handmade Business book, yeah? Well, you know I love post-its! I ordered this one at the same time I picked up Mom, Inc. and Blog, Inc. Without a doubt I think this book might have to be my favorite. Kari packs in a bunch of "exercises" for you to brainstorm and work through your ideal business plan. I think it's such a valuable tool and I've been taking full advantage of it. 

Are you a biz-book reader? Do you have any you'd like to recommend? I'm always on the hunt for books that will help expand my mind and aid in growing my businesses. I know it really comes down to hard work and smart business decisions, but hearing how other ladies have gone about it really inspires me. All of these are truly wonderful in my opinion! Happy Wednesday, friends!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

PS; If you look under the main part of the Amazon page, you'll see options to buy these books in different "packages"... that'll save you quite a bit of money! You can get bath Kari Chapin books for only $21, rather than the typical $26-$33)

* Disclosure: This post features affiliate links from Amazon. If you'd prefer not to purchase through me, that's totally fine! Just go to Amazon.com :)

24 comments:

  1. i just bought blog, inc! (through your affiliate link, of course.) i loved fashion 2.0 by yuli ziv, and i sincerely hope she puts out the 2nd volume soon! i think at this point you are beyond her advice in that book, but i recommend it to any beginning bloggers.

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  2. I've been reading through Blog Inc. and I like so far. Almost at the end! I've read most of Creative, Inc. too. I've been toying with the idea of starting an Etsy business (I've been doing some crazy things with PomPoms lately) and I'm going to have to check out those books from Kari Chapin!

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  3. Can't wait for my copy of Blog, Inc. to arrive in the mail :) Thanks for sharing!

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  4. I recommend "Your Money or Your Life" for not just business, but anyone! It teaches you to be frugal and think about how many hours of work your purchases are worth, and what else you could be doing with that time instead. Read the newest version. 2008 I think.

    http://bethsquidly.blogspot.com/

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  5. I read Blog, Inc last night and found it extremely helpful :) As a beginning blogger it is really great to have these resources available to me without having to search and hope posts are linked together.
    http://stephaniein-nh.blogspot.com

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  6. I've heard a lot of the Craft, Inc. books, maybe I should have a look at them. I'd love to venture out into the handmade world!
    -Kati

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  7. I'm definitely book marking this post for future reference! THANK YOU!

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  8. I also went and picked up The Boss of You after Beca mentioned it on her blog. I also am a self-helf/learn tons of info type of lady, and I just let my bff borrow this because I thought it was an invaluable book to read. This book helped me understand and really get ideas into concrete. I recommend The Boss of You to anyone.

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  9. I just recently borrowed Thd Handmade Marketplace and hadn't started reading it yet but I'll give it a go now, thanks!

    Jenn

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  10. these look really awesome! i might pick up creative, inc. :)

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  11. My first crafty book was Crafty Superstar! It was such a helpful starting guide.

    http://www.gracedobush.com/craftysuperstar/

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  12. Im definitely going to look into these books! Thanks for sharing!!

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  13. Oh a friend gave me Craft Inc last year, it's a great book. I should actually read it again.

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  14. I bought Blog, Inc a couple weeks ago. I it has a ton of information. Another book that I love is 'Blogging for Creatives', it's an awesome book.

    The Girl Collected

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  15. Thank you, thank you, thank you for this post! I am always wanting a guide or real stories about people owning their own business! You, your self are a great example also! Maybe you will write your own one day! ;)

    Jess
    http://seventhirtyninety.blogspot.com/

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  16. I'm really excited by this. I've kind of left the 9-5 world behind and I'm floundering a little (I'm in school right now, so it's ok for the time being, but school doesn't last forever).

    I also picked up Right Brain Business Plan on Amazon for 1.99, it's got a lot of good ideas.


    Sarah //
    http://bringmoreyarn.blogspot.com

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  17. I'm sooo glad I am not the only person that loves business books. I've read the craft inc one and the handmade market, I didn't know she had written another one, I'll definitely have to check it out, you should read if you haven't already Crafty Superstar by Grace Dobush, I think it would be an excellent addition to your collection.

    ~Spokhette~
    http://spokhette.blogspot.com/

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  18. Wow, love this post! I wanted to get Blog Inc but now I want them all! Thanks for this, so inspiring!
    Olive xox

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  19. This is great! Thank you for this :)

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  20. Awesome collection, I only own the creative and handmade marketplace
    I am reading both of them, but I am very slow, because english is not my mother tongue, so is difficult to keep up, I am waiting for the blog inc... let´s see how it goes, I love this type of books, can be helpful.

    I am new in this, so I can not share with you or anybody another title lol
    so good luck with that :D

    xo

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  21. Thank you SO much for this post! It's so helpful, definitely will be looking for a few of these on the Chapters shelves :)

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  22. If you love business books, you should read Lisa Anderson's latest book on social networks titled, "Leverage Social Networks to Drive Business Results." Pretty interesting!

    http://www.lma-consultinggroup.com/

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  23. OMG YES! Thanks so much for posting, I just added a bunch of these to my amazon wishlist! <3


    XO Sahra
    EffortlessCool

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  24. http://kellyraeroberts.com/learn


    I have the ebook of hers and I have learned so much.

    I love reading biz books!!!!

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HEY! Thanks for dropping by. xo KB