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 :)

Book Club: I've Got Your Number

I feel like I never really have time to read anymore. And by I never really have time I actually mean I never make time. I have plenty of chances to fit in a few chapters here and there, but yesterday was the first day in years that I actually sat down with the intention of thoroughly enjoying a book. My stepdad and Mike were busy putting up a fence in our backyard, and my mom was having a time playing with Toby and watching Power Rangers, so I nestled up on the bench in our backyard and cracked open I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella.

Sophie Kinsella is one of my favorite authors (number two, actually). She's famous for the Shopaholic series... you know, the one that was hacked to death and made into that terrible Isla Fisher movie? Yeah, that one. Don't let that movie ruin the series, or any of her other novels, for you. They're full of British humor, wit, dynamic characters and chances are you'll probably cry at some point, too. Sophie also writes under the pen-name Madeline Wickham and she's got a slew of books out for the picking! I've ready every single Sophie Kinsella book (I think! Less Twenties Girl which is sitting on my bookshelf), and now I think I might venture into the M. Wickham section, too. 

Anyway, that's not the point. The point is that yesterday I made the conscious decision to forgo anything else I had to do, and to just relax. I've really benefitted from not doing any design work on the weekends. It's nice to just enjoy a little bit of down time, even if it is interrupted by bartending. I'm slowly working out of my workaholic ways. Now more about this book...

I picked it up the day after it hit the shelves in February, and I'm really bummed it took me this long to read it. It was so good! I read the entire 434 page novel yesterday in one go. I simply couldn't put it down. I'm such a sucker for British chick-flick type books. If they were made into (not crappy) movies, I'd watch them all. (Confession: As much as I hate the changes, exclusions and the all around not-true-to-book Shopaholic movie, I've seen it several times)

UK/Australian cover vs. US/Canadian

Here's the synopsis for I've Got Your Number...

Poppy Wyatt has never felt luckier. She is about to marry her ideal man, Magnus Tavish, but in one afternoon her “happily ever after” begins to fall apart. Not only has she lost her engagement ring in a hotel fire drill but in the panic that follows, her phone is stolen. As she paces shakily around the lobby, she spots an abandoned phone in a trash can. Finders keepers! Now she can leave a number for the hotel to contact her when they find her ring. Perfect!

Well, perfect except that the phone’s owner, businessman Sam Roxton, doesn’t agree. He wants his phone back and doesn’t appreciate Poppy reading his messages and wading into his personal life.

What ensues is a hilarious and unpredictable turn of events as Poppy and Sam increasingly upend each other’s lives through emails and text messages. As Poppy juggles wedding preparations, mysterious phone calls, and hiding her left hand from Magnus and his parents . . . she soon realizes that she is in for the biggest surprise of her life.

The last 6 pages just had me in tears. There's just something so undeniably relatable to all of Kinsella's characters. They're sweet and genuine, but flawed like the rest of us. Every book I read I feel like I'm hearing the story from a girlfriend, or even experiencing it myself. In my opinion, if a book makes you laugh and cry all in one go, it's a winner!

Yesterday was much needed. A brief 400 page escape from whatever was going on in the world. I'm not sure how often I'll be breezing through books but hopefully I can share more of my favorites and let you know as I go through them. I've never been a huge reader, but when I find something I really connect with, I simply can't stop.

What are some of your favorite reads?

Book Suggestions!

I've been asked multiple times for book recommendations and things like that, and even though I'm not an English teacher or an author myself, I know how to appreciate a good book. My taste in books tends to lean towards chick-esque, humorous, life-lesson style books (a la Confessions of a Shopaholic). But anyway, I'll just share a few of my favorites.

1. Make Every Man Want You by Marie Forleo:

It's a lighthearted look at how to love yourself, never settle for less than you deserve, and how to make sure you always portray yourself in the best light. It's SUCH a great read! I was honestly so so so very surprised!

ANNA MAXTED

SOPHIE KINSELLA

3. Any and Every book by Sophie Kinsella: I started reading "Confessions of a Shopaholic" in early 10th grade (2003) and I remember reading it through most of my classes. My friend Megan had let me borrow it and I was hooked. I could totally relate to Miss Rebecca Bloomwood and her NEED to shop. It, too, is set in London, but the 5-book series really opens you up to all of Becky's blunders and adventures. The movie totally sucked... Honestly. The books are SOOOOO much better. I'd read them all again if I still had them in my possession. Kinsella also wrote "Can You Keep a Secret?, "Remember Me?" and her most recent work "Twenties Girl"... I've read all of them (well, I own Twenties Girl.. I just havent read it yet) but she also writes under the pen-name "Madeline Wickham". Check her out!

CHELSEA HANDLER

4. Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler: I dont care WHO you are... if you dont love Chelsea Handler, something is sincerely wrong with you. This book was to die for! Her other book, "The Horizontal Life", was also funny, but it doesnt touch this one. I just truly appreciate her comedic genius and I can't help but fall for her dry sarcastic humor and fat little Chuy!

I'm supposed to be doing a book swap with a lovely girl named Ashley soon, but if anyone else is interested in a book swap, let a girl know!

What are some of your favorite reads and why?

I'd love to hear them and maybe check them out!

xo

eat, pray, love.

i think i'm going to finally go buy this book tomorrow while i run errands in the a.m... i've heard such mixed reviews but every PERSON i've discussed it with has loved it. raved on and on. it was only the online reviews that said otherwise. either way, i think it would be a good read, right?


People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that’s what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you’ll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then leave.
— Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert