Take Home This Advice from Readers’ Favorite Business Books

Yes: 63%

• Business Secrets from the Bible by Rabbi Daniel Lapin. This book changed my whole paradigm concerning money and business. Our current society tries to teach us that business is evil and greedy, draining society of resources. In this book, Rabbi Lapin argues that in reality businesses are a tremendous asset to society by creating jobs and products that improve the lives of everyday people. Business owners are really servants and succeed we they serve the needs of their customers. The book caused me to stop feeling guilty for being a capitalist. Karen Egert, Karen’s Canine Kitchen, Leesburg,FL
• A Simplified Lifeby Emily Ley. Anytime you can shave a few seconds off the decision making process, you’ve increased your efficiency and simplicity. Those seconds add up to minutes every single day that you can reclaim! Kara Holland, Pittsboro Pet Supply, Pittsboro, NC
• My most useful tip actually came from WhizBang Retail Training. We do a ton of charity and donations, and we’ve found that including a gift certificate, even if only $10, gets people in the door. Once they come in they usually spend at lest double the gift certificate and almost always come back! Ten dollars well spent in our eyes. Annabell Bivens, The Dog Store by Your Dog’s Best Friends, Alexandria, VA
• I read about successful companies more than how-to books. Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh, founder of Zappos, is fantastic. BUILT TO LAST by Jim Collins and Jerry I. Porras is iconic . Successful companies, regardless of type, innovate but don’t stray from their core values. They create a culture around their brand. Independent retailers can and should do this too! It is surely how to remain relevant among big-box stores and the internet. Karen Conell, The Bark Market, Delavan, WI
• Six-Figure Pet Sitting by Kristin Morrison. I learned so much from this book when I was getting started with my business six years ago, and it still helps me — too much wonderful inspiration to pick just one! Kelly Catlett, Waggs 2 Whiskers, Bagdad, KY
• Change Your Questions Change Your Life by Marilee Adams. Seems like a no-brainer, but the types of questions you ask others — customers or anyone else —definitely can change your life. Instead of asking questions that can be answered with yes or no, ask questions where a conversation ensues. When the person you are speaking with begins to talk, listen and take note. You can learn a lot in a very short period of time. Cindy Dunston Quirk, Scout & Zoe’s, Anderson, IN
• Guerilla Retailing by Jay Conrad Levinson, Elly Valas and Orvel Ray Wilson. I reread it when I need a refresher on marketing my business. Nancy Guinn, Dog Krazy, Fredericksburg, VA
• What Color Is Your Parachute? By Richard N. Bolles. It really got people thinking about how to get out of their current situation and to start thinking about the endgame. Jacqueline Levy, Cross Keys K9, Williamstown, NJ
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey. I read the teenager version when I was younger and it made such an impact on my life. Carrie Hughes, Fido Pet Products, Indianapolis, IN
• How to Drive Your Competition Crazy by Guy Kawasaki and The Nordstrom Way by Spencer McCarthy. They are great books on selling. The most important thing you do as a small business owner is providing service to your customer. I also read INC. magazine, PET AGE and PETS+ every month for easy to implement ideas. Ramie Gulyas, Follow Your Nose, Evanston, IL
• You are a Badass  by Jen Sincero The power of meditation and its place in building a successful business is the primary tip I use every day. Wendy Megyese, Muttigans, Emerald Isle, NC
• Entreleadership by Dave Ramsey. I really try to interview people differently by letting them talk more and me just listening. It really helps you learn more about your potential employee so you make a good decision when hiring someone new! Nicole Olesen, Woofs & Waves, Sioux Falls, SD
• I prefer company histories and biographies because I find them more interesting and readable. My favorite is American Steel by Richard Preston. The most important lessons I take from it are being open to the unconventional and the power of giving your subordinates clear goals and trusting them enough to stay out of their way while they work to achieve them. Cory Giles, The General Store, Collinsville, IL
• The Introvert Entrepreneur by Beth Buelow She cites inspiration from a number of people, and I love this quote by Scott Bergen: “The easiest way to be interesting is to be honest. People rarely say what they truly feel, yet this is what audiences desire most.” Maggie Victory, The Whole Pet, Fort Smith, AR
• Win Forever by Pete Carroll, the coach of the Seattle Seahawks. “It comes down to taking care of the people in your program and making them the best they can be — not giving up on them and never failing to be there for them.” I also follow closely my friend and mentor, Buck Brannaman, who wrote the book Believe (he is also The Horse Whisperer, the movie that starred Robert Redford) and he says, “Recognize the slightest try and reward it.” I find the people who work with me know I want the best for them and allow them to try new ideas, and guess what? They don’t always succeed, but they got to try and feel good about themselves and their job and that they are making a contribution to the success of the store. Pattie Boden, Animal Connection, Charlottesville, VA
• The Little Red Book of Selling by Jeffrey Gitomer. The book contains bite-sized lessons about relating to folks (and it’s pretty darn funny, too). Robin Brown, Manhattan Mutt Company, Manhattan, KS
• I’m not sure it’s my favorite book, but I just finished Drive by Daniel H. Pink and found it insightful as it relates to hiring minimum-wage employees. Julia Rohan, Rover-Time Dog Walking & Pet Sitting, Chicago, IL

No: 37%

• Outside of your magazine, I get business inspiration from Inc. Magazine, industry tradeshow conferences, and industry specific Facebook groups. Dana Rice, Dog Wild Pet Supplies & Resort, Cooperstown, NY
• I do a lot of podcasts so I can multitask! Girl Boss, Profit Boss, Women Entrepreneurs and such! Leel Michelle, Bow Wow Beauty Shoppe, San Diego, CA