Meghann Conter: Top Recommended Business Books

Over the years, I've come across several books that have been true game-changers for both my personal and professional development. These books offer timeless wisdom that can help you build a thriving business, and I consider them essential reads for women entrepreneurs. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling up, these evergreen recommendations are packed with insights to guide you along the way.

1. Profit First by Mike Michalowicz

Key Concept: Prioritize Profit Over Expenses
Profit First is a financial management game-changer. Michalowicz flips the script by teaching business owners to take profit first—literally. Instead of waiting to see what’s left after expenses, you allocate a percentage of your revenue to a profit account before paying bills.

Why It’s Timeless:

• Prioritizing profit leads to sustainable growth.
• Segmenting accounts for profit, taxes, and expenses creates financial discipline.
• Personal Experience: I’ve used Profit First since 2012, and it’s helped me stay ahead on tax payments and avoid overspending.

Takeaway: This book will change how you manage money in your business and ensure you’re profitable from day one.

2. The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann

Key Concept: Success Through Generosity
The Go-Giver introduces the idea that the more value you give, the more success you'll attract. By focusing on others and serving their needs, you build lasting, authentic relationships that lead to business growth.

Why It’s Timeless:

• The Law of Reciprocity ensures that giving leads to receiving.
• Building a service-first business creates trust and loyalty.
• Personal Experience: I apply these principles to every relationship in my business, and it has made a huge difference.

Takeaway: If you're looking to build a business based on generosity and trust, The Go-Giver will show you how.

3. Attention Management by Laura Thomas

Key Concept: Focus Over Time Management
In today’s fast-paced world, controlling your focus is more important than just managing time. Attention Management teaches you how to boost productivity by staying present and minimizing distractions.

Why It’s Timeless:

• It’s about controlling your attention to get more done in less time.
• Staying focused on the right tasks is key to success.
• Personal Experience: I’ve implemented these strategies in my business to turn visionary ideas into actionable plans.

Takeaway: Learning how to manage your attention will revolutionize how you work, making you more productive and present.

4. From To-Do to Done by Laura Thomas

Key Concept: Streamline Your Workflow
If your to-do list feels overwhelming, From To-Do to Done is the guide you need to turn chaos into productivity. It teaches you how to break down large tasks into actionable, prioritized steps.

Why It’s Timeless:

• Learn to simplify workflows and avoid burnout.
• Turn overwhelming to-do lists into organized, actionable tasks.
• Personal Experience: I use this book’s techniques to systematize ideas and ensure our team operates smoothly, no matter our working styles.

Takeaway: This book helps you get more done by turning your to-do list into a streamlined, actionable plan.

5. Happy Inbox by Laura Thomas

Key Concept: Manage Digital Clutter
In the digital age, inbox overload is a constant challenge. Happy Inbox teaches you how to manage emails and digital clutter effectively, reducing stress and improving productivity.

Why It’s Timeless:

• It provides practical strategies for maintaining a clean, organized inbox.
• Reducing digital clutter leads to clearer thinking and more productivity.
• Personal Experience: Our team follows systems inspired by this book to keep our digital spaces stress-free and organized.

Takeaway: Reduce your digital overwhelm and stay organized with these easy-to-implement strategies.

6. Start With Why by Simon Sinek

Key Concept: Purpose-Driven Leadership
Simon Sinek’s Start With Why introduces the idea that great businesses and leaders start by defining their purpose, or “why,” before figuring out how or what they do. Leading with purpose builds strong loyalty and drives long-term success.

Why It’s Timeless:

• Starting with why creates deeper loyalty from customers and employees.
• Purpose-driven businesses succeed because people are inspired by why they exist, not just what they do.
• Personal Experience: My “why” has always been about creating connection, love, and fun, and it’s been at the core of my business since day one.

Takeaway: If you want to build a business with purpose, Start With Why is your guide to inspiring lasting connections.

7. The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks

Key Concept: Overcome Self-Limiting Beliefs
The Big Leap explores how many of us set subconscious limits on our own success. Gay Hendricks teaches you how to break through these barriers and operate in your "Zone of Genius"—the place where you excel and feel most fulfilled.

Why It’s Timeless:

• The Upper Limit Problem stops many from reaching their full potential.
• Focusing on your Zone of Genius allows for greater personal and professional satisfaction.
• Personal Experience: This book has helped me recognize and overcome self-sabotaging behaviors so I can keep expanding my business.

Takeaway: Overcome your internal limits and continuously expand into greater success and fulfillment.

8. 10x is Easier Than 2x by Benjamin Hardy

Key Concept: Think Bigger for Exponential Growth
Hardy’s book challenges conventional wisdom by showing how aiming for 10x growth is actually easier than aiming for 2x. It requires focusing on the most impactful goals and eliminating the non-essential.

Why It’s Timeless:

• Focus on the 20% of activities that bring 80% of the results to achieve exponential growth.
• Thinking 10x opens your mind to new opportunities.
• Personal Experience: I’m still applying the lessons from this book, but it has already transformed my approach to scaling my business.

Takeaway: If you’re looking to make a quantum leap in your business, this book is essential for shifting your mindset and focus.

9. We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers

Key Concept: Empowering Wealth for All
Rachel Rodgers encourages women, especially those from marginalized groups, to shift their mindset around wealth and embrace the idea that everyone can be a millionaire. We Should All Be Millionaires provides both a mindset shift and practical strategies for creating multiple income streams and building wealth.

Why It’s Timeless:

• Rodgers challenges limiting beliefs about wealth, especially for women and underrepresented groups.
• She provides actionable strategies for creating income streams and setting boundaries for financial success.
• Personal Experience: While I wish this book catered more to advanced business owners, I still find many of its principles wise and practical for entrepreneurs at any level.

Takeaway: If you’re ready to embrace wealth-building and empowerment, this book is a must-read for shifting your mindset and taking actionable steps toward millionaire status.

Conclusion

These books are more than just recommendations—they are resources that can transform your business and your life. From financial management to mindset shifts, these evergreen business books offer strategies and insights that will keep you on the path to sustainable growth. Whether you’re a new entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, these lessons are invaluable to your journey.