As the
founder of a social enterprise called LSTN Headphones, I often look to
companies and entrepreneurs I admire for advice on navigating our growing
business while continuing our mission to do well while doing good. Below are a
few of the books I’ve found to help guide our startup through new challenges
and inspire the team to work harder to make our company succeed.
1. Let My
People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard: Yvon Chouinard is in many ways the
original social entrepreneur, starting Patagonia in 1973 and 1% For the Planet
in 2002. Patagonia brings in over $500 million annually and has donated
millions of dollars to many environmental causes. In this incredible book, Yvon
details his journeys around the world looking for inspiration for Patagonia. He
explains how he incorporated giving into his business model from the very
beginning.
2. Start
Something That Matters by Blake Mycoskie: Blake is the founder of TOMS, the
famed leader of the “one for one” movement — a trend that has expanded to many
industries and products worldwide. Start Something started with a small, humble
idea in 2006 that grew out of his apartment. He now gives away 10+ million
pairs of shoes to children in need. An easy and inspiring read, the book
teaches that it really is possible to marry fun, profit and social good.
3. Get Big
Fast and Do More Good by Ido Leffler and Lance Kalish: Get Big Fast is about
how two young entrepreneurs took a natural beauty brand called Yes to Carrots
from a dream to the reality of 28,000 retailers in 25 countries in less than
five years. Ido and Lance launched the Yes To Seed Fund with a mission to plant
micro farms within schools in Africa to help supplement students’ meals with
nutritional fruits and vegetables. The program plans to feed 100,000 students a
day by the end of 2014.
4. Screw
Business as Usual by Richard Branson: Founder of the Virgin Group, everyone
knows Richard Branson as one of the most incredible, famous and admired
entrepreneurs out there. Screw Business as Usual is his take on bringing more
meaning into your life while changing the world. Branson provides a treasure
trove of real-life examples and how-to’s from his own foundation. He also sites
companies as varied as Method and General Electric, which have used their
businesses to make the world a better place.
5. Mission in
a Bottle by Seth Goldman and Barry Nalebuff: Mission is the story of Honest
Tea’s ascent from small local business to where it is today. One hundred
thousand retailers are currently selling it, and it’s being purchased by
Coca-Cola. Seth and Barry detail their quest to become a big beverage company
that is organic, healthy, authentic and yes — honest. This book is particularly
unique as the layout is in comic book form. While many business books can come
off as dry and inaccessible, this one could be just as entertaining to a seasoned
entrepreneur as a teenager interested in business.
What other
books would you add to this list?
From Business Insider
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