5 Must-Read Books for Building Brands and Wealth by Entrepre…
you are welcome breaking the blueprint – A new blog series that highlights the unique business challenges and opportunities of underrepresented business owners and entrepreneurs. Learn how they’ve grown or scaled their businesses, explored entrepreneurial ventures within their companies, or created side hustles, and how their stories can inspire and inform your success.
White authors dominate book publishing, and it can be difficult for people of color to find successful entrepreneurship stories written by founders, CEOs, and marketing executives with similar cultural backgrounds. “Big Five” publisher Penguin Random House reported that 76% of their released books in 2019–2021 were by white contributors. This percentage may be related to 74% of their employees being white.
Amid statements of prioritizing DEI efforts and leadership restructuring – such as PRH putting their bid to acquire Simon & Schuster on hold – time will tell whether publishing houses will make significant progress in diversity across their rosters and workforce.
Learning from someone with whom you can relate lived experiences is invaluable and affirming. This is a chance to feel less isolated while creating the blueprint for a company you once thought was an impossible dream.
To learn new paths to success and strategies for building your business, community, and wealth, here are five must-read books by entrepreneurs of color.
1. This Is Not a T-Shirt: A Brand, a Culture, a Community—A Life in Streetwear By Bobby Hundred
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In his memoir, Bobby Hundred invites us on a behind-the-scenes journey of the creation of his iconic and culture-changing streetwear brand, The Hundred. It’s an intimate story that begins with her tumultuous upbringing as a punk Korean-American outsider in Southern California and moves into profound anecdotes about her emergence as a leading voice in the industry.
Beyond practical advice and an entertaining history of streetwear’s global influence on fashion, art, and music, this memoir is an inspirational take on the importance of preserving the essence of streetwear and nurturing a brand’s lifeline – a ride-or-die community. salute.
average range:4.8 out of 5
review excerpt: “This book is more than the story of a brand selling shirts, it shows that building a lasting brand takes more than just a good design or logo, but building a community that will listen to you on your BS. Will call and support you to the end as you live up to your foundation.”
2. Jefa in Training: Business Startup Toolkit for Entrepreneurs and Creative Women Ashley K. by Stoyanov Ojeda
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Written in Spanglish, Jefa’s In Training is a playbook and tool kit for solo entrepreneurs and small businesses in the startup stage. In conversations with Latina immigrants and Hispanic Americans, Ojeda shares first-hand experiences, guest stories, worksheets, and templates to guide women of color in turning their projects into full-fledged businesses.
average range:4.7 out of 5
review excerpt: “This book helps you overcome every fear that is stopping you from starting a business. The quotes at the front of each chapter keep you motivated, the worksheets at the end keep you productive, and the tips/stories from other Latina entrepreneurs remind you that your dreams can come true.
3. Breakthrough Power: How empty pockets, a tight budget and a hunger for success can become your biggest competitive advantage By Daymond John with Daniel Paisner
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Shark Tank star Daymond John had humble beginnings. He sold products on the streets of Queens and turned that business into the $6 billion brand FUBU. Through his personal story and the stories of other visionaries with empires, John explains how ambitious entrepreneurs can turn the frustration of being penniless into a superpower to achieve greater success and become more efficient and innovative.
average range:4.6 out of 5
review excerpt: “The most comprehensive business book I have read! Lots of examples of successful entrepreneurs and their journey to the top. I enjoyed the format of the book with all the case studies, I really felt like I learned a lot. Daymond is very authentic and I think that’s how people connect with him the most. He is very friendly and polite and it comes across in his book.”
4. It’s About Time: How to Turn Being Underestimated into Your Biggest Advantage Rachel L. With Nelson by Arlan Hamilton
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Arlan Hamilton is a black, gay woman who survived on food stamps and slept on the floor of the San Francisco airport.
Even without a college degree, background in finance, or any contacts in Silicon Valley, his perseverance and hard work led him to become a venture capitalist by investing in underrepresented and undervalued people like himself. Inspired for.
His book is an unfiltered and inspirational account of pursuing success, overcoming obstacles, and staying true to yourself while staking your claim as an entrepreneur, even if no one like you is breaking into your dream industry. Have been.
average range:4.8 out of 5
review excerpt: “As someone who doesn’t plan on raising capital as part of my business model, I originally didn’t think this book would apply to me. How wrong I was. From the very first chapter, I was captivated by Arlan’s story and his innate ability to weave business advice, truth and pointed (and poignant) realities as well as real-life suggestions to change the story.
5. We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman’s Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth, and Gaining Financial Power by Rachel Rogers
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Rachel Rogers is on a mission to reshape the way women think about money so they can take responsibility for their lives, overcome histories of systemic inequality, and secure financial freedom.
While seven figures may seem extremely unattainable, Rogers’ book is a practical guide to million-dollar decisions, savvy strategies for making and investing money, and overcoming the mindset that limits you.
average range:4.8 out of 5
review excerpt: “Part autobiography, part roadmap to success, completely authentic and 100% relatable – this book is the new book for women in business. I’ve read a lot of personal development and business books and run my own 6-figure generating business and I can say without hesitation that there is next level advice between the covers of these.
No matter what your story is, success is limitless and the path is different for everyone. Whether you’re just starting out or have an established company, pick a book from this list and invest in your business journey by learning from those who have endured the ups and downs of entrepreneurship before you.
