PR ON THE GO • June 9, 2025

Women in Business Reads: Empowerment Books for Female Entrepreneurs to Read This Summer

We asked our PR and growth experts to recommend a book by a female author for women aspiring to become entrepreneurs or looking to grow their businesses. Women entrepreneurs, find inspiration for your summer reading list here!

We hope you enjoy our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all have been independently selected by our editors. FYI: PR ON THE GO and its publishing partners may earn a commission and/or other compensation from links on this page.

The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You by Julie Zhuo

RECOMMENDED BY: Emily Reynolds-Bergh, Owner at R Public Relations

"The Making of a Manager by Julie Zhou, while not directly related to launching a business, is a must-read for any new entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, hiring, firing, and managing are baked into your role at the helm of the business. Zhou offers actionable advice regarding how to structure meetings, improve efficiency, and build a company culture you can be proud of."

Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brené Brown

RECOMMENDED BY: Paige Arnof-Fenn, Owner at Mavens & Moguls

"I highly recommend Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts by Brene Brown. She is an academic who writes and speaks about her research in very practical ways. She shares powerful insights to dare you to think big and has the data to back it up. She excels in describing behaviors and emotions that we've all felt. More importantly, she gives us constructive actions we can take to live and work more effectively during these unprecedented times. When it comes to empowering and inspiring entrepreneurs you can never go wrong with any of her books actually."

Disrupt-Her: A Manifesto for the Modern Woman by Miki Agrawal

RECOMMENDED BY: Idan Ohayon, Growth Expert & Owner at Insuranks

"As someone who advises startups and growth-stage ventures, I’ve read hundreds of business books, but “Disrupt-Her” by Miki Agrawal is the one that sticks with me because it breaks the traditional “lean in” narrative. It’s not just about tactics, it’s about reframing permission and power in business. Agrawal challenges every norm women are taught to follow in entrepreneurship, from pricing their services to defining what “professionalism” even looks like.
One of my clients, a female founder in the healthcare tech space—read this and finally raised her rates without guilt. Why? Because the book gave her language to challenge internalized limitations, not just external ones.
It’s bold, occasionally brash and exactly the kind of perspective shift that a lot of entrepreneurial women need more than another branding tip. A must-read for anyone building unapologetically."

Girl Code: Unlocking the Secrets to Success, Sanity, and Happiness for the Female Entrepreneur by Cara Alwill Leyba

RECOMMENDED BY: Beth Bernette, Lead Real Estate Agent at Tropic Residential

"One book I highly recommend is “Girl Code: Unlocking the Secrets to Success, Sanity, and Happiness for the Female Entrepreneur” by Cara Alwill Leyba. I read it when I was planning my move into the Florida real estate market, and the stories and advice from fellow female entrepreneurs were a game changer. Cara's no-nonsense encouragement—especially about building rather than competing with other women—helped shape my approach to networking and personal branding. More than once, I’ve shared “Girl Code” with women I mentor as it balances practical business tips with the kind of mindset shifts that are so essential for growth.
If you’re looking for inspiration plus actionable strategies, it's a perfect summer read for any woman ready to take bold entrepreneurial steps."

Everything Is Figureoutable Paperback by Marie Forleo

RECOMMENDED BY: Angel Sanchez, Owner & Photographer at Wanderlust Portraits

"One book I’ve found particularly powerful is “Everything is Figureoutable” by Marie Forleo. Marie’s approach cuts through the noise—her story and actionable mindset shifts helped me tackle mindset roadblocks when I first launched my photography business. She doesn’t just hype up positivity; she delivers specific strategies for managing overwhelm and navigating the uncertainty that comes with starting or scaling a venture. I’ve recommended this book to peers because it meets women where they are and arms them with both practical business skills and real encouragement to chart their own course.
If you’re looking for an empowering, practical read for female founders or aspiring entrepreneurs, “Everything is Figureoutable” is my top pick this summer."

Website Wealth: A Business Leader’s Guide to Driving Real Value from your Analytics by Philippa Gamse

RECOMMENDED BY: Philippa Gamse, Owner & Chief Digital Marketing Strategist at Websites That Win International

"My own book "Website Wealth: A Business Leader's Guide to Driving Real Value through your Analytics" was just released.
It's designed for business decision makers who don't want to get into the weeds of all the data, charts and techy terminology, but who do want an understanding of how to think strategically about their website and how to ensure that it's performing optimally in growing their business and their return on investment, while stopping the many ways to unwittingly waste money. It has lots of stories and examples to bring the points home.
It's endorsed by Dorie Clark, Peter Shankman, Mike Michalowicz, Jay Steinfeld (the founder of blinds.com, one of the first successful eCommerce sites), and others."

Feel the Fear... and Do It Anyway: Dynamic Techniques for Turning Fear, Indecision, and Anger into Power, Action, and Love by Susan Jeffers

RECOMMENDED BY: Themwani Chirambo, Client Relations Director at Pearl Lemon

"I'm excited to recommend Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway by Dr Susan Jeffers. This book has had such a strong influence, and I think that it will resonate with many young women entrepreneurs. I transitioned through several jobs over a short space of time, from account manager to client relations director. My boss saw my potential, but at times, I lacked the confidence to fully use my strengths.
It showed me that confidence is learnt, not innate. The practical advice it offers has been worth its weight in gold in allowing me to take on leadership roles with greater confidence, and I believe it’s a must-read for women looking to grow in business."

Women Who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype by Clarissa Pinkola Estés

RECOMMENDED BY: Andrea Hayley-Sankaran, Founder at Lotuswood Organic Wellness Farm

"When I was building Lotuswood Organic Wellness Farm from the ground up — while also raising a family and staying true to my values as a nutritionist and healer — I often looked for books that felt like a conversation with someone who got it. One that stood out and stayed with me is "Women Who Run With the Wolves" by Clarissa Pinkola Estés.

It’s not your typical business manual. It’s more like a spiritual field guide for women who are creating something bold, soulful, and entirely their own — which is exactly what entrepreneurship is at its core.

The book reminded me that our intuition is not just valid, it’s vital. That building a business isn’t about copying what others are doing — it’s about returning to what’s most alive in us. That message gave me the courage to keep Lotuswood rooted in wellness and nature, even when it seemed easier to follow a conventional path.

So, if you’re a woman trying to grow something meaningful — whether it’s a business, a movement, or a new version of yourself — this book helps you reconnect with the fierce, wise woman inside who already knows the way.

It's not a "10 steps to scale" kind of read. But it will change the way you show up — in business and in life. And honestly, that’s the real growth."

We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman’s Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth, and Gaining Economic Power by Rachel Rodgers

RECOMMENDED BY: Renata Lutz, Founder & Photographer at The Portrait Mama

"We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers belongs on every woman entrepreneur’s shelf.

I read it during a growth phase in my business; juggling motherhood, bookings, and mentorship calls. The book forced me to reassess how I spent my time, pricing my work, and setting limits. Rodgers doesn’t romanticize entrepreneurship. She explains how under-earning is a habit, not a character flaw, and teaches you how to break it.

One chapter that stayed with me: “Million Dollar Decisions.” She outlines how women remain stuck in low-impact decisions while avoiding the uncomfortable, high-reward ones. That hit hard. I started saying no to unpaid opportunities, underpriced projects, and anything that drained me without return. My income doubled that year.

Rodgers also writes directly to women who are tired of feeling guilty for wanting financial independence. She makes space for ambition. For mothers. For creatives. For women who want to build wealth without apology.

If you’re waiting for permission to go all-in on your business, this is the permission. No fluff. No vague affirmations. Actionable strategy. Direct advice.
You don’t need another productivity hack. You need to believe your work matters; and charge like it does.

If you’ve ever felt behind, burned out, or unsure if you’re “ready,” read this book.
Then get to work."

Changemakers Wanted: Your Blueprint for Lasting Impact and Ethical Change by Danaya Wilson

RECOMMENDED BY: Danaya Wilson, Co-Founder & CEO at BetterCertify

"If you are looking for a book that speaks directly to women ready to lead, build, and make a lasting impact, I recommend my own book Changemakers Wanted: A Women’s Blueprint for Lasting Impact and Ethical Change.

This book is for women who have “leaned in” for the last decade and are now ready to rise up—not just for themselves, but for future generations of female leaders. It offers a powerful mix of practical tools and bold encouragement for entrepreneurs, leaders, and change agents looking to grow their businesses with purpose and impact. From navigating motherhood and ambition to advocating for structural change in the workplace, it is a guide for women ready to redefine what leadership looks like."

The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business: Make Great Money. Work the Way You Like. Have the Life You Want. by Elaine Pofeldt

RECOMMENDED BY: Dr. Marcia Layton Turner, Bestselling business book ghostwriter

"Let’s shine the spotlight on The Million-Dollar One-Person Business: Make Great Money. Work the Way You Like. Have the Life You Want, by Elaine Pofeldt.

Elaine Pofeldt writes about million-dollar businesses for Forbes.com and hosts a series of online workshops through the New York Public Library on the topic in an effort to help small business owners think bigger. She is a champion of entrepreneurship, and her book offers strategies for scaling as well as numerous case studies of solopreneurs that have done just that. In general, she explains, million-dollar businesses use outsourcing, automation, mobile technology, or a combination of the three to build and grow their ventures. Her book is both inspiring and instructional, which is why it is one of my favorites."

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