All entrepreneurs have three things in common: belief in themselves, passion, and patience. However, those are just the foundation. There are a number of additional skills, tips, and unspoken rules one should know before beginning the journey, or at least shortly after. Of course, budding entrepreneurs have a spate of other things on their plates, factoring in reading a few books is not exactly exciting. Still, it’s important to invest the time in doing so, to acquire knowledge that could help you prevent mistakes down the line. On the positive side, I’ve compiled a small list for you, which saves a least a 20 minutes of your time. Check out my recommendations below.

1. The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers:
If no one has told you by now that starting and managing your own business is difficult, Ben Horowitz has you covered. The author shares personal stories about the good and the bad of entrepreneurship, discussing candidly about the mistakes he encountered so you don’t have to. This book will endow you with invaluable wisdom and answers that not many others have without Horowitz’s background.
Find out more: http://amzn.to/1S2aslP

2. Escaping the Corner Office: The Start-Up Kit for First Time Business Owners:
This book is for individuals considering leaving their full time, successful careers to launch a less secure, personal establishment of their own. Especially those of the 87% who considered going into business but fail to do so. However, contrary to popular belief, not everyone begins with business ownership as a goal; some of the best are inspired after having already worked for someone else. The books shares tips for managing that transition and how to optimize the work you’ve done in the past to build your business for the future.
Find out more: http://amzn.to/1niPW5m

3. One Million in the Bank: How To Make $1,000,000 With Your Own Business Even If You Have No Money or Experience:
The book’s title expresses very clearly its intent. Inspiring hopeful entrepreneurs who may not have prior experience nor loads of money. Neither is needed to become successful. Instead, the book details the process for  creating profitable business models, using basic marketing and sales, and builds on the stories of individuals who have done just that and subsequently amassed significant revenue. If that is also your goal, but you’re not sure where to start, check this one out.
Find out more: http://amzn.to/1SulRMS

4. The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses:
Eric Ries provides practical tips for slow growth and smart investments for startups, which rise quickly in America, but fail shortly. A major focus of the book is properly valuing innovation and developing in a way that’s sensible and conducive to long-term advancement. It also highlights the need for businesses to be flexible and adaptable in an ever-changing economy. This is the book to read for startups.
Find out more: http://amzn.to/1eY2uVF

5. Think and Grow Rich:
It’s no coincidence that this book has remained popular for over a half century. People love and appreciate the resources in this book, and many have claimed that it has helped them become better business owners. The philosophies within are drawn for the likes of Mary Kay Ash and Dave Thomas. This book doesn’t necessarily make you rich overnight, rather it provides tools to become successful in every facet of your life as well as business.
Find out more: http://amzn.to/1PDoPbF

6. Property Management Made Easy: For First-Time Rental Property Owners:
A book for navigating the real estate realm? Absolutely. Property managers are entrepreneurs, or should be. This book expresses in clear and relevant detail what rental property owners need to know, with specific tips about determining ability to pay and improving overall revenue.
Find out more: http://amzn.to/20caydD

7. Craft, Inc.: Turn Your Creative Hobby into a Business:
Perhaps you have a skill or something that you do for fun, like knitting, cooking, or graphic design. There’s a market for it, and if you’re interested, you could be leveraging it to your advantage. The author details how to do so with guides on applying for business license and bringing your product to the masses. In short, this Craft Inc. tells you how to mesh the legal with the creative to bring real value to the work in which you specialize.
Find out more: http://amzn.to/1WrrR8a