- One of the key priorities of entrepreneurial success is to continuously invest in your own education. I have never met a truly great entrepreneur who doesn't read books to stay on top of the latest trends impacting their business and the global marketplace as a whole. Today, they may do it via their favorite E-reader or iPad, but make no mistake about—the best entrepreneurs read. It's in this spirit that I strongly recommend five books that I believe are must-reads for the current business environment.
- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Black+Business+Secrets&x=0&y=0" target="_blank"><em><strong>Black Business Secrets: 500 Tips, Strategies and Resources for the African American Entrepreneur</strong></em></a> by Dante Lee (<a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/2010/12/21/black-business-secrets/"><strong>Read my book review</strong></a>)
- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Illusions-Entrepreneurship-Costly-Entrepreneurs-Investors/dp/0300158564/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1304000592&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><em><strong>The Illusions of Entrepreneurship: The Costly Myths That Entrepreneurs, Investors and Policy Makers Live By</strong></em></a> by Scott A. Shane
- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Made-Stick-Ideas-Survive-Others/dp/1400064287/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1304000552&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><em><strong>Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die</strong></em></a> by Chip & Dan Heath (<a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/2007/05/01/sticky-situations/"><strong>Read my book review</strong></a>)
- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Long-Tail-Future-Business-Selling/dp/B001Q9E9F6/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1304000506&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><em><strong>The Long Tail: Why The Future of Business is Selling Less of More</strong></em></a> by Chris Anderson
- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Become-Your-Months-Month-Month/dp/1605501115" target="_blank"><em><strong>Become Your Own Boss In 12 Months: A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works</strong></em></a> by Melinda F. Emerson (<a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/2010/04/17/now-read-this-become-your-own-boss-in-12-months/"><strong>Read my book review</strong></a>)









![Money-ladder-620x480 Have the proper capital to invest to build a franchise system that lasts. “When you build a franchise system, there are a lot of hidden costs you may not be aware of,” he says. “You have to be able to have the right people, the right amount of capital to put into your marketing program and legal costs related to your FDD [Franchise Disclosure Document].” The FDD is a legal document which is presented to prospective buyers of franchises in the pre-sale disclosure.](http://cdn4.blackenterprise.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2011/09/Money-ladder-620x480-90x100.jpg)


