5 Books Every Woman in Business Should Read

There’s something sacred and empowering about standing in the gap between who you were and who God is calling you to be. That space — the in-between — is where transformation happens. For many of us as women in business, especially those anchored in faith, this transformation is both practical and spiritual. We don’t just want to build profitable businesses; we want to build purposeful, impactful, and God-honoring ones.

But let’s be real: this journey isn’t always smooth. There are moments of doubt, fear, burnout, and feeling like you’re the only one trying to juggle purpose and profit, motherhood and mission, rest and revenue. And that’s exactly why the right book can change everything.

Books are more than just bound pages — they’re mentorship in your hand. They’re permission slips, strategy sessions, and altar calls all wrapped in one. They remind us we’re not alone. That we’re called. And that we’re capable.

So today, I want to share 5 life-changing books every woman in business should read — especially if you’re tired of shrinking, ready to step into your next level, and serious about building something that lasts.

1. Believe Bigger by Marshawn Evans Daniels

“Purpose isn’t something you find — it’s something you remember.”

If you’re in a season of transition or feeling stuck between your current reality and a God-sized dream, Believe Bigger is your sign to surrender and rise. Marshawn Evans Daniels is a reinvention strategist, former attorney, and Miss America finalist who walked through public heartbreak only to discover her true purpose in the ashes.

She invites women to stop settling for less and start partnering with God in bold, unapologetic faith. This book is less about hustle and more about divine alignment. It’s about understanding that your gifts are not random; they’re roadmaps.

Key Takeaways:

• Your gifts are divine breadcrumbs leading you to purpose.
• Sometimes disruption is God’s greatest direction.
• Saying “yes” to God is the start of everything shifting.

Why Every Woman in Business Should Read It:

If you’re building a business but feeling a tug toward deeper meaning, this book helps you realign. It reminds you that you’re not behind — you’re being positioned. Marshawn’s voice is like that wise big sister who won’t let you play small. It’s raw, real, and spiritually rich.

📖 Perfect For: The woman who’s navigating transition, craving purpose, or feeling spiritually dry in her business.

2. We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers

“You can’t make a difference if you’re broke.”

Whew! That quote hits hard, doesn’t it? Rachel Rodgers pulls no punches. She’s a lawyer turned entrepreneur who built a multi-million dollar company and is on a mission to normalize wealth for women — especially women of color. Her book We Should All Be Millionaires is both a practical guide and a mindset revolution.

This book will confront the lies you’ve been told about money — that it’s bad to want it, that it’s selfish to build wealth, that you’re not capable or worthy. Rachel takes those lies and tears them to shreds with truth, data, and sass.

Key Takeaways:

• Building wealth is not selfish — it’s responsible.
• Your time is your most valuable asset.
• Every woman should have a Million Dollar Decision mindset.

Why Every Woman in Business Should Read It:

If you’re undercharging, overgiving, or playing small in your pricing or offerings, this book will light a fire under you. It will call you out and cheer you on. Rachel doesn’t sugarcoat, but she empowers. She’ll challenge you to think and act like a CEO, not a struggling side-hustler.

📖 Perfect For: The woman who’s ready to stop playing small financially and build unapologetic, legacy-level wealth.

3. Dare to Lead by Brené Brown

“Who we are is how we lead.”

Leadership isn’t about position — it’s about posture. And no one teaches this better than Brené Brown. In Dare to Lead, she combines years of research with deep storytelling to help us understand that vulnerability isn’t weakness — it’s power.

Let’s be honest: leading a business as a woman of faith often means carrying a lot. Emotional labor. Spiritual burdens. The weight of legacy. This book teaches you how to lead with heart and still be effective. It shows you how to create cultures of trust, clarity, and courage — even if you’re a solopreneur leading only yourself right now.

Key Takeaways:

• You can’t lead others well if you’re hiding from your own truth.
• Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.
• Courageous leaders choose connection over control.

Why Every Woman in Business Should Read It:

Because leadership isn’t just about hiring or managing a team — it’s about how you show up in client meetings, how you handle conflict, how you navigate failure. Whether you’re coaching clients or pitching your services, this book helps you lead with more grace and less grit-your-teeth.

📖 Perfect For: The woman leading a team, brand, or mission — who wants to do it with integrity and heart.

4. Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

“Losing yourself doesn’t happen all at once. Losing yourself happens one ‘no’ at a time.”

Before she was the queen of TV with Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away with Murder, Shonda Rhimes was a behind-the-scenes introvert saying “no” to everything — until she decided to say “yes” for one whole year.

Year of Yes is a funny, relatable, deeply inspiring memoir of what happens when you stop hiding. It’s about reclaiming your voice, your health, your joy, and your God-given right to be seen and celebrated.

And let’s not lie — many of us have been conditioned to dim our light. We say no to opportunities, no to rest, no to God’s best, out of fear. This book invites you to say yes to life again.

Key Takeaways:

• Saying yes can be scary — and that’s okay.
• You can be powerful and still be humble.
• Being seen is part of being called.

Why Every Woman in Business Should Read It:

If you’ve ever battled imposter syndrome or shied away from the spotlight, this book will give you a gentle but firm nudge forward. It’s not about hustle — it’s about holy boldness. It’s about saying yes to the life God has for you — with joy, fire, and freedom.

📖 Perfect For: The woman who’s tired of playing it safe and ready to walk boldly into new rooms and roles.

5. Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis

“Your dream is worth fighting for.”

There’s a certain fire that comes with knowing who you are and refusing to apologize for it. Rachel Hollis brings that fire in Girl, Stop Apologizing. It’s a permission slip for the woman who’s been waiting for someone to tell her it’s okay to want more.

While some critiques around Hollis have surfaced in recent years, the core of this book still holds strong for many women: stop asking for permission. Stop waiting. Stop hiding. You don’t need to shrink to be accepted. You were never meant to fit in — you were meant to stand out.

Key Takeaways:

• You don’t need permission to pursue your goals.
• Excuses are comforting lies — not truth.
• Discipline and consistency matter more than motivation.

Why Every Woman in Business Should Read It:

Because too many women are waiting to feel “ready.” This book reminds you that ready is a myth. If you’re waiting for the perfect moment to start your podcast, launch your business, or write your book — this is your wake-up call.

📖 Perfect For: The woman who’s ready to ditch excuses, silence shame, and run hard after her dreams.

Final Word: You Deserve to Learn, Lead, and Live Boldly

These aren’t just “nice reads” — they’re tools for transformation. They’ll stretch you. Convict you. Call you out and call you higher.

As Proverbs 4:7 says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” These authors have poured out wisdom. Your job is to soak it up, apply it, and let it multiply in your life and business.

So grab one book. Or all five. Highlight, underline, dog-ear the pages. Let them challenge how you show up. Let them remind you that you were made for more — and it’s time to walk in that “more” with your head high and your heart surrendered.

💻 You can find these books on:
Takealot | Loot | Amazon

🌻 Let’s Keep Rising, Together

Remember this, sis: when one woman rises, we all rise. So keep reading. Keep investing in yourself. Keep building with faith and fire.

If this blog blessed you, share it with a friend, or better yet — start a mini book club! Because empowered women don’t just read books… they live them out.