Here are my top recommendations for business books for wedding and event planners. I have read all of these books at least four times and reference them often when I am feeling stuck or when I need new ideas for my business and life.

The $100 Startup by Chris Gullibeau

I wish I had this book ten years ago when I was trying to figure out what to do with my life. The stories and examples of people starting successful businesses with a very small amount of money are beyond inspiring.  Sometimes, achieving that perfect blend of passion and income doesn’t depend on shelving what you currently do. You can start small with your venture, committing little time or money, and wait to take the real plunge when you’re sure it’s successful. In preparing to write this book,  the author identified 1,500 individuals who have built businesses earning $50,000 or more from a modest investment (in many cases, $100 or less), and from that group he’s chosen to focus on the 50 most intriguing case studies. In nearly all cases, people with no special skills discovered aspects of their personal passions that could be monetized, and were able to restructure their lives in ways that gave them greater freedom and fulfillment.

The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks

The Big Leap is a  personal learning book following an idea of coming to a fundamental realization that will help you better yourself. In this case, the central hidden realization we can come to is that when we begin to enjoy great success in some area of our lives, we tend to create problems in that or another area of our lives. We do this because we hit our “upper limit” of happiness, financial success, joy in a relationship, or any of a number of other things, and this upper limit causes us to unconsciously sabotage ourselves or even make ourselves ill. If you are a “Type A” personality, a perfectionist, or a workaholic, this book may be for you. This book helped me recognize when I was hitting my “upper limit” which allowed me to break through it and reach another level of success and happiness.

Book Yourself Solid by Michael Port

This book made me question all of my marketing for my event planning business. The simple ideas and philosophy really makes sense. For example, here are some questions to ask yourself:

How can I be fully self-expressed in my work to create meaning for me and those whom I serve?
How can I work only in the areas of my greatest strengths and talents so that I can shine?
How many relationships with people of purpose did I make and deepen?
How can I better listen to and serve my ideal clients?
How can I wow people with substance?
How can I over-deliver on my promises to my clients?
How can I cooperate with other professionals to create more abundance?

The author’s claim is a large one: “If you keep asking yourself these questions, if you set a solid foundation for your business, build trust and credibility within your marketplace, and use the seven core self-promotion strategies [offered later in the book], you’ll be booked solid in no time.”  And I agree with him 100%.

Four Hour Workweek by Tim Ferris

This book literally changed how I think about life and work. The mindset that this book introduces about the deferred life plan and lifestyle design are so far from what I use to think about work and retirement. One of the most valuable points that I got from this book is that there is far less competition for the amazing opportunities in life, than there is for the mediocre ones. Most people think they don’t have a shot at the top opportunities so they don’t bother trying. Once we know this and what’s possible, it’s much easier to really go for what we want and not down-play our dream to the “practical,” more “easily-obtainable” version. This book made me evaluate why I was working so much then change it so that I was able to work smarter instead of working harder.

If you have other book recommendations for event planners and business owners, please share them in the comments!