The E-Myth Revisited
Michael E. Gerber · first published 1995 · ISBN 9780060574901
Gerber breaks down why most small businesses fail within five years. He argues that the craftsperson's mindset (doing the work yourself) is different from the entrepreneur's mindset (building a business that works without you). The book walks through how to document your processes, create systems that others can follow, and turn your technical skills into a scalable operation.
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The Best Books for Tradespeople Starting a Business
This is the foundation. Every trade owner should understand the difference between working in your business versus working on it. Gerber's ideas about systematizing your company directly apply to how you'd organize a contracting practice.