Although it didn\u2019t arrive until the end of October, Walter Isaacson\u2019s biography of Steve Jobs was the top selling book of 2011. It\u2019s continued to grace bestseller lists this year, too.<\/p>\n
This is notable for several reasons, but caught my attention because biographies of entrepreneurs don\u2019t usually attract such huge readership. What a shame.<\/p>\n
Many such true stories are every bit as intriguing as fictional tales. More importantly, they can provide inspiration and trigger ideas for others wishing to succeed in the Joyfully Jobless world.<\/p>\n
As Caroline Myss reminds us, \u201cWe evolve at the rate of the tribe we\u2019re plugged into.\u201d Knowing the stories of others who have carved their own path can be enormously helpful to our own evolution.<\/p>\n
Some of my favorite business biographies aren\u2019t even close to being bestsellers, but they\u2019re certainly worth investigating. While many of the subjects\/authors are now well-known, there was a time when they were known only to their families.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve missed any of these true stories, track them down and see what you can learn.<\/p>\n
Losing My Virginity<\/em><\/strong> is Sir Richard Branson\u2019s autobiography of his early years in business. He\u2019s written several other books sharing his philosophy and recent enterprises, but this charmer offers us a glimpse of the early days of the self-described adventure capitalist.<\/p>\n Ben and Jerry\u2019s Double-Dip<\/em><\/strong> by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield shows us what it means to create a values-led business. Read this while enjoying a bowl of Cherry Garcia or Creme Brulee.<\/p>\n Hershey<\/em><\/strong> by Michael D\u2019Antonio is the surprisingly inspiring tale of Milton S. Hershey who not only became synonymous with chocolate bars, but was one of the country\u2019s first social entrepreneurs. This visionary was decades ahead of his time.<\/p>\n The Gospel According to Coco Chanel<\/em><\/strong> by Karen Karbo brings us the philosophy of another visionary whose humble beginnings bore no resemblance to the influential woman she became. Chanel was opinionated and not shy about speaking her mind on living life on your own terms.<\/p>\n In Pursuit of the Common Good<\/em><\/strong> by Paul Newman and A.E. Hotchner is one of the funniest stories on the list. It\u2019s a marvel that Newman\u2019s Own ever managed to succeed.<\/p>\n Body and Soul<\/em><\/strong> by Anita Roddick is subtitled Profits With Principles. This book recounts the early days of The Body Shop. Equally worth tracking down is her later book, Business as Unusual<\/em><\/strong>. You may need to do some detective work to find either title. It\u2019s worth it.<\/p>\n Start Something That Matters<\/em><\/strong> by Blake Mycoskie, the founder of TOMS shoes, urges us to use our businesses to make a positive difference in the world.<\/p>\n Make the Impossible Possible<\/em><\/strong> by Bill Strickland is a book I reread every year. It\u2019s the incredible story of the author\u2019s journey to create Manchester Bidwell, a jobs training center and community arts program near Pittsburgh. Every city should be so blessed.<\/p>\n Banker to the Poor<\/em><\/strong> by Muhammad Yunus shares the story of the birth of micro-lending, which helped poor women in Bangladesh become successful businessowners.<\/p>\n While you may be able to locate some of these books through your public library, I believe they deserve a permanent home in your library. Every one of these stories is worth revisiting from time to time.<\/p>\n