Making it in business takes immense grit, determination, and hard work, but making it as an entrepreneurial woman often requires even more than that. With societal expectations, self-doubt, and male-dominated fields limiting opportunities for women, sometimes the idea of pushing through and pursuing your dreams can be daunting. But it doesn’t have to be.
Whether you’re looking to start a new business, want to nail your next board meeting, or are just getting into the corporate world, listening to the advice of famous women entrepreneurs is a great way to feel more prepared to take that next step. We’ve gathered 20 of the best audiobooks for women in business, full of practical advice and motivation.
If you don’t know Indra Nooyi’s name, you should: Nooyi was the first woman of color and immigrant to run a Fortune 50 company as the CEO of PepsiCo for over a decade. In this audiobook, Nooyi lets listeners in on what it took to get from a small village in India to her role as CEO. For those wanting a well-rounded memoir, look no further: Nooyi also dives into how her career impacted her family, her health, and the sacrifices she had to make to achieve her goals. She narrates the audiobook herself, recounting her experiences and offering suggestions on how to build better companies.
Ursula Burns recounts her journey to becoming the CEO of Xerox in this frank, thoughtful memoir. Narrated by Burns herself, this audiobook explores the business icon’s personal history, detailing, in nonchronological order, stories from her childhood, her beginnings at Xerox, her leadership style as CEO, and everything in between. She talks candidly about everything from what it was like working among mostly white men to interacting with President Barack Obama to the dangers of corporate culture. For an honest take on the business world, this is one you don't want to miss.
If you’re struggling with the way hustle culture pushes you to the point of burnout, business coach and entrepreneur Jadah Sellner is here with a solution. In She Builds, Sellner presents a model for taking on entrepreneurship that allows for a slower, more sustainable approach to success. Through her four principles of lead, optimize, visualize, and expand (L.O.V.E.), Sellner creates a guide for female entrepreneurs that keeps their well-being and mental health in mind.
Who better to learn about success in entrepreneurship from than the first Black woman billionaire? In her own voice, Sheila Johnson details the road that led to her success as the co-founder of Black Entertainment Television, the founder of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, and the owner of three professional sports teams. You’ll hear firsthand how she dealt with loss, death, abuse, and self-doubt along the way to her success and, most importantly, her happiness. For those needing reassurance that you, too, can succeed both in building a business and in finding happiness, her story is a must-listen.
There’s few better role models for motivation and inspiration than Cynt Marshall. Overcoming a difficult childhood, Marshall built a career through grit and perseverance, working her way up to an officer role at AT&T while also making a name for herself as a motivator and mentor. Then, she was diagnosed with cancer at 51. In the voice of Marshall herself, listeners will hear how her dedication to positivity and her faith kept her going through it all. This one’s great for any female entrepreneurs who need a boost of inspiration to keep pushing toward their dreams.
If you’re a woman struggling in the workplace but can’t figure out why, Likeable Badass is for you. Behavioral scientist Alison Fragale outlines common challenges women face, from getting credit on successful projects to building professional relationships. Using research and anecdotes, she offers empowering advice on how to elevate your status in the workplace through communication and behavioral changes. Warm and full of immediately applicable advice, this listen is perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to wait another moment to begin their journey toward success.
Do you struggle with self-doubt? Jamie Kern Lima is here to help you push back. In her friendly voice, she tells listeners about her journey from working as a Denny’s waitress to becoming an entrepreneur by moving past her limiting beliefs. She uses her own experiences to teach listeners actionable steps on how they can work on their self-confidence and self-worth to pursue their dreams. For women in business who struggle with believing in themselves, Worthy is a necessary addition to their well-being toolkit.
Women only make up 10 percent of the world’s millionaires. Self-made millionaire Rachel Rodgers is determined to change that, sharing what she’s learned to help other women reach that milestone. Rodgers delves into her own journey as a Black woman, business owner, and attorney, highlighting the ways women are taught by the patriarchy to have a different outlook on finances and demonstrating how to break free of that cycle. With her "Rodgers’ $10K in 10 Days Challenge" and other strategies to earn more income, Rodgers is changing the lives of women every day.
Senior vice president of Christie’s and auctioneer Lydia Fenet knows how intimidating it can be to walk into a business setting as a woman. But that doesn’t have to be the case. Mining her journey for relatable stories and practical advice, Fenet makes a compelling argument for standing strong and selling yourself, a skill that anyone can develop. Whether you’re trying to negotiate a raise, earn a coveted role, or lead a room, Fenet’s advice will help you take it in stride.
Former CEO of IBM Ginni Rometty knows what it means to have power and how best to use it to enact positive change. She makes a case for what she calls “good power,” in which anyone can use their influence to better the spaces and organizations in which they work, the people whose lives they touch, and the world at large. She believes in living in service of others and using technology responsibly to effect positive change at any stage of your career. Rometty tells her story with humility and heart, sure to inspire you to use your power—no matter the amount—for good.
Not everyone’s journey to success looks the same. For Sophia Amoruso, founder of the clothing company Nasty Gal, she spent her early years working draining day jobs and dumpster diving just to get by. Then, she got the idea to sell vintage clothing online. Years later, Nasty Gal was thriving. Amoruso is here to tell listeners that not everyone’s story will be the same—and that diversity of experience is a good thing! She asserts that your education or initial popularity do not matter. Rather, success blooms from your confidence, your ideas, and your hard work.
Fashion entrepreneur Diane von Furstenberg breaks down the A-to-Z of how to own your success, your way. Narrated by the author, Own It is perfect for the busy go-getter thanks to its unique, dictionary-like formatting that allows for quick, bite-sized listening. Furstenberg shares her thoughts, anecdotes, and musings in this unique take on a motivational book great for women in business who need a burst of motivation between meetings or on their commute to the office.
Launching a startup as a female entrepreneur isn’t easy, as Helaine Knapp knows all too well. In Making Waves, Knapp narrates the ups and downs of her experiences. After being introduced to rowing, Knapp came up with the idea for CITYROW, a workout regimen that combined rowing and strength training. She touches on not only the business side of creating a fitness startup but also the emotional side, sharing with raw honesty what it’s actually like to take that leap. Full of lessons learned and motivational spirit, this one’s great for any burgeoning entrepreneur.
Do you have an idea for a business but just can’t work out how to make it a reality? Carrie Green is here to help. After starting her first business at 20, Green has mastered the process in the years since, learning from her past mistakes to create a guide for other female entrepreneurs. Full of advice, reflection questions, and a 29-day challenge for listeners to take on, She Means Business is both practical and motivational.
If you’re looking for advice from many different successful women, How I Get It Done, hosted by Shereen Marisol Meraji, is the perfect listen. Meraji holds conversations with women in various fields, including actresses, founders, entrepreneurs, and artists, about their pathways to success. In each chat, she fosters deep connections with her guests, giving them the space to share authentic, vulnerable moments and practical advice. This Audible Original is perfect for anyone in search of a variety of voices, stories, and perspectives.
Kumiko Love shares lessons she learned from pulling herself out of debt as a single mother who spent years worrying about money. One day, she had an epiphany that her self-doubt and feelings of guilt and shame were controlling her finances. She decided to rethink money and debt, creating a realistic financial plan that utilized her emotions and lived experiences to her advantage. My Money My Way features tools to evaluate and improve your financial health, offering a refreshingly authentic and practical mindset on money management.
As Quinnen Williams’s agent, Nicole Lynn was the first Black woman to represent a top-three NFL draft pick. Since then, she’s also gone on to represent Jalen Hurts and serve as the president of football operations for Klutch Sports Group. In Agent You, Lynn narrates her journey from childhood poverty to finding success in a male-dominated field. In each chapter, Lynn offers listeners exercises to use on the path toward achieving their goals.
Why is it that most corporate settings are still dominated by men, even when women are equally, if not more, qualified? The Confidence Code, narrated by Sandy Rustin, presents evidence that confidence is the key and women often lack confidence due to societal and genetic conditions. But how do women close the confidence gap? Authors Katty Kay and Claire Shipman argue it’s through action, embracing the authentic self, and working through failure. If you’re paralyzed by perfectionism and striving for a corner office, this audiobook might just teach you how to overcome what’s holding you back.
At 23, Nona Jones became an executive of a Fortune 100 company, a success many people strive for. Even so, she struggled with the lasting impact of childhood trauma. Narrated by Jones, she shares how she overcame her past trauma, leaned on her faith, and succeeded, founding Inside Out Leadership, which helps individuals and organizations learn about and enact resilient leadership.
Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue and chief content officer of Condé Nast, didn’t get there overnight. This biography of her life chronicles her childhood, her first job at a boutique in London, and her ascension to fame. Crafted from interviews with those closest to her, Amy Odell’s marvelous biography of Wintour is a comprehensive documentation of a trailblazing life. Her story makes for a great listen for any female entrepreneurs who find solace in hearing the sagas of women who have made it big.
