Build it

Tools and books for starting a business

The tools and books below are ones founders genuinely use to start small. Printful is the print-on-demand service our own Fire Empire stores run on.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy or book through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. We do not invent reviews or ratings, and it never changes what we recommend. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Start selling

Visit PrintfulPrintful print-on-demandSell custom shirts, hoodies and more with no inventory; Printful prints and ships each order. It is what our own stores use.

Books founders recommend

Search on AmazonThe E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. GerberWhy most small businesses stall, and how to build systems. Search on AmazonProfit First by Mike MichalowiczA simple cash-management method for small businesses. Search on AmazonThe $100 Startup by Chris GuillebeauCase studies of businesses started on very little money. Search on AmazonShoe Dog by Phil KnightThe Nike founder's memoir of the early, near-bankrupt years.

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How we pick

We list well-known books and simple, widely sold product types that fit what we cover. We have not been paid to include anything, we do not publish ratings or reviews we have not done, and prices change, so always check the seller's page. Store and booking pages are run by those companies, not by us.

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