Entrepreneur – Charlotte, NC

Matt Cheney not only runs this site, but has a business of his own. It’s called Gopher Dogs , and he loves running it. When he’s not working on his business, he’s enjoying the perks of being a stay at home dad, tinkering with web design and learning Tai Chi Chuan.

Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
By Chip and Dan Heath

This book opened my eyes to the fact that "stickyness" has a formula. I reference this book every time I start a new marketing campaign.

Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable
By Seth Godin

I know, I’m cheating. The entirety of Seth’s work has influenced my business and the way I look at media.

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It
By Michael Gerber

Classic. Had I not read this before starting out on my own, I’d be selling overpriced cables and plasma tvs again.

A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose
By Eckhart Tolle

I should have listened to Leo Laporte when he recommended The Power of Now a year ago. Although I am still working on being present, my stress level has plummeted.

Honorable Mention

• RICH DAD POOR DAD By Robert Kiyosaki
• FOUR HOUR WORK WEEK By Tim Ferriss
• GETTING THINGS DONE By David Allen