Looking for a quick, fun summer biz read with maximum impact for your bottom line? Be sure to check out Mike's new book, Profit First. The title says it all!

I'm the first to admit -I'm terrible with math and numbers! But even this equation I can follow:

Revenue - Profit = Expenses

Say what?! That equation goes against everything we've been taught about how to manage the finances of our business! In Profit First, Mike Michalowicz, author of The Pumpkin Plan & The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, suggests a different approach, one that works with human behavior. Instead of putting sales and expenses at the top, put sales and profit at the top. What gets measured gets managed. Start putting profit at the top, and you will start managing profit. Finally.

It’s Your Business: 183 Essential Tips that Will Transform Your Small Business by JJ Ramberg is the critically acclaimed, Wall Street Journal best-seller and must-read for family-owned stores to venture capitalist-backed start ups alike. Not only do readers gain valuable advice from Ramberg, but the author has invited notable entrepreneurs such as Blake Mycoskie (TOMS shoes) and Guy Kawasaki (Apple), to share their experiences. The book covers a myriad of topics from human resources to finance, public relations to sales, by presenting simple and effective methods.

Photo credit: "Girl Reading A Book On A Beach" by Michal Marcol

The Pumpkin Plan: A Simple Strategy to Grow a Remarkable Business in Any Field by Mike Michalowicz is one of our all-time faves-- inspired by pumpkin farmers! Amidst the struggle of running his first business 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, Michalowicz realized he could apply the pumpkin-growing process to his company. So what is the Pumpkin Plan, you ask? Plant the right seeds. Weed out the losers. Nurture the winners. This hysterical guide offers numerous stories of successful entrepreneurs, leading readers through nontraditional strategies in order to help them build a business at the top of its game.