Jackson Free Press logo

This story originally appeared in the Jackson Free Press. It was added to the Mississippi Free Press website in 2025.
Note that any opinions expressed in legacy Jackson Free Press stories do not reflect a position of the Mississippi Free Press or necessarily of its staff and board members.

For all you future business leaders of Jackson (and even some established ones), running a business is never easy. Hard work and determination are the keys to victory. But every now and then you will need advice, whether to start a business or to continue running one. Here are some books that just might help you out.

“Poke the Box” by Seth Godin (The Domino Project, 2011, $12.99)
A manifesto about being willing to take risks and “poke” around to make things happen.

“Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us” by Daniel H. Pink (Riverhead Hardcover, 2009, $26.95)
Pink shares his discoveries on the things that actually motivate people: a deeply human need to direct our own lives, a need to learn and create new things, and a desire to do better by ourselves and our world.

“Zen Habits Handbook for Life” by Leo Babauta (The Editorium, 2011, $12.95)
Tips from the blog, including: how to simplify life; how to be productive with less stress; and how to achieve your dreams.

“Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time” by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl Raz (Crown Business, 1st edition, 2005, $26)
This book is not about networking. It is about connecting and building genuine relationships based on generosity and respect. It has become a JFP standby.

“Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter” by Liz Wiseman and Greg Mckeown (Harper­Business, 2010, $25.99)
A leadership philosophy that teaches you how to be a leader who inspires and cultivates your employees.

“Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose” by Tony Hsieh (Business Plus, 2010, $23.99)
Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos, shares how to create a positive corporate environment where employees are happy and productive.

“Rework” by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson (Crown Business, 2010, $22)
A handbook that offers a new approach to success in business. For example: Work less and have fewer meetings.

“Salsa, Soul, and Spirit: Leadership for a Multicultural Age” by Juana Bordas (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2007, $21.95)
This book explores principles for working within a multicultural society and diverse populations, taken from various traditions.

Mississippi native Donna Ladd and partner Todd Stauffer founded the Jackson Free Press in 2002 in the capital city. The heavily awarded local newspaper did many investigations heralded across the state and nation and served as a paper of record due to its diversity, inclusion, in-depth reporting and deep connection to readers and dedication to narrative change in and about Mississippi. In 2022, the nonprofit Mississippi Free Press, founded by Ladd and JFP Associate Publisher Kimberly Griffin in 2020, purchased the journalism assets and archives of the Jackson Free Press. A Google grant through AAN Publishers enabled Newspack's integration of the JFP archives into the Mississippi Free Press website to become part of a more searchable archive of recent Mississippi history and essential journalism.