From Coder to CEO: 6 Must-Read Books for Developers Who Want to Build Businesses

Let’s be honest, if you’re a developer, you’re probably already an entrepreneur at heart.

You’re constantly building things: side projects, SaaS tools, weekend hacks that somehow turn into full-blown apps. And maybe, just maybe, you’ve caught yourself wondering:

"Could this actually be a real business?"

If that sounds like you, a maker with a developer's brain and an entrepreneur’s ambition, you’re in the right place. Writing clean code is one thing. Building something people will pay for? That’s a whole different skill set.

Luckily, Creative Tim recently rolled out a curated library of books specifically for people like us, devs who are ready to level up from builders to business owners.

Here’s a quick tour of six digital books, each packed with practical advice and extra tools to get you moving.

1. Turning Projects Into Companies: How to Set Up Your Business

So you’ve got a working product. Now what?

This 290+ page guide walks you through the real first steps of entrepreneurship, from writing a business plan that won’t make you cringe to officially launching something bigger than just a hobby.

Inside, you’ll learn:

• How to design a business plan you’ll actually use
• How to evolve your MVP into a real offering
• Bonus resources: videos lessons, audio guides, AI prompts, checklists, and a full tool stack

👉Get Free Preview: How to Set Up Your Business

2. Selling Like a Pro: How to Develop Your eCommerce Business

Shipping a product? Cool. Selling it? That’s where the real adventure begins.

Across 260+ pages, this book shows you how to set up your online store and actually drive sales, whether you’re selling physical products or digital downloads.

Perfect for devs who want to learn:

• How to build and run an online store
• How to navigate Shopify, Amazon, Etsy, and more
• Bonus resources: templates, audio, video, and actionable AI prompts

👉Get Free Preview: How to Develop Your eCommerce Business

3. Launch Day Secrets: How to Launch Your Product

You built it. Now, how do you make sure they come?

This 270+ page guide is your battle-tested launch checklist, helping you nail your first impression, drive demand, and set the right price from Day 1.

You'll discover:

• Smart pricing tactics that convert
• How to set up sales funnels that actually work
• Bonus resources: checklists, launch templates, videos, and more

👉Get Free Preview: How to Launch Your Product

4. Mastering the Art of Visibility: How to Promote Your Product

Spoiler alert: The best product doesn’t always win. The best-known one does.

If marketing feels cringey or overwhelming (especially for devs), this 550+ page book simplifies the essentials, turning visibility into a system you can actually manage.

Learn how to:

• Build visibility on social media the smart way
• Get the basics of SEO, SEM, and PPC without losing your mind
• Bonus resources: marketing templates, checklists, AI Prompt, Video, Audio Lessons, and more

👉Get Free Preview: How to Promote Your Product

5. Scaling Up Sustainably: How to Grow Your Business

Early traction is exciting. Sustained growth? That’s where things get real.

This 290+ page handbook focuses on scaling without burning out, blending automation, smart processes, and founder-friendly productivity hacks.

You’ll walk away knowing how to:

• Scale your business without losing your sanity
• Increase your revenue intelligently
• Bonus resources: include videos lessons, productivity checklists, and more

👉Get Free Preview: How to Grow Your Business

6. Leveling Up with AI: How to Use AI for Your Business

AI isn’t just buzz, it’s a legitimate edge.

This compact 100+ page guide teaches you how to weave AI into your workflows, boost your efficiency, and find new ways to grow.

This book will show you how to:

• Work smarter, not harder, with AI tools
• Drive revenue and boost your business intelligently
• Includes videos lessons, templates, and bonus checklists

👉Get Free Preview: How to Use AI for Your Business

👨‍💻 TL;DR: Build smarter, not harder.

If you’re serious about turning your passion projects into real businesses, these six books are a killer starting point. They come packed with actionable resources, not just theory, so you can start moving forward today.

👉See the full book serie here

You’re not just coding anymore. You’re building your future.