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