The Reading List Behind "Go Public In Private"
Writing Go Public In Private wasn't done in isolation. Throughout the process of helping business owners transform their companies using public-company discipline, I've drawn inspiration and practical wisdom from several incredible books. Here are the resources that shaped my thinking—and that I recommend to any business owner serious about building real, transferable value.
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber
This is the foundational text for understanding the difference between working in your business versus working on it. Gerber's insight that most businesses fail because their owners remain technicians rather than entrepreneurs is transformative. If you're struggling to see your business as an asset rather than a job, this is where you start.
When I work with clients who are stuck in the day-to-day grind, unable to step back and build real systems, I point them to Gerber. His framework for building a business that works without you directly supports the discipline of treating your company like an investable asset. Your business should be a system that produces results, not a system that requires your constant presence to function.
The Prosperity Playbook by Mackey McNeill
McNeill gets it: you don't need complexity—you need clarity. Her practical guidance on keeping metrics simple, aligned with both operations and financials, and top of mind for your entire team is exactly what business owners need when they're drowning in data but starving for insight.
The best scorecards are the ones people actually use. McNeill shows you how to create metrics that matter, metrics that your entire team can rally around. When everyone from the C-suite to the front line speaks the same language, decision-making gets faster and more aligned.
The Fearless Organization by Amy Edmondson
Edmondson's research on psychological safety is essential for any leader trying to build a culture where mistakes become learning opportunities rather than reasons to hide. I've seen too many businesses where the real problems never surface because people are afraid to speak up.
The best organizations aren't those that never fail—they're the ones that learn fastest from their failures. Without psychological safety, your postmortems become blame sessions, and your team stops taking the risks necessary for growth. This book shows you how to create an environment where people bring problems forward instead of sweeping them under the rug.
The Founder's Dilemma by Noam Wasserman
Wasserman explores the brutal trade-offs founders face between control and wealth, particularly around funding decisions and partnership structures. You can be rich or you can be king, but it's hard to be both. Know which you're optimizing for before you take on capital or partners.
While the book focuses heavily on startups, the principles apply just as powerfully to mature companies making growth decisions. Every time you consider bringing on equity partners or strategic investors, you're making a choice that will fundamentally alter your business's trajectory. Wasserman helps you understand the real cost of those decisions—not just financially, but in terms of control, vision, and long-term autonomy.
Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
Guidara's philosophy about elevating hospitality beyond the expected transformed how I think about client service as a value driver. The stories from Eleven Madison Park aren't just about fancy restaurants—they're about creating moments that make people feel truly seen and cared for.
What struck me most is how these extraordinary experiences can be systematized without losing their magic. When you empower your team to go above and beyond, when you give them permission to create memorable moments for clients, you're not just building loyalty—you're building a competitive advantage that's nearly impossible to replicate.
The principle of "unreasonable hospitality" directly connects to business valuation. Companies like Zappos and Ritz-Carlton prove that exceptional service creates stickiness, and stickiness is a massive value driver. When clients wouldn't dream of going anywhere else, when your retention rates are two or three times higher than competitors, that shows up in your multiple. The way you serve and take care of clients isn't just good ethics—it's good business and a differentiator that buyers will pay a premium for.
Why These Books Matter
Each of these resources addresses a fundamental challenge business owners face:
- Identity shift (from operator to investor)
- Systems thinking (building processes that outlast you)
- Cultural transformation (creating psychological safety and accountability)
- Strategic decision-making (understanding trade-offs in funding and partnerships)
- Service as strategy (turning exceptional client care into a measurable key value driver)
If you're serious about building a business that works without you, that creates real wealth, and that leaves a legacy you're proud of, these books belong on your shelf—and in your team's hands.
What's Missing From Your Reading List?
The books above shaped Go Public In Private because they address the disciplines, mindsets, and systems that separate lifestyle businesses from truly valuable, transferable enterprises. But here's the truth: reading alone won't transform your business. Implementation will.
What books have transformed how you think about your business? I'd love to hear what's on your reading list. Connect with me and share your recommendations.
