In the Capital Region, microbusinesses are a critical cog in the economic landscape. This business movement is the theme of a 2022 book entitled “Tiny Business, Big Money: Strategies for Creating a High Revenue Microbusiness.”

Today’s world of free enterprise has never been more robust. Yet startup activity in the U.S. is at a 40-year low, according to statistics derived from U.S. Census Bureau data. More businesses are dying off than being launched daily, indicative of a broken innovative economy.

Those recognized this month by Comstock’s as prominent women in leadership would likely attest to this. Each of them share one book that has impacted their professional thinking and life journey.

We reached out to some of the rising young professionals featured this month by Comstock’s to find out what one book has made a major difference in their personal or professional journey. Here is what they said:

Success in business often involves lacing up one’s shoes and hitting the ground running. In his memoir released earlier this year, Nike founder Phil Knight explores how his deep obsession with athletic footwear evolved into arguably the most highly-recognized sports brand in history.

As many will attest, the entrepreneurial journey is often a case of survival. It has been described as overwhelming, full of trial and error and harsh lessons. Despite all the hard work invested, the process, when improperly handled, can often impede one’s ability to succeed.

Blockchain Revolution delivers an informed look at the transformative influence of this technology on the evolving political, economic and social world order.

The mantra “doing well by doing good” has long been a rallying call for nonprofit endeavors. It also reflects the dominant theme of the book Good to Great and the Social Sector: A Monograph to Accompany Good to Great.

Like a prophet from on high, global futurist and author Dan Burrus’ has a rare knack for technology predictions that provide us with a blueprint for change in the business world. His book Flash Foresight challenges leaders to examine hidden trends, using them to shape the innovations of tomorrow versus allowing for aimless solutions that lack relevance.

Time, money and significance: These are the three desires that every entrepreneur strives for in a business. Unfortunately, most find themselves caught in the never-ending pursuit of money, squelching the essence of true business ownership and personal freedom. As a result, the enterprise never delivers time back for the things we enjoy doing or the opportunity to make a significant impact on the world around us.