287: Fall Reads: Five Game-Changing Books for Small Business Owners with Eric Rozenberg
Release Date: 09/09/2025
The Business of Meetings
Today, Eric is excited to welcome Megan Nolan, the founder of Vitality Wellness in Maui. With extensive experience in yoga, mental health, and wellbeing, Megan brings powerful tools to support small business owners and professionals within the meetings and events industry. About Megan Nolan Megan Nolan is a yoga teacher and personal trainer based in Maui. She combines movement, mindfulness, and strength training to help people improve their posture, energy, and mental focus. Beyond individual sessions, she specializes in bringing wellness into the conference and events industry...
info_outlineThe Business of Meetings
Today, Eric shares five standout books he read this summer. As a passionate reader of 25–30 books a year, he found these books particularly impactful for both business and life. The Last Lecture — Randy Pausch & Jeffrey Zaslow This moving and timeless book was written by computer science professor Randy Pausch, as his final lecture after getting a terminal diagnosis. It blends philosophy, practical wisdom, and personal stories, offering lessons on living with purpose, nurturing relationships, and leaving a legacy. It is a book to hold onto for life, and to pass on to the next...
info_outlineThe Business of Meetings
Today, we are delighted to welcome Marjie Hadad as our guest. Marjie is a PR expert who has spent the last 4 decades working in media and public relations in various countries. She currently assists private individuals and individual business owners. Marjie joins us today to share her insights and experience. Tune in to find out how to become more successful in your business and at home. Marjie’s Journey Marjie has spent 40 years in media and public relations, working as a reporter, anchor, and producer, and she even won an Emmy Award. She later became an agent in the...
info_outlineThe Business of Meetings
Now is a great time to reflect on both personal milestones and business goals! Planning your priorities now can set you up for a strong finish to this year and prepare you for a successful start to 2026. Transitions and Emotional Awareness When your children start school or college, it can be emotionally intense as it reminds you how quickly time passes. Embracing the emotions of those moments can help you process change while you focus on other areas of life. Planning Your Year-End Goals With roughly 85 working days left in the year, it is essential to define what you want to...
info_outlineThe Business of Meetings
We are delighted to welcome Kelly Knowlen, currently the Vice President of Sales Engagement and Special Events at Hilton, as our guest today. Kelly joins us today to share her career journey and talk about her work in the meetings and events industry. This episode will be of particular interest to event planners who own their businesses and want to increase their engagement, using events as a strategic tool for their organizations. Bio: Kelly Knowlen Kelly Knowlen is a dynamic leader in the global hospitality industry with over 30 years of experience at Hilton, where she...
info_outlineThe Business of Meetings
Today, Eric shares a recent coaching experience he had with an entrepreneur who was hesitant to grow her business because she was happy with her current setup and did not feel the need to expand. Stay tuned as Eric takes a closer look at whether or not that way of working is, in fact, sustainable. Growth Can Create Freedom Staying small might feel comfortable, but constantly jumping from one project to the next leaves little room for personal time or long-term progress. Growth allows business owners to step back from their daily tasks and invest their time where it truly...
info_outlineThe Business of Meetings
Have you ever felt that a client was not the right fit for you, yet you ignored your gut feeling and worked with them anyway? In this episode, Eric shares two examples of similar situations he experienced in his professional journey, explaining how he handled them and what he learned along the way. Trust Your Instincts It is essential to recognize when a potential client or project does not align with your values, standards, or business model. Ignoring your instincts when your gut tells you a client is not the right fit will likely lead to lots of frustration down the line. ...
info_outlineThe Business of Meetings
Life as an entrepreneur can often feel lonely. Being a solopreneur or small business owner in the meetings and events industry is a wonderful experience. However, with all the stress and challenges entrepreneurs face, they often find themselves alone, with no one to share their wins, doubts, and fears with. In this episode, Eric reads an excerpt from the book he is currently reading and shares some valuable tips to help entrepreneurs avoid loneliness. Digital Nomads Unlike traditional nomads who rely on each other, digital nomads often go it alone. In his book 4000 Weeks,...
info_outlineThe Business of Meetings
Technology is no longer just a helpful tool for running small businesses. It has become the lifeline for small business success. In this episode, Eric clarifies why technology is now non-negotiable when running a successful small business. Tune in to learn why, as a small business owner, you must either evolve and adapt or risk getting left behind. AI Blackmail An article on Entropic described a test scenario where AI named specific (fictional) people and made a blackmail demand. Even though the situation was fabricated for testing purposes, it highlighted the...
info_outlineThe Business of Meetings
Eric knows that taking three weeks off each year is a European concept, yet he believes that it is up to each entrepreneur to decide for themselves when and how they choose to switch off. In this episode, he explains that it is not just about the time you take off, but rather about being intentional with how you recharge. He also shares the playful out-of-office email message he set up during the three weeks he recently spent in North Carolina. Decide How You Disconnect As an entrepreneur, you get to choose how and when you disconnect. Some people prefer complete time off, while others...
info_outlineToday, Eric shares five standout books he read this summer. As a passionate reader of 25–30 books a year, he found these books particularly impactful for both business and life.
The Last Lecture — Randy Pausch & Jeffrey Zaslow
This moving and timeless book was written by computer science professor Randy Pausch, as his final lecture after getting a terminal diagnosis. It blends philosophy, practical wisdom, and personal stories, offering lessons on living with purpose, nurturing relationships, and leaving a legacy. It is a book to hold onto for life, and to pass on to the next generation.
Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals — Oliver Burkeman
Burkeman reframes time management by reminding us we only have about 4,000 weeks on earth. Instead of chasing endless productivity, he shows how to prioritize what truly matters. The book combines humor, philosophy, and practical tools for blocking, organizing, and auditing time. It is valuable for both business and personal life.
Living with a SEAL: 31 Days Training with the Toughest Man on the Planet — Jesse Itzler
In this book, entrepreneur Jesse Itzler recounts a month of intense training with a Navy SEAL. His experience is raw, funny, and motivating, pushing readers to go beyond excuses and embrace discipline, resilience, and grit. It is a high-energy reminder that we are capable of far more than we think.
Make Your Own Luck: Success Tactics You Won’t Learn in Business School — Peter Kash
Written by entrepreneur and venture capitalist Peter Kash, this book explores how to create luck by preparing, persevering, and being open to opportunity. Through vivid personal stories, he shows how readiness and mindset can transform challenges into breakthroughs. It is a guide to moving forward, even in uncertain times.
Fool Me Once: Scams, Stories, and Secrets from the Trillion-Dollar Fraud Industry — Kelly Richmond Pope
In this book, forensic accounting professor Kelly Richmond Pope reveals the hidden world of fraud, from small-town scandals to billion-dollar schemes. Drawing on her TED Talk and Netflix documentary All the Queen’s Horses, she highlights the risks of misplaced trust and the importance of vigilance in business. It is an eye-opening and essential read for entrepreneurs.
Connect with Eric Rozenberg
On LinkedIn
Listen to The Business of Meetings podcast
Subscribe to The Business of Meetings newsletter
Book links: