Why am I passionate about this?

I was introduced to small business when I was six years old—my parents purchased a drug store to run (that drug store, after being sold forty years ago, is still in business). When I started my agency, there were few books on how to start, grow, and stay in business that didn’t tout traditional thinking. I think outside the triangle. I never thought I would be an author, and I am writing book #6! I write books today that I wish were available when I started my business journey: unique strategies coupled with actionable steps to grow. I hope these books provide inspiration and ideas!


I wrote

Weathering the Digital Storm

By Lisa Apolinski ,

Book cover of Weathering the Digital Storm

What is my book about?

Navigating digital marketing is like a climb with no summit: wherever you are, you still have 100 percent to go.…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of How to Close a Deal Like Warren Buffett

Lisa Apolinski Why I love this book

If you are looking to revolutionize how you close deals and to use techniques from one of the best in the business, this is the book for you.

This book helps you use strategies from Warren Buffet to negotiate like a pro and develop deals your mom would be proud of. I loved the use of storytelling in the book and the examples that are laid out for readers.

By Tom Searcy , Henry DeVries ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked How to Close a Deal Like Warren Buffett as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Silver Winner--Tops Sales World's Best Sales and Marketing Book

Revealed: the winning blueprint for making deals like The Oracle of Omaha

Warren Buffett didn't become the world's third wealthiest individual on his investing instincts alone. Buffett is a master dealmaker. In fact, one of his greatest single successes came when he closed multiple deals to own 100 percent of the Government Employees Insurance Company--also known as GEICO.

Highly successful dealmakers themselves, Tom Searcy and Henry DeVries have been studying Buffett's unique approach for many years. Now, they reveal the secrets of the Oracle of Omaha. How to Close a Deal…


Book cover of 10x Is Easier Than 2x

Lisa Apolinski Why I love this book

Sometimes we think too small when it comes to growing our business. This is one of two of Dan’s books that I have on this list, and I love Dan as a writer and storyteller.

I loved how he uses psychology to help business owners like me unlock potential growth and get over the fear of “getting too big”. This book also helped me to think about how I am approaching growth (incremental versus exponential) and how that is holding back my business.

By Dan Sullivan , Benjamin Hardy ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked 10x Is Easier Than 2x as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Expanding upon one of his high-level foundational teachings: Strategic Coach co-founder Dan Sullivan explains why achieving 10X growth is easier than going for 2X growth.

Dan Sullivan, the world's leading coach for highly successful entrepreneurs, wants you to know that achieving 10X growth is exponentially easier than striving for 2X growth. Most find this idea confusing at first because simply imagining 10X growth causes them to think they need to do 10X more work to achieve it. However, being a 10X entrepreneur is nothing like what most people think.

10X is not the outcome; it's a counterintuitive process you can…


Book cover of Living On Purpose: Five Deliberate Choices to Realize Fulfillment and Joy

Living On Purpose by Amy Wong,

Many people from all walks of life, even after many accomplishments and experiences, are often plagued by dissatisfaction, pervasive longing, and deep questioning. These feelings may make them wonder if they are living the life they were meant to lead.

Living on Purpose is the guidebook these people have been…

Book cover of 45 Master Characters

Lisa Apolinski Why I love this book

This is a non-business book that I use for storytelling and while it was primarily written for writers, business owners can easily use the information to create better stories for audiences.

I am always looking to craft strong narratives, and this book helps me to think beyond typical master characters to make them more compelling. I will admit it can get a bit dull in sections, but I keep going back to it as a character-guide.

By Victoria Lynn Schmidt ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked 45 Master Characters as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Create unforgettable characters your readers will love!

Want to make your characters and their stories more compelling, complex, and original than ever before? 45 Master Characters is here to help you explore the most common male and female archetypes--the mythic, cross-cultural models from which all characters originate.

   • Explore a wide variety of character profiles including heroes, villains, and supporting characters.
   • Learn how to use archetypes as foundations for your own unique characters
   • Examine the mythic journeys of heroes and heroines--the progression of events upon which each archetype's character arc develops--and learn how to use them to enhance…


Book cover of The Gap and The Gain: The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success

Lisa Apolinski Why I love this book

I had to add a second book that I refer to often to keep my mind focused on what I have accomplished instead of what I still want to do with my business.

I love this book as it helps me to reframe business growth (and setbacks) in a way to keep my energy and focus going. I also like the summaries in the back that I can refer to when I just want a reminder of technique to get back into the gain.

By Dan Sullivan , Benjamin Hardy ,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked The Gap and The Gain as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Dan Sullivan shares his simple yet profound teaching that, until now, has only been known to his Strategic Coach clients: unsuccessful people focus on 'The Gap', but successful people focus on 'The Gain'.

Most people, especially highly ambitious people, are unhappy because of how they measure their progress. We all have an 'ideal', a moving target that is always out of reach. When we measure ourselves against that ideal, we're in 'the GAP'. However, when we measure ourselves against our previous selves, we're in 'the GAIN'.

That is where The GAP and The GAIN concept comes in. It was developed…


Book cover of Flourish from Within: Moving Beyond Survival, Beyond Thriving, to Living Your Best Soul Life!

Flourish from Within: Moving Beyond Survival, Beyond Thriving, to Living Your Best Soul Life! by Ann Marie Hoff,

Flourish From Within is a practical self-help spiritual book with many exercises to learn how to use spiritual tools to make your life more purposeful, more magical, more alive!

It covers clearing old soul contracts, learning how to work with your angel and spirit guides, how to manifest correctly, how…

Book cover of The Most Amazing Marketing Book Ever

Lisa Apolinski Why I love this book

As the final book on my list, I refer to this book often, and you will, too. I wrote one of the chapters in the book, and the level of expertise in this book still shocks me!

This book helps me to do all things marketing, and provides specific actions that I can take as a business owner today to up my digital marketing game.

By Brian Piper , Mark W. Schaefer , Fiona Lucas

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Most Amazing Marketing Book Ever as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

35 marketing experts joined best-selling author, entrepreneur, and marketing strategist Mark Schaefer to write this practical guide for small business owners.. You’d love to spend less for better marketing results. . The challenge is knowing what will work.. With market conditions, your customer base, and marketing itself evolving, getting the maximum return on your marketing investment is a moving target.. Yet your business’s growth depends on your ability to adapt.. And with so many voices vying for attention, how do you stand out?. This guide answers the questions small business owners are asking to make smarter, more cost-effective marketing decisions..…


Explore my book 😀

Weathering the Digital Storm

By Lisa Apolinski ,

Book cover of Weathering the Digital Storm

What is my book about?

Navigating digital marketing is like a climb with no summit: wherever you are, you still have 100 percent to go. While challenging, this constant adaptation can transform your organization, building resilience and unlocking new opportunities for growth.

My book serves as a guide through constantly shifting landscapes in the digital revolution. Yesterday’s digital strategies will not overcome tomorrow’s challenges. It provides adaptable frameworks and approaches to not just survive but thrive amid rapid digital changes and technological transformations. Digital strategy is a process of evaluation and refinement. By embracing this mindset and utilizing the book’s tools, you will be positioned to capitalize on emerging technologies while being ready for future developments in the digital landscape.

Book cover of How to Close a Deal Like Warren Buffett
Book cover of 10x Is Easier Than 2x
Book cover of 45 Master Characters

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