Colin Kaepernick Is Learning How to Be a C.E.O.

Describe your ideal reading experience (when, where, what, how).

In the morning, on a lounge chair, with any book that is making me better. (Being a father to a 2-year-old means this ideal experience doesn’t happen!)

What books are on your night stand?

“High Growth Handbook,” by Elad Gil; “No Rules Rules,” by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer; “The Effective Executive,” by Peter F. Drucker; “Working Backwards,” by Colin Bryar and Bill Carr; “Shoe Dog,” by Phil Knight; “The Ride of a Lifetime,” by Bob Iger; “Good to Great,” by Jim Collins; “Good Strategy Bad Strategy,” by Richard Rumelt; “The Hard Thing About Hard Things,” by Ben Horowitz; “The Great C.E.O. Within,” by Matt Mochary.

Why so many business books?

As the founder of Lumi Story A.I., which was announced at the end of July, I am constantly working to advance my knowledge and learn from other brilliant minds on how I can build a successful and impactful company.

What have you learned from launching your own publishing company?

The difficulties that creators face while trying to bring their stories to life. The existing business models don’t allow for all creators to tell their stories.

What’s the last great book you read?

“High Growth Handbook.” The book is impactful because the information comes directly from industry leaders. It makes the book very relatable and applicable, which helps cut through the noise directly to solutions for a company.

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What kind of reader were you as a kid? Do any childhood books and authors stick with you most?

I was a reluctant reader because the books didn’t resonate with me. It wasn’t until I read “We’ll Never Forget You, Roberto Clemente,” by Trudie Engel, that I saw myself in a story, and that has stuck with me ever since.