With many of our students commenting that ThePowerMBA’s 15-min daily lectures are “as addictive as watching a Netflix series” it got us thinking…what are the best tv shows for entrepreneurs?

And with all the countless hours we’ve spent snuggled in front of the box during quarantine, I don’t think we’ll ever be in a better position to answer that.

So, go prepare the popcorn as the show’s about to start! 🍿

Best TV Series For Entrepreneurs (Our Top 10)

Our handpicked list of top 10 entrepreneur TV shows comes after considerable debate around the office. Many worthy contenders had to be cast aside to ensure all our finalists offered insight into business, entrepreneurship, and marketing...as well as providing a bit of a laugh at the same time, of course. 😂

Silicon Valley

For learning: Entrepreneurship

Synopsis

This series tells the story of Richard Hendricks, a computer programmer who, along with his 4 budding partners, ventures into the heartland of US technology: Silicon Valley.

It’s incredibly entertaining watching how Richard, with his limited experience in business, handles their competitors, makes tough decisions within his company, searches for investors, and all the other obstacles a modern-day entrepreneur needs to overcome if their business is to become a success.

Insights from the show:

• Having a good idea by itself isn’t enough

• Your partners need complementary profiles

• Always have a partnership agreement

• Take care of your employees

• Be careful with who you decide to share your idea

• Always make sure to read before signing on the dotted line 😅
  Launch products that sell

• Be careful of growing too quickly

• Investment from 3rd parties can mean losing control of your business

• Focus on your strong points

Billions

For learning: Business and Finance

Synopsis

The series follows reputable New York prosecutor Chuck Rhoades is assigned the case of Bobby “Ax” Axelrod, a hedge fund manager implicated in a string of illegal activities surrounding alleged insider trading.

Axelrod’s influence in both high finance and on public opinion makes him seemingly untouchable, that is until he meets Mr. Rhoades.

Insights from the show:

• Role psychology place in finance

• Importance of reputation in business

• When it comes to investment, always follow a plan

• Get to know your competitors

• Always hire people more intelligent than yourself

• Information is power

• Try not to give a client the option to say “no”

• 
  

The Office

For learning: Human resources

Synopsis

This hit TV series follows the peculiar workers of the Dunder Mifflin company in a parody of American office culture.

Director Michael Scott “runs” the show, leading an ensemble cast that includes salesman Dwight Schrute, receptionist Pam Beesly, Stamford brand manager Jim Halpert, and of course the retired Stanley Hudson (unanimously voted our “office’s” favorite character).

Ultimately, the series is about everyday situations in an office, work environment, and relationships between coworkers.

Insights from the show:

• Always be yourself

• Enjoy your work

• Pursue your dreams

• It’s OK to work out of your comfort zone

• Believe in yourself

• Don’t be judgemental

• The importance of timing

House of Cards

For learning: Negotiation

Synopsis

This series tells the story of Francis Underwood, a Democratic Party politician whose goal is to reach the top seat at the Whitehouse.

During the series, you witness Underwood’s political maneuvering, manipulation, and meteoric rise to power (at any cost) accompanied always by his equally ambitious wife, Claire.

Insights from the show:

• Clients are more important than money at a start-up

• To focus on the things that are really important for your business

• Never stop trying new things

• Get to know your team well

• Information is power!

Mad Men

For learning: Publicity and marketing

Synopsis

The series talks about the publicist Draper Daniels, one of the main exponents of advertising in the 1960s in New York. He is the creative director and partner of Sterling & Cooper.

Despite his prestige, and the great amount of respect and admiration people have for him worldwide, Draper is portrayed as a manipulative womanizer coming to grips with the social changes of the 60s and 70s in the United States.

Insights from the show:

• Creativity is king

• A leader has to be loyal to their team

• The importance of building a close relationship with your team

• Personal life affects work

• To put yourselves in your customer’s shoes

• Creativity also comes from experience

• Understand your value proposition

• We create our own opportunities

The Sopranos

For learning: Business management

Synopsis

One of the all-time great series of our generation, The Sopranos documents the life of the biggest boss of the Italian mafia in New Jersey, as he struggles to manage a criminal organization while leading a normal life at home.

Tony Soprano is a true leader, not only show through his resilience as a mafia boss but also with his family. His day-to-day life is extortion, illegal traffic, bribery, and mob hits causing a series of uncontrolled anxiety attacks dealt with by his psychiatrist whose relationship, of course, is kept a secret.

Insights from the show:

• A good leader commands respect from their colleagues

• Charisma can be invaluable during negotiation

• Decisions shouldn’t be based purely on emotion

• A company’s values should be upheld at all costs

• Branding can be extremely influential

good leader

For learning: Finance and the economy

Synopsis

Marty Khan leads a group of business consultants who will literally stop at nothing if it meets getting a business deal done. The series looks at the moral boundaries broken in business, especially in the banking sector, where manipulation and corruption are rife.

The series also follows Khan’s ex-wife, Monica, who becomes one of his greatest business rivals as the seasons progress.

Insights from the show:

• Money’s important, but it’s certainly not everything

• Greed can be soul-destroying

• A company's founding principles should be upheld

• Be wary of people who “over promise” and fail to deliver

• Consultancy is a fiercely competitive sector

Game of Thrones

For learning: Leadership and strategy

Synopsis

Based on George R.R. Martin’s fantasy novel series A Song of Ice and Fire, Game of Thrones follows the power struggle for the throne of the Seven Kingdoms, set in a fictional world between powerful families with equally intriguing backgrounds.

As the families dispute, revenge, betrayal, and war between themselves, there is a mysterious threat from unknown beings north of the giant ice wall that threatens to destroy the Seven Kingdoms once and for all.

Insights from the show:

• Take advantage of your strengths and mitigate weaknesses

• Storytelling can be very powerful for your brand

• Good networking is critical, especially when starting your business

• Having a plan helps a business to stay focused

• How to create strategic alliances and partnerships

• Importance of studying your competition

• Lead your team by example

Halt and Catch Fire

For learning: Innovation

Synopsis

In the 1980s, a computer vendor, a systems engineer, and a software programmer built a revolutionary personal computer that is capable of competing with IBM, the industry leaders at the time.

This series shows the difficulties that arise from creating a product from scratch and how a founding team’s relationship changes as the project evolves.

Insights from the show:

• Problems often have more than one solution

• The importance of having a long-term vision

• You have to know how to sell your product

• Technical knowledge can be extremely advantageous

• When disaster strikes (and it will) remain calm!

• The importance of a healthy work-life balance

• Always assume responsibility as a leader

Suits

For learning: Legal and teamwork

Synopsis

A smart young man named Michael Ross is hired by one of New York’s most prestigious law firms, Harvey Specter, despite never having attended law school and lying on his CV.

The show follows the various cases Ross and Specter (a fellow associate) work on while trying to keep his secret hidden from everyone at the firm.

Insights from the show:

• Again, many solutions to a single problem

• The truth will always come out!

• Risks have to be taken if a business is to grow

• Your image is just as important as your talent

• Having thick skin is important especially in the initial stages of the business

What are your favorite TV shows for entrepreneurs?

I'd like to hear from you now.

Do you have any recommended TV shows for entrepreneurs to get stuck into? Is there a particular show that stands out that I've missed off this list?

Let me know in the comments!

p.s. if you like this, then I recommend you check out our list of top entrepreneur movies to watch this year.