Jana Eggers became Spreadshirt's global CEO in August 2007. She joined the company in 2006 to expand the North American subsidiary and help manage the global corporation. Spreadshirt is a leading online platform for creating, buying and selling "me-shirts," a wearable self-expression medium for people to voice their passions, wit and irreverence. At www.Spreadshirt.com, consumers can design their own products to purchase and/or sell. She has been recognized by the Mass High Tech's (Journal of New England Technology) Women to Watch Award and the Hendrix College Odyssey Medal for professional and leadership development.

Her three favorite books

Travels by Michael Crichton, an autobiographic account of his journey through medical school and subsequent travels. "Two reasons I like this book: It is a terrific example of someone changing what they thought they wanted to be based on new information (he hated med school!); and he makes you feel like you've been with him on his travels." Nuts!: Southwest Airlines' Crazy Recipe for Business and Personal Success by Kevin and Jackie Freiberg. "Herb Kelleher, the co-founder of Southwest Airlines, is my business hero." True to the title, this book explains the what and how in their success. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson is an inspiration. Like Kelleher, he overcame incredible odds to build one school and went on to build more than 50 more in dangerous, remote and anti-American reaches of Asia.

Her favorite genre

Biographies. "While I appreciate and enjoy fiction, I find people's lives much more fascinating."

The last book she gave as a gift

Iron Heart: The True Story of How I Came Back from the Dead by Brian Boyle. "I gave it as a thank-you gift to a cyclist friend who has been an inspiration. Boyle came back from a near fatal car wreck to complete an Ironman (triathlon) � and he did it with a great attitude. He's an inspiration."

The last book she received as a gift

"Coco: 10 World-Leading Masters Choose 100 Contemporary Chefs, which I have used. I am known as a good cook to our friends and colleagues, but I'm working regularly to improve and learn new techniques. I love a book like this because you get many different styles. I am one to read cookbooks."

What's in her briefcase

"Right now, contracts, Fast Company, Fortune and my Kindle. I'm reading two books on the Kindle: The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century (by George Friedman) and Confessions of a Public Speaker (by Scott Berkun). The new release Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison (by Piper Kerman) is next on my list."

Must-reads for her business?

"The best thing for your business is a diversity of sources of information. This is why I don't subscribe to many specific publications and prefer to pick up newspapers or magazines as I travel, or I find new information via Twitter or other online referrals."

When she reads

"On planes and trains and every night before bed. During the day, I take reading breaks."

Who taught her to love books?

"A college boyfriend. I grew up in a family in which activities were important, and reading wasn't considered an activity. I never hated reading; it just wasn't a passion. This boyfriend gave me books, which was great."