Borrowing unofficial Peace Corp motto: "Toughest job you'll ever love"

In Jan 2019, One More Page Books celebrates its 8th Anniversary. The last few years, we have been so busy that we don't remember it until one of the staff or a customer says something. Busy is good, but sometimes exhausting.

Our lease expires in July 2010 so over 2019 we will explore what is next for OMP.  Do we stay or do we move? How do we continue to change and evolve in this very competitive space? How can we pay our amazing staff something they might be able to live on? Will I continue to downsize?  

The store, our incredible staff and the support from many of our customers and author friends make this the best job ever, but, it is hard...  I think you would hear the same from many small business owners.

I Am A Blog Cheater

Yes, that's pretty much true.  Much of what I post is straight information or reviews by friends. While I put my stamp on it, I don't put too much that's personal out there. 

A number of people have suggested I post about getting the store off the ground.  Before the store was open, I was too frustrated. The first year of the store, I was too crazed.  Now that we're moving into year 2, I'm still crazed, but know that it will continue that way for the foreseeable future, so here are some initial comments...

• Lost count of the number of people who've told me it's their dream to open a bookstore.
• Also lost count of the number of people (generally well-meaning) who wonder how a bookstore will make in the ebook/Amazon era.  (Please don't say this -- we're tired of hearing it)
• You meet the most amazing people in bookstores -- I've also lost count of how many people I've met that I so enjoy talking with -- who make me smile just by walking into the store.
• Humbled at least 10x a day when someone asks me about a book that I haven't read yet.
• Often in awe of my staff who are so friendly, knowledgeable and genuinely interested in people and books.
• Love listening to authors talk.
• Learned that Ron Charles is a rock star in our store.
• You will never have enough money or book stands.

Back home and let's get started!

You know you've got it bad when you get excited about discussions on inventory management systems. That's when I knew I was hopelessly hooked on the new bookstore.

After an intensive cram course on everything you need to open your bookstore, I'm ready to wrap up this business plan and GET SOME $$$$.

BTW, a bookstore perk - you make little money, but get LOTS of free books!

Amelia Island is a cute historic town with no chain anything that I could see. There were some awesome artists and I did buy 2 things before my bookstore poverty sets in.

I was particularly drawn back to a gallery on Ash Street with Carol Winner and Christina Long.

Dedicated or Delusional?

Starting a new business is this environment is not the smartest thing to do, but if you continue to persevere in trying to make it happen, does that make you dedicated or delusional?

I've been working on opening my own business - a bookstore- and am realizing how much I DON'T know and also how much $$ it will take. But instead of being worried, the more I get into it, the more excited I am. To be able to do something you've wanted to do for a long time - it feels wonderful.

Maybe I won't have my house or savings in a few years, but at least I'm giving it a shot (so this is where maybe I'm delusional or reckless). I'm doing it anyway.

What's it all about?

While Travel Dreams Books is about books and traveling (duh), it's also about dreaming of travels to places visited and places I'd love to see. It's about the dream of owning a bookstore that encourages and feeds the desire for travel and to learn about things that are different. To help us dream beyond the limitations of our day to day experiences.

Unfortunately, the bookstore piece of it seems further away as I read of more independent bookstores closing each month. Not only small ones, but often large independents with a steady clientele that have been neighborhood fixtures for years.

But isn't that what dreams are? Imagination, desire, aspiration, hope, wish (of course, they're also considered delusion, fantasy, hallucination and fiction). Only time will tell.