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Entrepreneurship:  ~ Bookstore Dream~  |
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HeathersHeartfeltStitches
True Blue Farmgirl
440 Posts
Heather
Lancaster
OH
USA
440 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 12 2008 : 09:10:29 AM
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So on my "Bucket List" is to have my own used bookstore. There happens to be a store for rent in a small town across the way here. My DH says that as long as we cna pay rent and Elec. then he is behind me 100percent. I talked to my mom and she wasnt as excited as I am, kept asking about my plan for the kids, mind you one is in school all day and the other will be in Kindergarten next year and the little guy cna play with his cars all day long, I'm not worried about it.
Where did you Ladies go for info on Permits, Business plans and maybe small business loans?
Any words of Encouragement!
I'm not looking to get rich at the store, just enough to make the rent and Elec. and Have Fun!
My Etsy.com Storehttp://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5531954
http://heathersheartfeltstitches.blogspot.com/ |
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Love-in-a-Mist
True Blue Farmgirl
367 Posts
Shannon
Independence
Oregon
USA
367 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2008 : 09:57:14 AM
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Congratulations!! Look at the cities or your counties website for info on permits and you can do a search online for starting your own business. I think the first step would be a name and registering it, then figuring out if you want to be a sole proprietorship/general partnership or corporate and what kind of corporatship. There's different advantages and disadvantages to each of these. I'm sure you could find out what they are through an internet search.
Good Luck!
http://diaryofafarmerswife.blogspot.com/ |
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Sage
True Blue Farmgirl
207 Posts
Pam
Worland
Wyoming
USA
207 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2008 : 11:01:35 AM
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Wow! That's a Great Dream. I always thought a bookstore with a little expresso shop would be perfect. Contact your local economic development office or commission and the Chamber of Commerce. They should have lots of contacts for you including small business loan and grant information. Good luck.
www.heritagedesigns.etsy.com |
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HeathersHeartfeltStitches
True Blue Farmgirl
440 Posts
Heather
Lancaster
OH
USA
440 Posts |
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abbasgurl
True Blue Farmgirl
1262 Posts
Rhonda
USA
1262 Posts |
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blueroses
True Blue Farmgirl
1323 Posts
Debbie
in the Pandhandle of
Idaho
USA
1323 Posts |
Posted - Feb 13 2008 : 10:04:39 AM
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Heather,
We had a small bookstore/coffee shop open in our small city (approx. 6400) this past autumn. Most of the books are used (some are new) and she has a wide variety. She has really good coffee too, which is important to me and my friends. The whole town is really trying to support this venture. We are growing and changing but want small businesses to succeed here. Just go slow, do your research and make it a really pleasant place to spend time.
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolfe |
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HeathersHeartfeltStitches
True Blue Farmgirl
440 Posts
Heather
Lancaster
OH
USA
440 Posts |
Posted - Feb 13 2008 : 11:47:45 AM
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I'm getting prices for permits and have talked to the Chamber of Commerce head manager Connie that has a heads up on store fronts for rent here in town, I might sign a 6 months lease with a month to month after that, I should know if I'm swimming or sinking then.
Till everything is signed on the dotted line I'm gathering as many books as I can, I have put a notice out in Craiglist here and have already gotten 5 responses. I have space in my basement and a goal of opening by the end of this year, I know that it won't happen over night but I'm one step closer
My Etsy.com Storehttp://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5531954
http://heathersheartfeltstitches.blogspot.com/ |
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whosiesandwhatnots
Farmgirl in Training
34 Posts
becky
bountiful
utah
USA
34 Posts |
Posted - Mar 01 2008 : 4:13:48 PM
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| my brother and sister in law own a bookstore. They run off of "trade" I don't really get the rules. i just go and buy. But they would give people in store credit if they brought in paperbacks and then they could use that to purchase new books. They had prices on the hardbounds and such. At the end of each aisle they have a sign that says what is down that aisle. Easy to find things, and kid friendly. They have a little round table and miss-matched chairs around it. They also have a wood fence that is in the front windows ---around 5 feet tall--- to help with the west facing sunny windows and this might look a little cafeish for you too. They list books and sell them online with ABE books. they do well with that. They also have a large curio for older, more valuable books. Plus they sell little nick-nackety antiques. There are some decorating the top of the book shelves and in the display case. Makes the area a little more homey. I believe that they also do consignment for some items. Most of thier books though are brought in by buyers and traded for something else, or they just give them a price and buy them outright from them. ok that was kind of long. get the idea though? Fun stuff for You!!! Good luck--- Becky |
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EnchantedWoodsGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
959 Posts
Kathy
New Jersey
USA
959 Posts |
Posted - Mar 01 2008 : 11:24:57 PM
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Hi Heather - I have had an online used book business for many years. there are so many ways to acquire books at little or no cost to you. Curbside treasures are free and I have found many great books that were worth quite a bit of money. Don't overlook the Goodwill stores and thrift shops and yard sales.
If you start in a storefront, why not list your pricier books on Abebooks and then cross over to Alibris.com. I have done this for years and make out quite well.
Good luck in your venture. I adore books and can never have enough!
Kathy of the Enchanted Wood
Farmgirl Sister #59
http://enchantedwoodmusings.blogspot.com/
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PocketFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
119 Posts
Sarah
Utica
New York
119 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2008 : 2:41:57 PM
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| I'd look into programs for female business owners. A bookstore's on my Bucket list, too! |
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HeathersHeartfeltStitches
True Blue Farmgirl
440 Posts
Heather
Lancaster
OH
USA
440 Posts |
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Entrepreneurship: ~ Bookstore Dream~ |
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~ Bookstore Dream~
You are not an unreasonable distance from them, maybe 6 hours. I think you'd have to go pretty far to get that kind of "instant" inventory. Just thought it might help you get started.