Shelf Made Stories

Amanda Badeau left her corporate job to pursue her childhood dream of opening a bookstore.  We chat with Amanda about trading her corporate ops director role for the green-walled, castle-like atmosphere of "The Archive" – her dark academia bookstore in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Amanda gets real about the ups and downs of making this childhood dream happen: the unexpected costs, per...

When everyone said bookstores couldn't survive, Jenny Kelley did the impossible - opening Bookish Boutique in just 25 days!  With pink couches, a wine bar, and custom "Smut University" merch, this Panama City store is defying the odds.  How is she thriving where major chains have failed?  Tune in to discover the secrets behind her success and why readers are flocking to this bookish...

When publishers wouldn't pay for her bookish content on Instagram (free books don't pay bills!), Hayley Solano got creative and built a literary empire that goes far beyond monthly discussions.  After growing her #bookstagram to 40,000 followers, Hayley launched The Enchanted Book Club. She took her love of books and turned it into this vibe where classic book lovers can connect, no matt...

Want to turn your overflowing bookshelves into a business? Join us for a chat with Renee Powers, Director of Partnerships and Publicity at PangoBooks, where book lovers are becoming entrepreneurs from their living rooms. She's spilling the details on how readers are transforming their personal libraries into profitable ventures, building community through books, and reshaping the way we think...

Have you ever dreamed of opening your own bookstore?  Pull up a chair as Amy Hall takes us behind the shelves of Hudson Valley Books for Humanity. She's getting real about the ups, downs, and creative hustle it takes to make an indie bookstore work today.  From turning her book-loving dream into a thriving community hub to finding smart ways to keep the lights on (spoiler: it's not just...