What's It All About?

This is not my first attempt at today's post. Ok, so part of it was my lack of technical knowledge about blogging. But, the truth is, I'm glad the first draft is lost in a black hole. I've known what I wanted to say, but I don't really know how to say it. I know I am not the first person to have this problem.

Thursdays are going to be Bookstore Progress days. I will share with you my actual journey of building a bookstore, letting you in on my timelines and deadlines, but I wanted to start by acknowledging the foundation of a bookstore--the thing I am learning more each week.

It's all about the people.

I thought I would have this great idea, get some money behind it, and it would be open in a couple of months. But what I am learning is that a business not only takes time (oh so much slow time) and money (that I don't have), but it takes that proverbial village of people involved and enthusiastic about it. I would like to think that I have enough enthusiasm for the whole thing, but I know that is not true. I can't run a successful business by myself. And even if I did, what would it matter?

Because it is FOR people that I am developing this business. Getting good literature into the hands and minds of children, helping moms and grandmas choose quality picture books as the perfect gifts, guiding teachers to the very best real books and helping them develop literature-based lesson plans. If I'm doing it all for myself, it's really not worth all the time, money, and energy. But if I'm doing it for the people, well, then, everything will be worth it!

I've been thinking about this because of all of the people who have already helped me along the way. In my previous draft, I started to list them and tell you about each of their contributions, but that seemed a little contrived, if not boring. So let me just say I can't accomplish this wonderful dream I have without the cheering section of Norm, Laura, Janet, Lori, Lynda, Karen, Ina, Betty, and perhaps a hundred others who have been so encouraging to me. I have already utilized the counsel of Priscilla, Tootie, Cerise, Neil, Randy, Cheri, Tamara, the CSUF marketing club, and many online friends, including booksellers and other book consulting experts.

When Once Upon a Storybook opens, it will be because people have cared about me, and that's an awfully humbling thing. It will also be because I have decided that people matter, and I want to invest in my passion to help them.

Thank you, again, for joining me on my journey. Pin It