Today we’d like to introduce you to Carla Mayer.
Hi Carla, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
We opened our doors on Small Business Saturday 2023, so we just celebrated our second anniversary! I got the idea to open a bookstore a couple of years earlier, but it took a bit of time to identify just the right location. Many people, when I was looking for a spot, asked me why I didn’t consider another town, maybe something closer to the lake with more tourists. But I wanted, and still want, to have a bookstore here in order to contribute to my community more fully. I always only wanted to be in Buchanan. I think the storefront we have now is just right.
While much of this project that is the bookstore feels known and is a sort of full circle experience for me–I have in the past worked in bookstores, in publishing, in education and community development and arts administration–I have never owned a small business. The twists and surprises of that particular learning curve are still revealing themselves to me and continue to be a bit of a challenge, but, I think I can say, we’re making it.
Since opening, we not only have added homey decor and interesting inventory, we now host 5 book groups, a monthly open mic and a monthly author event, plus weekly family story time and occasional off-site events. I would say the thing that sets us apart is our curation and the environment we create. Both the books and the non-books, we call them sidelines in the industry, are often unexpected and make for joyful finds in our small town setting.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As I said, it was initially a challenge to find the right location with the right terms and conditions, somewhat boring but important stuff. Early on I was considering buying, but in the end, we lease here on Front Street.
I also don’t have any experience with the inventory and back-office processes I need for this job. When I worked in bookstores previously it was pre-barcode, if you can imagine. I get help when I can, but I still feel a bit like I’m flying blind. Which is not a great feeling when it’s your business and livelihood at stake.
That said, what has been extraordinarily smooth is the welcome and embrace of the town and the region. People are so happy we’re here and it inspires us to strive to exceed their needs and expectations.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
In addition to all the work experience I noted earlier, I am also a writer. I don’t get to be out front with that too often since it often feels like work work work in other ways. But I think it gives me a certain perspective on the ecosystem we’re a part of and what good writing, and language in general, can do for people. I think it also informs the choices I make as the buyer here at the store. I want customers to be delighted by new discoveries. We can’t compete with the pricing offered by the mall stores, so we don’t try. Instead, we make available something else: a depth of offering and a personalized experience.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Oh my, I am sure there are all those things just right out there beyond my fingertips. I need to access more of them… definitely not sure I’ve gotten to the point where I am doing my best. I do listen to Chani Nicolas’ weekly readings and I use Insight Timer for meditation as near-daily as I can. I’m embarrassed I don’t have a longer list.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.glendorabookshop.com
- Instagram: @glendorabookshopmi
- Facebook: @glendorabookshopmi
- Other: https://www.bookshop.org/shop/glendorabookshopMI
