The First Day (Vol. 1 & 2)

Volume 1 — Before Opening: The anticipation is real. Will kids like it? How will people respond? How will they interact with the engagement pieces I've built into the space—the typewriter, the magnet wall, the reading nooks? I also talk about staying the course with the podcast. The diary style is working, and I want to keep it—but maybe I'll open up to author interviews or even kids' interviews as the store grows. The podcast is part of building the business, not separate from it. Volume 2 — Day Two Open: I talk about my road to retail—years of looking at storefronts, wondering why I was so fascinated, never knowing what I would sell. And now, after all this time, it just clicks: it was always books. Everything makes sense now. And here's what surprised me most: I've woken up excited to go to work every single day this week. I haven't felt this way since I started my master's program. That's my top VIA character strength—love of learning—in action. Current Book Count: ~13,000 The first day is done. The first Phoenix is open.  Follow along as The Phoenix Used Bookshop continues to rise—subscribe to A Bookshop of My Own and get updates at phoenixusedbookshop.com. Links mentioned: World Happiness Report Parenting with Gratitude (Stef's other biz: a blog) Phoenix En Plein Air outdoor book club survey