The Work in Progress (Vol. 1 & 2)

Opening a used bookstore: Late April 2026—Three weeks to go. Stef creates pricing systems, curates shelves with intentionality, pushes the opening to May 13 (no more changes!), plans partnership events, and grapples with volunteer recruitment by reframing contribution as community mattering. (Apologies for car noise in both volumes—I'm recording between tasks!) Volume 1: With three weeks left, I'm deep in pricing strategy. I'm building a pricing matrix—a system I can use over and over, and any employee can understand. It's all trial and error. I'll learn and adjust as I go. I talk about shelving and curation choices—the intentionality behind what goes where. The nonfiction section is organized by theme, not type or age, which makes pricing more complicated than the rest of the store. Volume 2: POS update and the never-ending SKU-ing. I'm allowing myself to move the opening date once: from May 6 to May 13—and that's it. No looking back. Head down time. Marketing plans: Strategic partnerships via events and social media influencers are key. Here's what's happening: Sunday, May 3, 6-8 PM: Bedazzle Your Books with Sparkle with Amanda at Mystic Mill Valley! Space is limited. Bring a favorite book or browse a curated selection. Tickets just $5 thanks to co-sponsors Mystic and The Phoenix. RSVP here. Saturday, May 2, 1-4 PM: Reuse Alliance Repair Fair Book Swap in Mill Valley. I'm the book swap organizer—bring your books and swap them for free! More info here. I also talk about contingency plans if I don't get all the books SKU'd in time, and how hard it's been to get volunteers. I'm learning to hone my messaging around contribution and community mattering—how investing in your community helps you feel like you matter. That starts with contribution. Current Book Count: ~12,000+ (and counting down to opening day) Three weeks. Head down. Let's go.  🐦‍🔥 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: Bedazzle Your Books event Mill Valley Repair Fair Book Swap Phoenix En Plein Air book club survey