March 17, 2002

I Have A Dream

No, this is nothing so eloquent and far-reaching as the Rev. ML King, but it is my big dream for my small world. It is only recently that I realized that I have a dream. Up until then, all I could manage was to try to cope day-to-day. Now that I have been confronted with protracted unemployment I have had to seriously look at my life and my future. Is this REALLY where I want to be? The answer has been a resounding NO.

What to do, what to do? I am a control freak. Well, maybe not a freak exactly but I will admit to feeling more than a little uncomfortable when my destiny and well-being is being controlled by someone else. The challenge (and goal) then is to find a way to be in control myself. With rare exceptions, the only real way to do this is to be self-employed. I have tossed this idea around without arriving any really practical ideas.

Then a couple of months ago my sister and I happened upon a bookstore. It is a small independent store residing in what used to be someones home. It has a large section devoted to re-cycling books. You can bring in books you have already read (if theyre in good condition) and receive credit towards your next purchase. There was a room dedicated to children, complete with a story area. One room had a fireplace with a large comfy chair. There were sections devoted to many different types of books none of them as plentifully stocked as your local Borders or Barnes & Noble, but still quite adequately covering the subject. It had a very friendly, homey feel.

I want a bookstore. I want to own and run a bookstore. But theres more. I am partial to woo-woo books. I love books on healing, non-traditional thinking, and spirituality. I love books that include dragons, wizards, sorcerers, goddesses and magick magickal thinking and magickal characters. My sister has been trained (and will soon be licensed) as a massage therapist and healer in various types of energy therapies. Now how about that for a marriage? A bookstore, which also houses facilities for massage and healing.

But theres more! (Doesnt that sound like an add for ginsu knives?) There will be plenty of comfy chairs for sitting in. There must be a room big enough to hold classes in. Classes in self-care through massage, healing, spiritual journeying, writing, meditation, publishing. oh the list is limited only by the imagination! In addition to classes, this room will be home to discussion groups and meetings. The room can have chairs or pillows or tables as needed.

There will be coffee or latte or tea or juice or water something to sip on while wandering through the stacks. There will be a deck and a garden to sit in on nice days. Fragrant candles. Plants (maybe silk plants, given my black thumb!) A home for all who wish to enjoy.

This, then, is my dream. Its only the first draft of the dream. So much needs to be ironed out not the least of which is where to get the $. I dont know where to start but I am going to find out. If anyone has any ideas, I would be grateful for input. This is very frightening for now I have put it down in writing. My wish is known. I have opened myself to ridicule. and to possibilities. Cross your fingers and wish me luck!

GO FOR IT . whats the worse that could happen ? go to a ” smal business ” class – local junior college usually offers them . internet – check ” govt loans ” . go to Ask.com ,ask about small business loans for women.

loved the whole concept . just be aware you will be limiting yrself to a select group unless i missed something . what i mean is maybe a section of latest best sellers and perhaps as an enticer a small magazine section or cards .

me again ! with the mags and cards come browsers , hopefully. as you can see i’ve had this dream . mine was a bookstore and tea room . had the ideal location etc . then the X pulled the rug from unde me . i never tried again , always dreamed and do regret it.

second person on od that i read that wants to open a bookstore. i’d go to it, i like those books.

Thank you for your notes. I have feeling that owning book store will end in the owner reading all day and night! I know I would and probably put a close sign on door so i could read in peace!And not on a bus. Alex

I’ve always wanted to open a bookstore/cafe. I saw one in San Diego once and it was really cool, had a little gift shop in it too. I don’t know if our town could host another bookstore, we aren’t real big and we already have 5. So I guess I’ll either have to move or think of something else. 🙂

Much MUCH much luck! I think the idea sounds wonderful. I’m no help except to give you my support from way over here, but that you have.

Perfect. May your gods help you along this delightful path. With warm blessings…T the U

GO for it hun carn’t hurt huh ? best of luck with it …cheers for ya note talk soon hun

great dream! go for it and thanks for your many beautiful notes. appreciate the thought and care!

lifeisuhmistury

March 19, 2002

ryn:I loved that shirt,thanks for the note!I also like your dream bookstore…sounds like a refuge in the storm of life to me!Check out your state’s loans for women’s businesses too.Sometimes they offer grants,even better than a loan. You’d be ministering to a lot of people and I like the idea of contributing to help make our world a better place.Would you have rocking chairs too?I love it!

Go for it, i’ll contribute my richard and kahlan books for the shelves just to get you started. 🙂 Of course i hear that there’s a little black unit screaming in a closet that would love to help run your inventory? or something? 🙂 *grin* Too bad i’m far away or it could have a place to store small people in the back while the big people read. 🙂

No! dreams are good and successfull people say the first part to achieving it is to write down your goals and do your research. (DrmDrgn)

g’luck … and BEST WISHES for success!!!

great ideas! The Gov’t gives loans to entepreneurs. At least that what I’ve heard….sometimes not required to pay back, too! Hope your dreams all come true.

cool dream.. i love bookstores, and could easily learn to enjoy a good massage 🙂

The great men of the USA like Rev King are gone. So sad…a beautiful person and electrifying orator. Dear V what is yet to come in my entries is fairly shocking …well at least to me and may seem like fiction which it is not. I just wrote all down as is my habit when I travel….Thank you for your notes…Alex

Sorry not dear V I meant S/Wolf! alex

*~*Lady Moon*~*

BEST WISHES and good and lightest Luck to you JIPPIE Keep fingers cross. ****

Luna

March 20, 2002

I would suggest being open to the idea of having a book store that also sells coffee and hosts massage therapists, psychics, and lectures … and that makes the bulk of its money from the coffee and beverage sales. Independent bookstores don’t succeed quite as much as independent coffee shops. You don’t have to change your focus, just be open to the alternate income possibilities. 🙂

Willy & Wilma

Anther diarist, Moonshinestar, had an idea for a candle shop and the need for capital to set it up. She went to the town bank with her plans and got a loan to set up the business. Last check it’s working out fine. It’s a big thing with banks to finance businesses they think will succeed. Get the plans down on paper with the kind of data that business people like & go after it. Good luck,Sunshin

this is a place that would sound like home to me, SW;)) GO FOR IT!!!

March 25, 2002

sounds just great..i thought about something like that once but didn’t get any further. can you start it in your own home? is there a possibility of having some online trading in the kinds of books you would like to have?

ermentrude

March 26, 2002

This reminds me of an amalgamation of places in Glasonbury, I don’t know how long it is since you were there but you could try to get in touch with some of the shop owners for advice. I love the sound of it and would love to be one of your customers 🙂