The Challenges of starting my small bookshop

In my last blog post, I wrote about the very beginning of opening my bookshop. Today, I want to share some of the challenges I’ve been facing as a small, independent business just starting out.

The biggest challenge? Tiredness and lack of time. Since I haven’t been able to leave my office job just yet, I’ve had to juggle everything, and honestly, it can be exhausting. But the reason I can manage both is simple: I absolutely love what I do. From ordering books, hunting for new releases or pre loved wonders, and carefully packing each order to sending out parcels to my lovely customers—every part of this journey brings me joy. Because of that, it doesn’t feel like just a job; it feels like a passion I’m building into something real.

That being said, I know I need more time to grow this business properly. So, I’ve made a big decision—I’ve requested to reduce my hours at my office job so I can dedicate more time to planning, organizing, and advertising my shop. Of course, it’s a little scary—fewer hours means less financial security—but I truly believe this step will help me move forward. And sometimes, taking a leap of faith is the best way to grow.

Another challenge I’m facing is getting newly published books in stock on time. As a small, newly launched business, it’s impossible to order large quantities of titles at once. Since my traffic isn’t fully established yet, I have to carefully balance orders, making sure I manage cash flow wisely. Right now, it feels like putting together a puzzle, but I know it will get easier with time. After all, new beginnings are never supposed to be easy! 😊

And then, of course, there’s social media. In today’s world, having a strong social media presence is crucial for any business. It’s one of the best ways to connect with customers, share new arrivals, and build a book-loving community. But creating new posts, reels, and stories takes time, and with everything else I’m juggling, it’s been difficult to engage as much as I’d like to. I have so many ideas I want to share, and I know that with a little more time, I’ll be able to bring them to life.

So no, starting a business from scratch isn’t easy—it’s hard work, full of learning curves and trial-and-error moments. But I trust the process, and more importantly, I trust the love and passion I pour into this little bookshop. I already have the most amazing customers, and their support keeps me going.

I can’t wait to turn all my ideas into reality, and I know there will be many more challenges and obstacles along the way—but that’s okay. Because this shop makes me happy. It makes me feel whole. And that’s what truly matters.