Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kristen Rochelle. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kristen, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
I’ve never been one who can easily fit into social circles. It’s something I struggled with during adolescence and early adulthood, wondering what is wrong with me that makes it so difficult to build deep connections. Of course, there is nothing “wrong”, I just needed to build my own table and invite people to sit WITH ME rather than always hoping I would be offered a seat at someone else’s.
I took something that I had the simplest form of love for- something that was strictly for my own enjoyment and no one else’s, and decided to find other people who share that love. The Lazy Daisy Bookshop was created and open for business less than 3 months later.
Not everyone in the room looks like me, but I didn’t create this business for everyone. I did it for myself and the select group of people that share my love of books. There is fierce loyalty both in the local small businesses of my area as well as the local and larger online book community. Staying true to my purpose has kept the seats at my table full.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
The dream of running a beautiful old bookstore that smells of ink and paper is one many share, myself included. I do not have the capital to start something like that. But I have my share of inspirational business mentors who have taught me “where there’s a will, there’s a way”, so I began researching alternative routes as a baby step.
I came across a few Facebook groups that introduced the idea of a mobile bookstore to me. I had never heard or thought of that because, as far as I was aware, my area of eastern NC had never had one.
It only took a week to find Daisy, my 1971 Sprite Caravan vintage camper. It was love at first sight. my husband and I outfitted her to be a bookshop, and I submersed myself into research. I had never worked book retail before, let alone run a business. But I walked in faith in this process. It was God’s guidance that brought me here and I knew He would see it through. I didn’t have a single doubt and that felt GOOD.
Once I got a handle on all the backend parts of a bookstore business, I was ready to open in less than two months.
When everything from start to finish falls into place so perfectly, it’s hard not to think “This is exactly what I was meant to do.” Not that it was easy.
Nothing about running The Lazy Daisy Bookshop is easy.
Books don’t stay on moving shelves easily. And they’re heavy. Every book in my standing inventory of 400 has to be packed and unpacked every day I open. The camper has to be organized like a Tetris game to make sure everything fits, doesn’t move during transit, and is balanced on the road. Daisy’s retro look comes with retro hardware- I had to learn how to use the hitch and jackstands.
And then of course there was the small issue that I had never pulled a trailer before, let alone a camper.
But I started this because I knew I could (and would have to) do 100% of the work myself, so I had to learn. My husband taught me well, and my anxiety while pulling Daisy has decreased from a solid 14 to a more comfortable 8. I’ve even gotten the hang of backing it.
Total setup time from start to Open takes about 1.5 hours, not including drive time.
Breakdown can take 45 mins to an hour.
I’ve only been open during the summer months so far. Did I mention I lived in eastern NC? Setting up is hot, grueling work. I’m now in the best shape of my post-baby life.
I am also a full-time REALTOR, so my schedule only allows to be open on the weekends.
But throughout all the tough stuff, the absolute best part has been meeting and interacting with people LIKE ME! I’ve had fantastic sales days and slower ones, but it doesn’t matter. It’s all worth it just to have a conversation or two every day about things I’ve read or want to read, what my customers read and enjoy, and all the places those two things intersect.
The end-goal is still a brick-and-mortar bookshop, either in Sneads Ferry or Jacksonville, North Carolina. Both of which are severely underserved in terms of independent bookstores. But it will take time to get there, so for now I am happy doing my part as the local book dealer with Daisy. I am considering crowdfunding in the future to reach that goal sooner, so be on the lookout for that!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
5 years ago I never would have dreamed of taking such a big risk. But without risk there’s no reward. Be willing to take the risk. Having faith in something no one else did was absolutely my saving grace . If I had stopped the first time someone was skeptical, my dream would have died on day 1.
Being able to analyze and recognize social trends is key to carrying a decent social media following. And applying those trends to your physical business as well- I learn SO much about what my demographic reads on Instagram.
Of course, I don’t have that all on lock-and-key yet, as it is a learning process. But it has definitely helped tremendously.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
The possibilities for expansion for a mobile bookshop are endless. I’m always looking for new events and locations to pop-up. I would love to set up permanent shelves at other local business as a consignor of sorts. I love building relationships and featuring local authors and am working towards hosting author events one day. I like to feature book-ish work and sidelines from local creators and makers.
And of course- I never stop searching for ways to get my brick-and-mortar. Perhaps I just haven’t made the right contact. All in good time and God’s plan.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thelazydaisybookshop.com
- Instagram: @thelazydaisybookshop
- Facebook: /thelazydaisybookshop
Image Credits
Losee Photography
