We were lucky to catch up with Tara Grotzke recently and have shared our conversation below.
Tara, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I think on some level, we all still have imposter syndrome. That is especially true when you take a risk and try something new that you have no experience in. When Meghan and I decided to open The Bookhouse, neither of us had ever run a business, nor did we have any retail experience to speak of. We also decided to add a bar that offered a full coffee menu, beer, and wine. We had absolutely no idea how to even start. We are consumers and enthusiasts of books, coffee, beer/wine, but as far as running a business, all we had was the idea. We knew the kind of place we wanted to spend time and we had to figure out how to create it. We started by just asking questions. I mean asking ALL the questions. We asked people much smarter than us and with a lot more experience, and we tried to remain teachable. We clunkily worked our way through figuring out how to stock our store, got training for the coffee bar, and when it came to opening day, I remember that we said to each other that we thought we may have “faked it till we made it” a little too hard. We were terrified and definitely dealt with imposter syndrome. But now we are almost two years in, and The Bookhouse is thriving. We have a vibrant community and a loyal customer base. I think the answer to “overcoming” imposter syndrome was just to keep pushing and putting one foot in front of the other, and then looking back. We can now look around us at what we have created and feel affirmed that we are actually doing it. We are living our dream.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
We are first and foremost a bookstore, but we are more than that. I would love to say that we have super unique inventory, but honestly, most of the things on our shelves you could find in another cute independent bookstore. And while our coffee beans are fantastic and truly do make the best cup of coffee, there are other shops in town that use their beans as well. I think what really sets us apart is our atmosphere, and I think that is what is most special about The Bookhouse. The goal is for people to come in and feel at home. We are a multi-use space in the sense that we are not only retail, but you can come here for an open mic night, poetry slam, live music, children’s story time, or you can come to just meet up with friends or work. We have held wine tastings, clue game nights, etc. We are always looking for ways to bring the community together and to serve our community.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
If I had to choose three, I would say persistence, resilience, and relationship building have been the most impactful in our journey. We would not be where we are without the people around us. We have built strong relationships with the community and partnered with other small businesses, truly engaging with and getting to know our regulars, and even our vendors. We have also had to exercise persistence and resilience because not every season has been easy. We have learned a lot, but that also means that we have had many opportunities to learn and grow through. I would say that if you have a vision that you truly believe in, you should stay the course and persevere. It takes time for things to catch on or to see if they are truly working. Also, do not take for granted the people around you.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
My parents always pushed us to do our best. I don’t think they ever had unrealistic expectations of us, but they knew how to encourage us in our strengths and encourage us to learn in our weaknesses. They taught us not to give up and to problem solve, and they were also honest that things worth having were often difficult but rewarding. By not sheltering us too much, but also acting as a safety net, we had the courage to step forward and try new things, knowing that someone always had our backs.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thebookhousews.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookhousews/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebookhousews
Image Credits
Hayley Wick Photo https://bio.site/hayleywickphoto
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