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How One Bookseller is Riding the Romantasy Wave
Manage episode 483852546 series 3651972
Come inside Flame & Fable, the charming new romantasy bookstore that's quickly becoming a community hub in Lakewood, Ohio.
Owner Nickie Lui opened her doors just over a month ago, but she's already outperforming her business projections and creating a space where strangers bring birthday gifts and book recommendations flow freely. But the journey wasn't always magical.
Nickie shares the moment she nervously pitched her bookstore idea to her dad while he fixed a closet door, and how that conversation sparked a nine-month journey from business plan to grand opening. You'll hear why banks weren't interested in funding her dream (despite her meticulous 31-page business plan), and the surprising way she ultimately made it happen anyway.
Nickie also reveals the behind-the-scenes reality, including an IKEA nightmare that required a last-minute U-Haul adventure to Pittsburgh for thousands of pounds of bookshelves just days before opening.
In a digital age, how does a physical bookstore with zero marketing budget build buzz? Nickie's clever social media strategy and four distinct book clubs might offer a blueprint for indie retail success.
Visit Flame and Fable at 13439 Detroit Ave. in Lakewood, OH 44107
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