Amanda Badeau left her corporate job to pursue her childhood dream of opening a bookstore.

We chat with Amanda about trading her corporate ops director role for the green-walled, castle-like atmosphere of "The Archive" – her dark academia bookstore in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

Amanda gets real about the ups and downs of making this childhood dream happen: the unexpected costs, permit headaches, and why selecting books is way more stressful than she imagined.

While pink romance bookshops are having their moment, Amanda spotted a gap for something different and jumped in with both feet.

She shares how a chance conversation at dinner led to finding her perfect space, her unique approach to hiring staff, and all the creative ways she's planning to make this bookstore profitable.

Visit the Archive at 700 S Shelmore Blvd Unit 103, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

Follow The Archive on Instagram at @thearchivechs.