We recently connected with Natalie Wilding and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalie , thanks for joining us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

As a business owner, I can honestly say I’m happier now than I ever was in a traditional job. But I would be lying if I said I never think about what it might be like to have a “regular” job, where there’s a set schedule, clear expectations, and fewer unknowns. In a traditional job, there’s a roadmap. You have someone telling you what to do, guiding you through challenges, and giving you a sense of security. But when you own your own business, there are so many unknowns—whether you’ll make a sale, how much you’ll earn, and when a problem arises, there’s no one but you to fix it. You’re the one shouldering everything, from solving issues to motivating yourself to get up every day and put in the work. No one is there telling you to do it.

One of the last times I found myself contemplating what life would be like with a regular job was during a particularly overwhelming month. I was managing the logistics for multiple book club chapters, finalizing details for an upcoming Book Bound Ball, and juggling everything from vendor coordination to community management. It felt extremely overwhelming, and as I sat at my desk with a dozen tabs open, my to-do list growing longer, and emails piling up, I imagined what it would be like to clock in, clock out, and leave the work behind—an enticing thought in the moment.

But as I sat there, I remembered why I started Book Bound in the first place. The vision I had was to bring book lovers together, create immersive experiences, and build a community that would make people feel like they truly belong. And while there’s no denying the hard work, stress, and uncertainty that comes with running a business, there’s also a freedom that a regular job can’t offer. I set my own schedule. I get to work on something I’m deeply passionate about every day. And in my case, I have the incredible privilege of seeing our guests firsthand enjoy the experiences I’ve poured my sweat, tears, heart, and soul into. Watching them light up at a Book Bound event makes every sleepless night and moment of doubt completely worth it.

Yes, the unknowns are daunting, and there are times when I wonder what life would be like with more structure and predictability. But in the end, the freedom, passion, and joy that come from seeing people connect through the worlds I’ve built remind me that this is where I’m meant to be. Running Book Bound isn’t easy, but it’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Natalie, the founder of Book Bound, and my journey into this industry started with a simple love for books and a passion for creating a space for book lovers to connect and experience the magic of their favorite stories come to life. A few years ago, my best friend and I started a book club to stay connected after she moved to the East Coast. We began reading the ACOTAR series, which was blowing up on TikTok at the time, and it reignited our love for reading. That book club became more than just a way for us to bond—it sparked the idea for something much bigger. I wanted to recreate that magic for other people, and that’s where the concept for Book Bound was born.

Book Bound specializes in creating immersive, themed events, where attendees can step into the worlds of their favorite books. We host large-scale themed events like the Book Bound Balls, which are immersive, live-action role-playing experiences where guests can dress up, participate in interactive storytelling, and connect with fellow book lovers. We also offer monthly virtual book discussions, exclusive membership perks like book basket exchanges, and in-person state book club chapters across the U.S. Our goal is to bridge the gap between the pages of a book and real life, providing an opportunity for fans to experience their favorite stories in a completely new way.

What sets Book Bound apart is the emphasis on community and connection. Whether it’s through our online book club with over 550 members or our in-person events, we create spaces where people can come together to bond over their love of reading. I wanted to build something that wasn’t just a one-off experience but an entire community where members can build friendships, share their passions, and feel a sense of belonging. Most people are searching for a community and sense of belonging, centered around their hobbies and interests. At Book Bound, we offer them that place, where they can connect with others who share their love for reading—both online and in their local areas.

I’m most proud of the fact that Book Bound has grown into something much bigger than I ever imagined. We now have 25 book club chapters in different cities across the U.S., and our community continues to grow. I started this business on my own, with no guarantees of success, relying on creativity and determination to push through the inevitable challenges of running a business. The success we’ve seen is a direct result of the passion and love I have for this community and the immersive experiences we create.

If there’s one thing I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know about Book Bound, it’s that we’re all about bringing people together. Whether you’re attending one of our immersive balls, joining an in-person chapter meeting, or connecting with others in our online book club, you’re entering a community that is supportive, passionate, and excited about the world of books. It’s not just about throwing events—it’s about creating experiences that make people feel like they’re part of something magical. We want to bring the joy of reading into real life and give our guests memories they’ll treasure forever.

At the heart of it all, Book Bound is for the people who dream of stepping into the pages of their favorite stories—and we’re here to make that dream a reality.

How did you build your audience on social media?

When I first began posting about Book Bound, I had little experience with social media marketing beyond simply being a consumer of content. I was stepping into unknown territory, but I was determined to create something that felt authentic, engaging, and a true reflection of what guests could expect from our events. To my surprise, my early efforts resonated, and I sold out my first event. That initial success showed me the potential of social media, but it was after that first event when things really took off.

Once I had real footage to share, the magic of Book Bound became tangible for people. Viewers could see the enchanting, immersive experiences that we offered, and that’s when my content began to really engage a broader audience. It wasn’t just a concept anymore—it was a dream they could step into, and that captivated people. Over time, by staying consistent and refining my approach, I’ve grown a community of hundreds of thousands of followers, which has been instrumental in shaping Book Bound into what it is today.

For anyone looking to grow their social media presence, here are a few pieces of advice I’d offer:

1. Be Authentic: Authenticity is everything. Share your personal journey, your passion, and what makes your business truly unique. People connect with realness more than a perfectly curated feed. Share both your successes and your challenges—it helps people relate to you on a deeper level.

2. Engage Consistently: Posting content is just one part of the equation. It’s crucial to engage with your audience. Take the time to respond to comments, ask questions, and become active in communities relevant to your niche. When people see that you’re approachable and genuinely interested in building connections, they are more likely to stay engaged with you.

3. Leverage Hashtags and Trends: Especially in niche communities like BookTok, the right hashtags can make a huge difference in getting your content seen. Stay in touch with what’s trending, but make sure to incorporate trends in a way that feels true to your brand and its message.

4. Encourage User-Generated Content: One of the best ways to build community is to invite your audience to share their own experiences with your brand. Whether it’s posting photos of your product or event, leaving reviews, or starting a hashtag, getting your audience involved creates a sense of connection and trust.

5. Be Patient and Persistent: Building a loyal audience takes time. There will be periods of slow growth or times when things feel stagnant, but persistence pays off. Keep showing up, be consistent, and trust that your audience will find you as long as you stay true to your message.

For me, social media has been a vital tool in growing the Book Bound community. It’s allowed me to reach people who might never have found us otherwise, and it’s created a space where we can connect over our shared love for books and immersive experiences. That sense of community has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey, and I believe it’s what has helped Book Bound flourish.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Funding the initial capital for my business myself was a journey that I feel very fortunate to have been able to take. I was lucky enough to attend college on a full academic scholarship, which allowed me to graduate debt-free. This gave me a unique advantage—I didn’t have student loans hanging over me, so I was able to save money for several years post college, while I figured out what I truly wanted to do with my life.

Over the next five years, I steadily saved a lump sum, not knowing that soon I’d be using it to fund my dream and passion. When I finally realized that passion was Book Bound, I was fortunate enough to have the financial foundation to make it a reality. With that money, I was able to cover the necessary back-end costs of starting a business, secure deposits for venues, and handle all the initial expenses required to launch my first event.

Of course, there were no guarantees. I didn’t know for sure if people would buy tickets or if the event would sell out. But I had faith in my ability to solve problems, create an unforgettable experience, and tap into the desire I believed existed in other readers for the kind of immersive events I was offering. I trusted that fellow book lovers, who longed to step into the magic of their favorite stories, would be drawn to what I was creating with Book Bound. Thankfully, that belief has paid off, and it’s been the driving force behind our growth ever since.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bookboundevents.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookboundevents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookboundevents

Image Credits

Photo Credit: Wyatt Larsen, EJ Pelera, Little Fox Photography