We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Genevieve West. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Genevieve below.

Genevieve, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

As owning my own bookshop became a possibility. The dream solidified and mental plans formed. I started talking about when I retire I’m going to open a bookstore. The more I talked about it, the more books seemed to come into my life. A few years ago my mentor died. He had been a collector and seller of rare and collectable books. He had an amazing inventory and no family member who wanted to carry on the legacy, so I bought the inventory.
A couple of years ago I found myself moving to Texas for work. My husband loves projects and he happened to find this building, that was perfect. It had been a movie theatre at one point and was now about to be condemned. He thought it would be the perfect spot, on the town square, in this idyllic, small town. Now he had a project that gave him enjoyment, brought more life back to the town and eventually would house my store. Building the store became a family project. My husband, my son and I spent all of our spare time here being masons, carpenters, fabricators and painters. Eventually the space was transformed into a safe haven for my books and the bookstore was born. It was a labor of love, and thankfully fate led us to Canton. The perfect spot to transform my dream into reality.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Tell about yourself, how you got into your book business ?

My grandparents taught their children and grand children that books are special. They can open a mind and awaken imagination. Books should be respected, read and valued. My grandparents, my aunts, uncles and mother all have had more books than space, I think my love of books is in my DNA. I grew up going to the library almost daily and bookstores were almost like amusement park attractions for my family. To this day, even with my own store now, I can’t pass a bookstore without going in and seeing and buying. My mother and aunt used to talk about open a bookstore, their vision was a little different than mine, but maybe that’s when the seed was planted.

I actually started with building my own personal library. My love of rare, unique books led me to study under a Master Bookseller. Under his tutelage I slowly started working with individuals who wanted to create their own personal libraries with specific books. This led me further down the path to finding rare and topic specific books.

What are the main things you want potential clients/followers/fans to know about your bookstore?

Magical. From the moment people enter A Wicked Read I hope they feel welcomed and the same sense of wonder they feel when opening their favorite book. The sense of being transported into a story, a far off land, or an intimate visit with your favorite author. The magic of picking up a biography and meeting a world influencer or learning how to plant the perfect garden, build a dam or fly a kite. Customers can expect respect, acceptance, and a safe haven to explore and embrace their dreams through books. I love when customers walk in and are captured by the WOW. On their way out, I hope they are planning their next visit and telling their friends and family about our store. It’s a boutique bookshop. It’s special. Our customers are special. They can expect to be treated as though they are special and a member of A Wicked Read’s inner circle.

We do want to be the community’s bookstore, so special requests are welcomed. Everything from specific authors and genres to special events like book clubs, and book signings and even related merchandise.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Book by Michael E. Gerber The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It

Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?

We spilt the retail space in half & rent the other half to another small business which helps offset the cost of overhead. We are listing books on-line with Biblio. We started out a used bookstore now we offer new books & bookish items like bookmark, journals, pencils,, stickers, & keychains,. I also made by local artisan book earrings. We have our own signature candle, —scent of leather bound books created by April at Mad Wax Co. (another local business in Canton)

Contact Info:

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