We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amber Collins a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Amber , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

Experiencing The Pandemic was I believe terrifying to most of us. It was a time of chaos, uncertainty, and unrest politically, socially, economically and nurturing vital relationships. I became obsessively concerned about the souls of individuals near and far, and yearned for a means to help people heal and recover from the tragedies from the Pandemic and political atmosphere. The tragedy of George Floyd was a kind of catalyst that moved made me more aware that the time was Now if I was going to do something at all. To have faith and step out into the midst of the chaos, however I had no clarity of where my place in repairing the fabric of our society was. Where was my place assisting those persons that were already on the ground doing the rebuilding work. I remember reading a passage out of one of John Lewis’s book Carry On, he was a renown activist and a politican, and colleague of MLK in which he stated that in a movement it is necessary to know where one’s place is. I’m paraphrasing. So I sought the LORD, I prayed, how do I help? Where to begin? The Holy Spirit gave me the name of the store, and I began walking and stepping by faith. The Soul Book Nook where any and everyone would be welcome. I stepped into the space that was waiting on me, and the name just fit.

Amber , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I entered my business through a Call in which the business proceeded from my life experiences and passions such as being an avid reader since a young child. My love and passion for reading was passed down to me from my Mother who is also an author of a poetry book and an avid reader also. She was the first Black Woman that I saw with her own library in her house, Bookshelves and All. What sets me apart from others is that I am the first Registered Black Woman Owned bookstore for Iowa dating back to the 1900’s owned. I discovered this by doing the research and contacting the State Filings. Not saying that there were no smaller pop ups or home bookstores owned by Black individuals. Also I believe that I influenced or inspired others to step out into the pandemic and open and register there businesses. What I am proud of with humility though knowing that all the credit belongs to God is that I will be leaving a legacy to my children and the next generations to follow. This is so fundamental and important a legacy to the generations that follow us. The Soul Book Nook strives to demonstrate that against all odds, and lack of resources, that if you believe your called to it you can do it. All things are possible with God.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

In August of 2020 I was in the same boat as many families in America, I was unemployed. I previously worked in the behavioral and mental health field through a nonprofit I had founded that served youth 5 to 18 years of age, along with substituting for the local school district. These jobs ceased for me when COVID came on the scene in 2019. So I had very little to no initial capital in 2020. I did have a vehicle, a dream, and a few dollars to spare, So I bought a couple of new books at a time lol I started with around 4 books, I registered my business with the state, and self advertised my products, a family member was my first customer, and that was my initial capital and I worked in that manner for like a month until I had a deposit for a physical site.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Although I finally had the physical location I was still reinvesting the earnings into rent and utilities for both home and business, in addition to necessities for family and books for the store. However, I knew I had been called to this venture. I had no investors. At the end of 2021 my family eventually acquired COVID, and we had to move out of our home, so we had to give away most of our belongings, we were just too sick to take everything. This became a tremendous trial the effects trailed us into 2022 and for Indies January, February and March can be the slowest months. I still needed to operate the business such as deliveries, website, completing orders, shipping, and open hours, With only 1 other employee I truly desired to close the doors and quit. Yet, the Spirit within just kept telling me to Continue, stay open, don’t give up, don’t quit. So I haven’t given up. The epiphany came to me one day as I was driving past the store looking at the closed sign that I am Soul Book Nook whether the sign on the door for the day says closed or open. The Legacy that I am to pass to the next generation has already been sealed. That epiphany has helped me take each day in the store one day at a time, and relax in to it whether I get a sale or not, this bookstore was given to me as a gift and a means to provide literacy and inspiration.

Contact Info:

• Website: soulbooknook.com
• Instagram: soulbooknook
• Facebook: soulbooknook
• Youtube: bookwrangler

Image Credits
Photo taken by Amber Collins Founder of Soul Book Nook