We recently connected with Dr. Viola Lanier and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Viola , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
I fell in love with reading as a child. I marveled at thrilling stories with fascinating and complex characters. Books took me all over the world without me leaving my bedroom. I learned about different cultures, societies, various fields of study, and more. Almost everything I wanted to know was in a book. As I got older, I depended on books even more for personal and professional development. Books helped me with my overall well-being as a person, at every stage of my life. I began to dream about creating a bookstore that would not only bring the wonder of reading to people, but also wellness.
In November of 2024, my bookstore dream came to fruition as I proudly opened A Better Today Books & Boutique. I’m the first African American woman to own a bookstore in Marietta, Georgia.
In a world that can be quite noisy and fast-paced, I wanted to encourage people to slow down and take a moment to just read. Read for entertainment, read for information, read for your overall wellness. Countless studies show the amazing benefits of reading. Sitting down with a book that interests you has the ability to relieve stress without medication.
A Better Today Books & Boutique is not just a bookstore, it’s a unique, serene, and whimsical space that encourages people to create more reading moments for themselves. Whether you’re a bookworm, someone who only reads on vacation, or even if you haven’t picked up a book since grade school, there is a place for you at my store. One of the best compliments I’ve received from customers is that they leave feeling inspired, informed, and relaxed just by what we have to offer them, the serene feeling that they get while in the bookstore, and the feeling of well-being that follows.
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 started my career as an educator. I loved teaching and fostering children at the elementary and middle school levels. From there, I earned a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from Morehouse School of Medicine and became a highly sought-after cancer researcher specializing in oncology. After seeing the life-ending and daily challenges of those living with cancer, I wanted to give back in a way outside of traditional medicine. Holistic wellness has always been a priority in my work, and I wanted to serve cancer patients and their loved ones in a psychosocial way. In 2017, I founded the nonprofit organization ‘Young Women Crush Cancer’ to provide social and emotional support and resources for women ages 18 to 49 whose lives have been interrupted by the disease. I’ve seen firsthand how cancer affects not just the body but also the spirit. My foundation has been a great source of comfort and community for our members.
A Better Today Books & Boutique is thoughtfully curated with titles and products that promote emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical well-being. From self-help books to culturally focused literature, my hope is that the store becomes a hub for personal growth and community connection.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Before I ever found the location for A Better Today Books & Boutique, I knew exactly how I wanted every inch to look and feel. However, weeks before the date of my grand opening, I had to come to terms with the fact that everything that I wanted may not be done on time. Thus, I relinquished the idea of having all of the items and design that I dreamt of. Also, during that time, my mother became extremely ill with cancer, and I had to put my dream of finally opening my bookstore on hold. This was a discouraging and emotional time for my family. As my mother began to feel miraculously better, I became determined to still open my bookstore during that same calendar year. For several weeks, I focused entirely on the care of my mother while working on the aspects of my business that could be done without being in the actual space itself. Fortunately, my mother became stable, and I was able to open my bookstore a few months after that challenging time.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
The book that has significantly impacted my management and entrepreneurial thinking is “No One Is Self-Made” by Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon. As a medical professional, wife, mother, and caretaker for my parents, I’m used to being the be-all and end-all for everyone and their needs. Through Dr. Hallmon’s book, I’ve learned to lean on others personally and professionally. Receiving collective support from other entrepreneurs has allowed me to create community and establish a village that will aid in the growth and support of my business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.abettertodaybook.store
- Instagram: @abettertodaybookstore
- Facebook: @abettertodaybookstore
Image Credits
Bob Mackey Photography