Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kamaya Tarpley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Kamaya, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I am already an author, thus my undying love for books. Months ago, I received a “Blind Book” package where I received a mystery book and fresh baked cookies. The package made me feel so special. I wanted to be able to give that feeling to others and so Bundle Up Bookstore was born!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

At Bundle Up Bookstore, we sell new and used books individually or in an adorable package. I, of course, have 6 of my own recent releases on bundleupbooks.com as well.

I am most proud of creating an environment where customers can comfortably interact with me. I strive to create a welcoming environment; even if it is virtual.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I built my audience by just being myself. Sticking to what I thought was funny or helpful has kept me relatable and down to earth. I would advise everyone else to just be who you are. Market but don’t hesitate to show that personality.

Recently, I’ve been posting quite a bit on the current atrocities being committed in Palestine. Times like these, I am thankful for a larger social media presence, because the more we see Palestinian stories, the more we invoke empathy and a call for change.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I started my business by working a call center job. I am my only investor so it took working for a company to create my own. As an author, I was able to pay for conventions, marketing, and tours. Now as the owner of Bundle Up Bookstore, I have been able to get inventory and the site itself up and running.

Contact Info:

• Website: Bundleupbooks.com
• Instagram: @bundleupbooks / @kamayatarpley
• Twitter: @kamayatarpley
• Other: Tiktok: @kingkamaya or @bundleupbooks