First Friday Success Story: Paper Garden Used Books

June 1, 2018

 

 

 

This is an ongoing installment of First Friday Success Stories. On the first Friday of every month, we will feature an area business that has worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) counselor housed at the AAEDC office in Annapolis. The SBDC counselor is on hand to assist local entrepreneurs and small to mid-size businesses.

Client Name/Owner: Doris Smith
Type of Business: Book Store
Name of Business: Paper Garden Used Books 
SBDC Counselor: Candace Pruett
Website: http://www.papergardenusedbooks.com/

Paper Garden Used Books is a family owned and managed online used bookstore by Doris and Steve Smith and their son Jacob. It started as an idea in 2014 when Doris was talking with a family member about books. It was mentioned that “new books and e-books are expensive especially for those on a budget. Books that you can hold and feel will never go out of style”. Doris and Steve used that idea with Jacob’s love of books to create Paper Garden Used Books, “Where futures are grown from the books of your past“.

Paper Garden Used Books was officially established in 2017 after their only son, Jacob, graduated from school. He has been impacted by autistic behavior, expressive and receptive speech delay, anxiety, sensory processing disorder and immune dysregulation since age 3. College was not an option for him and his anxiety, coupled with resulting behavior, didn’t allow a placement in a typical daytime program. He needs to be gainfully and purposely employed but that’s difficult when employment opportunities are extremely uncommon for special needs adults. Creative employment solutions became necessary. Your purchases will support his employment and help Jacob towards his independence goal. While Jacob has gotten older and taller, his love of all kinds of books has never changed.

Jacob has been able to grow intellectually and independently through the work at Paper Garden Used Book Store as he updates inventory on a daily basis, fulfills orders, and is able to enjoy reading and sharing books with others. The vision for the company is to eventually expand and employ other individuals with special needs to provide a safe and fun environment.

Doris began to meet with the SBDC to ensure all steps had been taken place before the launch. Candace Pruett, the SBDC Business Consultant, was able to assist with the licensing needed and discussed ideas on how to expand the online presence of the bookstore by selling not only through the website, but also as a store on Amazon. The company is still meeting with the SBDC on a quarterly basis for business support on their marketing tactics. Keep an eye out for Jacob’s weekly pick coming soon!

Paper Garden Used Books is a member of the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association and the American Booksellers Association. If you are interested in learning more, please visit their website at: http://www.papergardenusedbooks.com/.

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