Balance is a myth. There's only what you're saying yes to today and what gets the no. Stef says yes to her kids, her cats, and the business. Everything else—the yard with vines, the water-filled pots—gets the no for now.

But something shifted this week. Writing crept back in. She woke up on Sunday and felt it: I need to write. So she committed to 15 minutes daily, and in just a few days, she cracked open the parenting book she's been working on for five years. The time spent not writing was productive—she reworked the entire structure. The book now focuses on the underlying factors that keep parents thriving or struggling, accessing resilience or not. It feels solid.

Meanwhile, she interviewed eight people this week (all qualified, all future hires for expansion). One hire landed: someone to list books on Biblio (not Amazon), a self-starter type A who's already performing.

The 2nd Location Decision: Two options, both complicated. Option 1: quieter strip mall, 700 square feet, 3-year lease, higher rent—but there's a wall that could divide space for a coffee shop sublease, lowering her effective rent to 75%. Option 2: busier strip mall, closer to Larkspur, stricter signage rules, easier to overlook. Both have trade-offs; both are cheaper than regular retail for a reason.

The Bulk Pick Up: A widow with 3-4 bookshelves "just has a couple hundred books." Spoiler: it's thousands. Stef's learned to probe before showing up. Today: packing and assessing at a 2-floor condo. Tomorrow: logistics oftpostpartm getting boxes out. Not really a day off, but when else would it happen?

The Nonprofit Partnership: Touring the Postpartum Support Center in San Rafael today to discuss a fundraising book sale. Maternal health, peer support, the Marin diaper bank—exactly what she's supported her whole career. Logistical questions remain about space, but it's happening.

Current Book Count: ~15,000+

Multiple calls coming in simultaneously. That's how you know something's working.

Follow along as The Phoenix Used Bookshop continues to rise—subscribe to A Bookshop of My Own and get updates at phoenixusedbookshop.com.

Links mentioned:

• Biblio book listings
• Postpartum Support Center San Rafael
• Submit a book request