In today’s interview, I’m chatting with Hannah Morgan, owner of Sugar and Spice Books, a romance bookstore in Boulder, Colorado. We talk about what it was really like opening a bookstore, starting a business without a huge startup budget, finding a commercial space, building systems, staying active on social media, and avoiding burnout while running a brick-and-mortar business.

If you have ever wondered how to open a bookstore, what it takes to run an indie bookstore, or how someone can build a business without a ton of money upfront, this conversation is full of honest insight and practical advice.

In this interview, we cover:

• how Hannah got started
• how she found her retail space
• opening a bookstore with limited startup funds
• the biggest learning curves of becoming a bookstore owner
• romance bookstore trends and how she chooses inventory
• the systems and POS tools she uses
• social media, creativity, and preventing burnout
• advice for future bookstore owners and first-time business owners

Be sure to support Sugar and Spice Books:

Website: https://www.sugarandspicebookscolorado.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sugarandspicebookscolorado

If you enjoyed this interview, subscribe to our podcast for more conversations with bookstore owners, authors, and people in the book industry.

Thinking about starting a business but not sure where to begin? In this video I walk through the real step-by-step process of how to start a business, from choosing a name to getting legal and setting up your basic systems.

I’ve started multiple businesses over the past few years, and this is the actual checklist I wish I had when I started. If you're launching a small business, side hustle, online shop, or creative brand, this beginner guide will help you understand the first steps.

In this video we cover:
• How to choose a business name
• How to check name availability and trademarks
• LLC basics
• How to get an EIN for your business
• Opening a business bank account
• Sales tax permits and local business licenses
• Basic bookkeeping from day one
• Business insurance
• The simple systems you should set up before launching

Whether you're starting a product-based business, online brand, creative business, or side hustle, these are the foundational steps most new entrepreneurs need to know.

Connect With Me
Personal Instagram
@kendallsuljic

The Vibrant Book Club
@thevibrantbookclub

Smuttastic Book Fair
@smuttasticbookfair

If you're a reader, entrepreneur, or someone building something creative, I'd love to connect with you.

**I am not a lawyer, accountant, or legal professional. I’m sharing information based on my personal experience starting and running multiple businesses. Laws and requirements vary by state, county, and industry, so please consult a business attorney or accountant and check your local regulations.**


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