This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Candace Walker, a 42-year-old small-business owner based in Atlanta. It’s been edited for length and clarity.
The concept for my business, The Vibrary, began at the start of the pandemic, during Zoom calls with my friends. We would share what books we were reading while enjoying a glass of wine. These calls gave us a much-needed reprieve from the stress of COVID and allowed us to connect on a deeper level.
I felt that if I could do this for myself and my friends over Zoom, then I could do it for others in person by building a community space.
I grew up near Stone Mountain Village in Atlanta, which is now a historic district, and remember going there as a child to get funnel cake. One day in 2020, I drove down Main Street, and while much had changed since I was a child and many businesses were closed, there were a lot of people walking around. A new brewery was packed. I noticed a vacant space and called a real estate agent to inquire about it.
Someone had already signed the lease, but less than a week later, they rescinded their offer. I decided to take a chance on my idea, and I paid a deposit for the space at the end of 2020. I currently manage the day-to-day operations of the business while working a full-time job as a director of a crime lab.
I had to be mindful of the other businesses in the area
There were already restaurants in the area, so I knew I wanted my business to focus on wine rather than offer a full menu. I also wanted to make sure The Vibrary was a good fit for what was already at the Village and with what I heard was coming. I decided to open it as a wine-and-book bar.
But starting my first business came with a lot of bumps and bruises, especially with pandemic-related supply chain disruptions.
I planned to soft open July 16, 2021, and was up against a tight timeline. I had to get permits, find someone to do electrical and plumbing work, and buy furniture and appliances. I purchased three dishwashers, and the orders either were lost or canceled.
However, we made it to our soft opening on July 16 and held the official grand-opening ribbon-cutting that August.
How I balance my 9-to-5 with my business
I launched this business knowing the first five years would require sacrifice, but a close-knit group of friends made it possible for me to manage both.
In the first two years of operating, my friends would come and run the place for a couple of hours while I took a nap. I learned to adjust to the schedule, allow people to assist me, and manage my time. This does mean sacrificing time with my family and friends.
I also decided to be open three days a week, which is manageable for me since I balance this with my full-time job. We do some events on Sundays, but generally I like to rest on that day. That allows me to recoup from the week from both jobs and then start back fresh the next week.
We made some pivots to keep the business healthy
In year five of operating my business, The Vibrary still fits my original vision to create a third space for people to connect without having to drive all the way to downtown Atlanta or Decatur.
There have been small changes. I quickly discovered books were not a large part of my sales and pivoted. Also, the Village is now an entertainment district. Which means that as a participating business, I can provide a sticker that lets patrons walk around with their wine, which is great because there are sometimes outdoor festivals and concerts.
This designation is helping to revitalize the area. Other new businesses are still popping up, and that’s a good sign. With more things to do, people’ll stay longer, spend more, and it’s overall good for the area.
I’m hoping to expand locations in the future
Right now, I just have to sacrifice time with friends and family to make this happen. There are also many sleepless nights.
The space is still growing. It’s recommended by the community for private events and local author book signings, which have been great to host. I’m focused on generating enough revenue to expand my staff, step away from day-to-day operations, and grow the business, including opening more locations.
Do you have a story to share about your small business? Contact this editor, Agnes Applegate, at [email protected].
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