The Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis
- The name of the business is The Novel Neighbor, and its purpose is to be a place “where books, art and people meet” (tagline). The Novel Neighbor is an independent bookstore, collective of independent artisans, and a community meeting space.
- The vision for starting The Novel Neighbor stemmed from a desire to bring people back together and to fill a retail need that I perceived in the community. I wanted to create a space that merged books, local art, and community connection, as I missed the close-knit
community I experienced growing up. The vision was always ‘more than a bookstore’ as I wanted to curate a space for not only books and original gifts but a place for book-themed kid’s birthday parties/camps, educational classes, epic events and partnering
with other organizations throughout the region. - How being a woman affected your journey, such as choice of business niche, or barriers you may have encountered. This can be a positive or a negative.
My journey to owning a bookstore has been shaped by my passion for connecting with others and creating a welcoming space. I was raised in a small town in KY and as part of a family of 4 girls all of whom are entrepreneurial, a spirit of hospitality is infused in our make-up. I am privileged to have had strong women mentors lighting paths before me both in my 15 years in college administration and now as a business owner. At The Novel Neighbor, I’ve made it my mission to hire and empower women of all different backgrounds. Together, we proudly champion genres and titles that many indie bookstores have historically written off for being too “girly.” (All that is changing now and I’m so proud to be on the forefront of this shift.) Many customers now call the Novel Neighbor their ‘happy place’ and I’m so incredibly grateful people of all identities find it a welcoming and safe space.
Holland’s goals and dreams include:
- Continuing to connect good books, great authors and gather communities together not only through reading but also through in-person events.
- Expanding the work of The Noble Neighbor, our non-profit, to provide free books and author visits to under-resourced schools in the area.
- Consulting for those opening a bookstore or wanting to create a non-profit arm of their bookstore.
- To be a traveling bookstore owner, filling in other stores around the country when other owners need a break or sabbatical.
- Finish writing and publish my book.
- Starting a podcast (isn’t everyone?)
- Remaining a vital part of the St. Louis community, supporting local artists, and providing amazing opportunities & service.
- Advice for other women starting their own business:
- Focus on what gets your heart beating and what you know and like.
- Don’t be afraid to start without a detailed business plan. My original business plan was just one page.
- Be prepared to work hard and be present in your business, especially in the early stages.
- Prioritize creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for staff & customers.
- Embrace your unique strengths and find others with complementary skills and passions to work alongside you in collaboration.
- Find ways to offer personalized service and experiences that differentiate you from online competition.
- Support your local community by hiring locally, paying taxes, and donating to local causes.