Welcome to my page. You may address me as Malitzin. That is not my real name but should be sufficient for the time being. After 20 years of hospital based nursing at some of the most elite centers in California, I have left the profession that has given me security, stability, and joy. For this next chapter in my life, I plan to venture into entrepreneurialism. My first venture is something I have dreamed about for a long time. I plan to open an independent bookstore. The primary driver for this decision is building community.
The Covid pandemic has isolated us from one another to a degree that is unprecedented in modern times. For me this isolation was compounded by the fact that I was a commuter like over 40% of my community who drives over 40 minutes one way to work each day. As society began to emerge from the pandemic, I began to wonder why was I taking my talents to another city and not investing in my own community. These thoughts prompted me to seek out more community engagement. Quickly, I realized the opportunities for community engagement were terribly limited for our town of over 115,000. Much to my dismay, I noted there was not one single bookstore. In order to browse for books, I was forced to go to the next town over. According to the U.S. Census Bureau data, across the nation there is one bookstore for every 50,000 people. By this metric our town should have two.
Bookstores are more than just a place to browse for books (though I do love browsing for the perfect book). They can be spaces to show case local talent- artists, poets, authors. They can be places that children can develop their love of reading and establish important social skills by interacting with other children in the community at local story times. Teens can come and have a quiet place to study and tap in to free Wifi if necessary. Adults can come together for readings and find like minded individuals in the community. At least this is how I envision my bookstore to be. The ethos grounding my bookstore will be love. Love for my community and my neighbor.
Thank you for taking the time to read about me and what my goals are.
My Reflection 