Upcoming Retreat to Explore Critical Business Tools for New and Established Booksellers

This month, The Bookstore Training Group of Paz & Associates will present “Owning a Bookstore: The Business Essentials,” a workshop retreat designed to give prospective and experienced booksellers alike the skills they need to operate a sustainable bookstore business.

The retreat, to be held on Amelia Island, Florida, will kick off with an opening reception on Sunday, August 23, and continue through Friday, August 28. The workshop is co-sponsored by the American Booksellers Association.

“We’re 20 years in the business, and the business has changed,” said Darlene Krogol, who owns Another Look Books in Taylor, Michigan, and is eager to attend the upcoming workshop to bolster her many years of bookselling experience with new ideas and strategies. After learning about the workshop, Krogol noted, “I thought to myself, I can’t afford that. But how can we afford not to do it if we’re serious about wanting to be in business for another 20 years?”

Mark and Donna Paz Kaufman of the Bookstore Training Group of Paz & Associates will facilitate the workshop along with several other trainers, including an SBA loan administrator, an architect and bookstore designer, representatives from computer system vendors and wholesalers, and ABA staff, as well as both new and seasoned bookstore owners.

The bookstore boot camp will cover such topics as bookstore profitability, key elements of store design, inventory management, effective staff development, and more.

Workshop registrants will receive a copy of Paz & Associates’ workbook, Owning a Bookstore: The Essential Planning Guide (or will get full credit applied to their tuition if previously purchased). Provisional members of ABA are entitled to a $200 discount toward tuition. For the full schedule and additional information, visit PazBookBiz.com or call (904) 277-2664. Questions regarding the workshop should be e-mailed to [email protected].