Starting a dream

Donna,

Try the Small Business Administration website.

Here's another website that might help: Woman Owned

Good luck!

I am sorry ..i am from india so i cannot give you any advice as i dont know much about USA programms and loans stuffs..

Donna, those are two good options Chris mentions. Wishing you all the best in your endeavors!!!

I don't know of any resources either, but best of luck in following your dreams and reaching your goals.

I encourage you to follow every lead you see and to chase your dreams until they become realities.

As you go down that road, I hope you will pay a little more attention to your writing. You made (and left) several spelling errors, (including the word writer), used extra words that could have been cut, and published what looks like a first draft. Putting an article like this one out here in public view could help you find connections, but it might also hurt your credibility. If would be a shame if you missed an opportunity because you failed to edit your work.

Best of luck to you!

Good luck to you! I would try and do as much research at your local library. I started out that way checking out books on how to open a small art gallery. I would also check into the financials required maybe look for an accountant who could give some advice?

Congratulations on having your books published. That's a major accomplishment that lots of others (of us) have reason to envy. Your plans sound reasonable, but I would encourage you to prepare a detailed business plan--there are plenty of books available on the subject. Being able to demonstrate that you have anticipated all of the various factors involved, such as capital requirements, demand factors, projected cash flow, risks, etc., will help you sell your concept to potential investors and/or lenders.
You should know that bookselling is extremely competitive these days and that independent booksellers are having a tough time surviving. Aside from the mega-stores like Barnes and Noble you will be competing with discounters like Costo, Wal-Mart and online booksellers like Amazon.com. Best of luck to you.

Yes, congrats on getting published. That's an amazing accomplishment given the number of aspiring (unpublished) authors.

I love your dream, but I think you should be realistic about what's possible. Based on what you shared, you have no savings, no experience running a business, and need to make money doing whatever you do. It's hard to imagine that you'll be able to lease/buy and outfit a bookstore, and even if you could, as Paul says it's an industry where it gets harder and harder to make money each year.

Here's an alternative to consider: What if you got a job, even a part-time job, in an independent bookstore. As you develop a relationship with the owner, you might be able to convince her to carry books from the authors that interest you, creating a niche for that particular bookstore. At minimum, you would get valuable experience working in a bookstore, and you might even find you can satisfy your ambition by bringing unknown authors to market through somebody else's store.

Just an idea.

Hi, I was sent here by a friend who read your article. I have run my own business before and want to again. There is a program here in maine, and I'll bet in mass too. If women go thru the several weeks of business classes including understanding their business, plus help each other, they then can tap into moneys that are availble for businesses for women. As far as someone telling you that it's a rough road, yadeyadeya, that is someone parroting. You want to sell local authors work, art work etc. from locals. In places like the cape and here in Maine it is a good thing to do. Plus you arelooking at outside income as well, or rather, built in income by borrowing for a rental property. I have been told that they are easier to get monies for. The other thing I think of is a consortium of people who want to do the same thing. I tried but have never had any luck, except with a person who was not a good person. Many people don't want to strike out on their own. Yet, for me, I could never work for anohter person again. I am too independent. I say go for it woman, and do not allow naysayers the time of day. I went to a very prestigous college that noone and I mean noone except a handfull of people really close to me, believed I would get past the front door. I did and graduated Magna Cum Laude. If it is meant to happen woman...It will!

Go for it,Donna!
Conratulations on your published books.

i agree..SBA is a good option also various states have grant/residency programs for artists and writers..you could try those..congratulation on ur books..all the best