Hi Beth,

I love abebooks and ordered from there recently... in fact, just had a delivery the other day!


Yes, it's a wonderful site.

The business I want to start is in the hospitality/care realm.

That's great!

I'm very impressed with what you and your husband have managed to do...

Thank you, I think the key to what we do is that we both enjoy and take pride in our business.

Sixty-thousand books is a lot. How do you manage to keep them in order? Do you have barcodes? How do you find the books on the shelves/boxes/storage ... I ask because I might need to use barcodes and don't have a clue as to where to get started. Also, would need to find out about the corresponding software needed to manage goods...

No, no barcodes...we're very low-tech. Keeping the books in order is not, fortunately, my part of the job. My husband has his system and it works well. I couldn't begin to figure it out.

I think it is wonderful that you managed a cafe... that is awesome. Did you have to do hiring as well?

I loved my job and the cafe was a fabulous place. Totally indie. No, the owner did the hiring, although sometimes she'd consult with me. I did ask one guy to quit once. I felt rotten about it, but he just plain didn't fit into the environment. No one was benefiting, not him, either.

I'm feeling that I'll be working a lot by starting my own business, but the hours will be flexible enough to allow me to go to appointments... I am being treated for MI and have other doctors appointments as well... I'm in my early 50s and frankly fall into a category where my getting hired seems rather improbable, but I've been an excellent employee in the past. I feel I've my feet enough on the ground to embark on this adventure...

I wish you immense luck and lots of good times with you business!

Thank you for your detailed reply, Beth!

You're so welcome

It is so good to chat with you...

You, too, TheGal