Dunsborough Books
Video Entry
Business Information
Female Founder:
Carmen Grau
Links:
How has the business been funded to date?
Bootstrapped
Tell us about your business:
I’m an all-around book lover: avid reader, writer, editor, curator and bookseller. Dunsborough Books started as a hobby in 2008, selling second-hand books in excellent condition at my local markets. It became a business in 2021, when I started selling my own (new) self-published books and those of other local independent writers. I also offer proofreading and copyediting services. I seek to further expand my retail business by converting my high-roof Ford Transit into a mobile bookshop to better serve my community of readers and book lovers. I do this because I am passionate about books, literature and sustainability, and I love working for myself.
How would $5k or $10k enable you to create more profit and impact in your business?
I’ve been dedicating most of my time to writing and editing, attending only a handful of markets every month. I now plan to grow my retail business by creating a proper website and online shop and by converting my high-roof Ford Transit into a mobile bookshop where customers can come in and browse for books. My customers love me for my knowledge of books and excellent customer service. A mobile bookshop will better serve my community of readers and book lovers because I will be operating my physical shop several days a week.
Please outline what you would spend the grant on:
All the money would be invested in converting the Ford Transit van into a mobile bookshop. I want my customers to feel like they are inside a real bookshop – albeit, small – so the ceiling, floor and bookshelves will be made professionally and the whole van will be insulated. I also plan on having solar panels to operate a battery so I can use the bookvan as an office. The outside of the van will have to be designed to attract customers. I also need to buy a domain for my website and upgrade my online shop.
