What started as a spicy subscription box packed in her kitchen is now two thriving bookstores, a merch line, and a romance convention. 

In this episode, Melissa Saavedra, founder of Steamy Lit, shares how she turned her love of romance books into a full-on literary brand.

We talk about how she built her audience, grew from popups to storefronts, and why representation in romance matters. 

Plus, she shares advice for anyone dreaming of starting a bookish business and her favorite steamy reads.

If you love spicy books and bold business moves, this one's for you.

When she’s not curating must-read romances or running her bookstore, Melissa can be found enjoying tequila on the beach.

• Instagram: Steamy Lit
• Website: steamylit.com

Karley Schaper shares how her handcrafted bookshelf decorations accidentally launched a thriving business from her small Oklahoma town, "where there are more cows than people."

In this episode, Karley shares

• How creating without sales intentions can lead to organic business growth
• The power of authentic social media sharing that grew Karley's Instagram from 100 to 25,000 followers
• Why solving your own problems creates products others desperately want
• How to build a business that fits your lifestyle rather than the other way around

Now with a warehouse instead of just her home office, Karley has achieved her version of success—the flexibility to walk her kids home from school and work when inspiration strikes, even if that's at one in the morning.

Tune in to hear her best advice for aspiring creators.

Visit Jordan Valley Designs website: JordanValleyDesigns.com

Connect on social media:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@itskarleynicole
• https://www.instagram.com/jordanvalleydesigns

This week’s guest is literally tearing books apart... and people love her for it.

What started as a casual scroll through BookTok turned into a side hustle-turned-small business for Valerie Brand, all centered around rebinding books into one-of-a-kind, stunning keepsakes. 

She’s crafted custom covers for fantasy favorites, sentimental heirlooms, and even indie author giveaways—all while holding down a 9-to-5.

In this episode, we chat about:

• How a viral video changed everything
• Bookish burnout, and how she’s still keeping the fun alive
• Her advice for anyone trying to grow a creative business online
• What really goes into crafting a custom book cover (hint: it’s not just glue and glitter)

Whether you’re a fantasy fan, small business dreamer, or just love hearing how someone makes it doing something they love, you’re going to want to tune in.

And yes, we do talk about ACOTAR.

Visit her website: www.valbinds.com

Get social with Val:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@valbinds
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valbinds
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/valeriebrand

What happens when a real estate-savvy book lover stumbles upon a shuttered bookstore already zoned for hotel use? You get The Bookhouse Hotel, a boutique literary escape where guests literally sleep surrounded by floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.

In this episode, Stephanie Olenik, the creative force behind not one, but two magical book-themed hotels in Pennsylvania, talks about turning a once-forgotten bookstore into a thriving destination to growing a nationwide book club community, and:

• How Stephanie turned 5,000 leftover books into the inspiration for a boutique hotel
  
  
• What made people start flying in from all over the world to stay at The Bookhouse Hotel
  
  
• Why her second location (a stunning 7-room mansion) includes a Jane Austen suite and a secret photo booth
  
  
• How a viral 24-hour read-a-thon helped boost bookings, and what she’s learned about influencer marketing
  
  
• Her real-talk advice for launching a bookish business that stands out
  
  
• The importance of building community and staying flexible when plans need to change
  
  

Whether you’re a book lover, a dreamer with a business idea, or just curious about what it’s like to run a hotel where every room tells a story, this one’s for you.

Visit The Bookhouse Hotel and The Bookhouse Hotel in Faunbrook:

• https://thebookhousehotel.com/
• https://thebookhouseatfaunbrook.com/

Check out the book club: https://thebookhousebookclub.com/

Get social on Instagram:

• @thebookhousehotels 
• @thebookhousefaunbook 
• @thebhbookclub

Listen in as author Lou Emerson reveals how she transformed her love of cozy crime fiction into a subscription box business. 

Lou shares how she delivers an immersive reading experience by pairing mystery novels with page-specific gifts, built a loyal subscriber base through a clever email challenge, and manages the chaos of "Christmas every month" from her home. 

Perfect for mystery lovers and aspiring entrepreneurs, this episode unpacks the business behind giving readers the ultimate "me-time" experience, one page number at a time.

Connect with Cozy Read Books:

• Website: https://cozyreadbooks.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozyreadbook
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozyreadbooks/

Four friends in their 20s realized none of them were reading books like they used to. 

So, Ben Bradbury hosted a casual gathering on their rooftop, invited some friends, put together a playlist, and everyone just... read books together. Then they chatted about what they were reading before calling it a night.

But it caught on. Ben and three of his friends formalized things a bit, named it “Reading Rhythms,” planned more get-togethers, expanded their invite list, and started sharing it on Instagram.

As these reading parties continued, they garnered attention in places like the New York Times, and this hobby quickly became a worldwide business. 

In this episode, Ben walks us through what a reading party is and how you can bring one to your city.

Connect with Reading Rhythms:

• Website: readingrhythms.co
• Instagram: instagram.com/reading_rhythms
• Ben on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/benbradbury

Jules Buonocore reaches 800,000 monthly readers and has built multiple revenue streams through her book blog, The Literary Lifestyle. 

In this episode, she reveals her journey from attorney to book influencer, her battle with Google's algorithm changes, and the surprising way she's monetizing trending book series like Fourth Wing and ACOTAR. 

She also shares behind-the-scenes details of her Rory Gilmore Book Club and practical tips for turning reading passion into profit. 

Visit The Literary Lifestyle: https://theliterarylifestyle.com/

Get social with Jules:

• Instagram
• Pinterest
• Facebook
• YouTube
• TikTok
• LinkedIn
• Threads
• Reddit
• Goodreads

Amanda Badeau left her corporate job to pursue her childhood dream of opening a bookstore. 

We chat with Amanda about trading her corporate ops director role for the green-walled, castle-like atmosphere of "The Archive" – her dark academia bookstore in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

Amanda gets real about the ups and downs of making this childhood dream happen: the unexpected costs, permit headaches, and why selecting books is way more stressful than she imagined. 

While pink romance bookshops are having their moment, Amanda spotted a gap for something different and jumped in with both feet.

She shares how a chance conversation at dinner led to finding her perfect space, her unique approach to hiring staff, and all the creative ways she's planning to make this bookstore profitable.

Visit the Archive at 700 S Shelmore Blvd Unit 103, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

Follow The Archive on Instagram at @thearchivechs.

When everyone said bookstores couldn't survive, Jenny Kelley did the impossible - opening Bookish Boutique in just 25 days! 

With pink couches, a wine bar, and custom "Smut University" merch, this Panama City store is defying the odds. 

How is she thriving where major chains have failed? 

Tune in to discover the secrets behind her success and why readers are flocking to this bookish paradise one year later!

Want 40 book recommendations for every vibe? Click here.

Watch this on YouTube at @ShelfMadeStories

Follow along on Instagram at @ChristinaAllDay

Connect with Jenny Kelley from Bookish Boutique:

• Website: https://bookishboutiquellc.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554472483170
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookishboutiquellc/

TIkTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bookishboutiquellc

When publishers wouldn't pay for her bookish content on Instagram (free books don't pay bills!), Hayley Solano got creative and built a literary empire that goes far beyond monthly discussions. 

After growing her #bookstagram to 40,000 followers, Hayley launched The Enchanted Book Club. She took her love of books and turned it into this vibe where classic book lovers can connect, no matter how busy life gets.

For fifteen bucks a month (or $150 if you go annually), you get access to this bookish world… and she has 800 members!

Want 40 book recommendations for every vibe? Click here.

Watch this on YouTube at @ShelfMadeStories

Follow along on Instagram at @ChristinaAllDay

Connect with Hayley here:

• Website: enchantedbookclub.com
• Instagram @hayleysolano