RAE’S READS

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This year (2025) finds me with 53 years of teaching “under my belt.” I have taught all levels from pre-K “(library lady” or “book lady”–volunteer) to juniors, seniors, and graduate students enrolled in my Advanced Writing class at the university where I have just completed 34 years. My first paying teaching job was junior high, and I spent 13 years with ages 12-13, the “difficult years.” I had some of the “funnest” experiences with this age group. When I was no longer the “young, fun teacher,” I taught in an elementary school setting before sixth graders went on to junior high, teaching language arts blocs, an assignment that was a “dream-fit” for me. After completing graduate school in my 40s, I went on to community college, then university teaching. This past fall I accepted a part-time teaching job at Apogee Gulf Coast Schools in its first year at the Alvin campus. After my Better Half died n 2022, I achieved a lifelong dream: opening a bookstore of my own, Rae’s Reads. A year later, I sold the house we had lived in for 47 years and moved into the bookstore. My goal is to circulate and repurpose books. Just as teaching is “in my blood,” so is a passion for reading, writing, libraries, and everything bookish. This blog will be open to anyone who loves books, promotes literacy and wants to “come out and play.”

A VERY HELPFUL BOOK FOR A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER LIKE ME

This wonderful book has helped me immensely as I started out in January 2023 as the owner of Rae’s Reads, a new and gently used bookstore (the only bookstore) in my hometown of Alvin, Texas (think halfway between Houston and Galveston).

The book is subtitled, “A Woman’s Guide for Making Money Doing What She Loves.” I knew immediately when I saw it was recommended by Dave Ramsey, who wrote the forward, that I would be getting good business advice. “Starting a business can be scary”–I can vouch for that. Wright describes “the current movement of women stepping into their God-given gifts to make money doing what they love.” Since most of my books are donations, I am able to sell hardbacks for a dollar and paperbacks for 50 cents. Friends and friends of friends have loved clearing out their bookshelves and houses as they move to be closer to loved ones, just want to rid their homes of “clutter-books” before their children have to do that for them after they die, and are downsizing for some other reason. MY GOAL IS TO ONE DAY COVER THE UTILITIES AND PERHAPS THE TAXES AND INSURANCE, but right now attaining that goal is a long way down the road. It is more of a hobby, a very expensive one. LOL My aim is to redistribute and circulate books. I have given away hundreds with FREEBIE weekends and a free book from anywhere in the building on one’s first visit. IT HAS BEEN FUN! We even serve coffee and homemade cookies paid for by the cash that comes in.

The author gives excellent advice on taxes and other practicalities that sometimes apply to my situation. Her chapters on ‘Making the Most of Your Resources” and “Planning Your Money, Time, Schedule, and Space was extremely helpful when starting out. The purpose of Business Boutique is to “create a plan to start a business,” and it accomplishes that purpose in a fine way.

I never turn down donations and I am kept busy spreading the wealth of books.

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4 responses to “A VERY HELPFUL BOOK FOR A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER LIKE ME”

  1. Rae Longest Avatar
    Rae Longest

    Reblogged this on Literacy and Me.

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  2. Carole Avatar
    Carole

    This sounds like a very useful book! Good luck with Rae’s Reads!

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    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      THANKS!

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  3. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz Avatar
    Deb Nance at Readerbuzz

    I’m glad this book has been helpful for you. And I’m delighted that we have Rae’s Reads here!

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