Show Notes
What do you do when national competition comes flooding in? How do you survive? This is the story of a small local bookstore outlasting large national chains. Sarah Bagby has been leading Watermark books through difficult challenges, but has always been able to move forward, partly on having the right focus. She joins host Don Sherman to share what makes her business stand out. On this episode we discuss:
- Becoming more entrepreneurial in the face of competition
- Growing up in a house of readers
- Why a book is not a passive experience
- Being in the business of ideas
- Keeping people from feeling alone during the pandemic
- How the community helps her bring national authors to town
- How the internet scares Sarah
- Not forgetting the value of local retail businesses
- Everyone comes in with a problem to solve
- Focusing on customer engagement
- Admiring local non-profit leaders
- Reopening the cafe
Learn more about Watermark Books and Cafe:
For 45 years, Watermark Books & Café, an independent locally owned bookstore and café, has been a home for books in Wichita, KS. While our physical store houses books, our home extends well beyond the four walls and into our community. We sponsor over 100 author events featuring bestselling and soon-to-be bestselling authors. We collaborate with non-profits, other local businesses, schools, churches, libraries, and other organizations that make our community what it is. Since 1996 we have been an anchor for the Lincoln Heights Village Shopping Center at the southwest corner of Douglas and Oliver.
Mission statement: Our purpose is to connect books with readers and to provide tasty food for our café patrons. We match myriad books to a diverse population of readers, including children, in physical, eBook and audio format. With open minds and a knowledge of books, we strive to be a place for discovery and expansive experiences. We support local authors, donate to nonprofit organizations, schools, libraries, and source our coffee from a local roaster. Whether you seek an author event, a book club, a coffee meet-up or something good to read, we welcome you and are committed to representing
our entire community in our selection of books.
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