11 Questions for a bookstore owner: Interview with Sscarlet’s Web
I’m so honored to share what I learned from this amazing business woman!!
I was so excited to have found this amazing woman on Pinterest and just honored beyond belief that she agreed to answer a few of my questions for a piece on my blog.
Fatima Muhammad the is amazing owner of Sscarlet’s web bookstore.
The Black book Space Blog gives a voice to Black authors and this amazing woman, Fatima Muhammad, the owner of Sscarlet’s Web, is a Black book store owner. She has an amazing variety of books that you can browse right here. Check out what she has to say about her journey below.
1) What was your biggest inspiration for starting your bookstore?
My passion for reading and owning a successful business that will allow me to help my family financially.
2) Your bookstore has a beautiful and unique name. Where does the name “Sscarlet’s Web” come from?
Sscarlet is my alias. I saw the name Scarlett Rose on a TV show years ago and fell in love with the name. Growing up everyone had a nickname and I decided Sscarlet Rose with two S’s and one T would be mine. In addition to that, I wanted to be an author when I was younger and Sscarlet Rose was going to be my pen name. When I made the decision to open a bookstore, I knew I wanted to incorporate the name Sscarlet, but I didn’t feel Sscarlet Rose would make sense, I also knew I would be an online bookstore and so as a play on web/internet and the book Charlotte’s Web I came up with Sscarlet’s Web.
3) What is a typical “day-in-the-life” like for you?
My day starts around 7/730 AM since I have another full-time job working as a Paid Search Manager. From 7/730-9, I do inventory research to see what upcoming or previously published books I want to add to the collection. I do this by browsing publisher websites, book blogs, social media, etc. After I decide which ones I love and feel will resonate with my customers I start the process of adding them, which includes updating my inventory tracker, creating the book cover image files and adding the images and descriptions to the website.
Oh shoot! Looks it was time for a pop-shop!!
I usually take a lunch break from my second job around 12/1, during that time I work on social media and email content I want to share for that day or a later date. Although I try to schedule content/emails weeks in advance, I’m not always able to most days so I often post about things going on in the world of publishing, or topics such as mental health, motivation, equity, inclusion, diversity, etc. After I come up with content/emails, I publish/send it if it’s for the current day, if not I schedule it.
After I am done for the day with my paid search job, I continue adding inventory to the website, this is mostly books I didn’t get a chance to add in the morning or books I’ve been meaning to add. I am in the process of moving to a different accounting platform, so I work a little on that, and do more Inventory research. I check my emails and go on social media to reply to emails/messages. I also work on email content. I create bookmarks that I give away. My day usually ends around 11.
4) Were there bookstores like yours in your neighborhood growing up?
I don’t recall ever seeing a bookstore that prioritized authors of color in general and Black authors specifically. I went to the library a lot, or I would read my sister's books, but I never asked her where she bought them from.
5) What keeps you going in this industry?
God and my customers. Owning a business is hard and time-consuming, even more so in this time when you need a large social media following and the products you sell are considered discretionary items. But I love my customers and the book community.
6) What are three of the most influential books you have read and why do you consider them as such?
Four Hundred Souls edited by Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain. I learned so much about Black history from this book. I don’t normally like to read historical nonfiction like this because if I am honest it makes me angry that we as Black people were and still are continuously subjected to harm and hatred and don’t get me wrong I was angry while I read this book, but I believe if we don’t learn the past we are bound to repeat it and so I made a conscious decision to read more nonfiction these past few years and this was one of the first ones. This book is thought-provoking, anger-inducing, beautiful, and a tribute to those that came before us and fought for us to have what they could not in their lifetime.
Just as I Am, Cicely Tyson’s memoir. Reading her story and learning that she didn’t become an actress until she was in her 30s resonated with me because I didn’t attend college until I was in my mid-20s and didn’t start my career in marketing until I was in my 30s which allowed me the opportunity to open my business in my late 30s. To see her thrive in an industry that is not always kind to Black Women gave me hope that it is never too late to succeed.
The New Negro edited by Alain Locke. This was one of the books Cicely Tyson mentioned in her memoir and it was a reminder to me that although I know a lot about history, there is still so much to learn from Black history and the ancestors that paved the way for us in many different forms.
7) Let’s talk about current books. What is a book that you recommend that people read in 2022?
Balance Is Bullshit: A Realistic Approach to Integrating Healthier Habits into Your Life by Alicia McKenzie, Magnolia Flower by Zora Neale Hurston & Ibram X. Kendi, The Third Reconstruction: America's Struggle for Racial Justice in the Twenty-First Century by Peniel E. Joseph, Token Black Girl: A Memoir by Danielle Prescod, Making a Scene by Constance Wu, Black Gold by Laura Obuobi, Nubia: The Awakening by Omar Epps & Clarence A. Haynes, The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times by Michelle Obama, A Dash of Salt and Pepper by Kosoko Jackson, The Vibrant Years by Sonali Dev, I Wish My Dad: The Power of Vulnerable Conversations between Fathers and Sons by Romal Tune, with Jordan Tune, The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson and so many more.
8) What is your ultimate goal or goals for your bookstore?
My goals for Sscarlet’s Web are to be a successful bookstore, create a safe space for people that love reading and learning, host more author Instagram live and in-person events, do at least one pop-up event a month and one day open a physical location.
9) What advice would you give to someone who desires to start a bookstore?
Do your research, find a niche that will resonate, connect with other bookstore owners and don’t be afraid to ask questions, start small and grow your catalog over time, and keep track of your inventory.
If you can’t afford a program right away use an excel tracker to track, keep track of your business expenses (There are some free programs live Wave, Zoho, etc.), create your social media pages early in the process, take advantage of the resources available at SBA.gov, if you can afford it join American Booksellers Association and NAIBA (There are different ones based on your location), and finally have fun.
10) If you could do one thing differently in starting your bookstore, what would it be?
I would have used Ingram’s direct-to-home option to cut down on inventory costs.
11) What can we do to support you? Follow us on social media, like and share our posts, tell your friends and family about us, join our mailing list & Instagram lives, and if you can make a purchase online or come out to our pop-up events.
Whew…that interview truly raised my spirits! I am so inspired by this amazing woman and what she is doing for our community! She was so honest about her journey and you can tell this woman loves books! Check out her amazing store right here!! Watch out, Ms. Fatima, I’m coming for all those books you suggested!