I run my dream wine-and-book bar as a side hustle. My friends cover for me when I need a nap.
Atlanta small-business owner, Candace Walker, shares how she balances running a wine bar on top of her full-time job.
Candace Walker, a 42-year-old small-business owner based in Atlanta, has found a way to balance her 9-to-5 job with running her wine-and-book bar, The Vibrary. She opened the establishment in 2021 after experiencing Zoom calls with friends where they discussed books while enjoying wine. Walker aimed to create a similar community space for others in person.
Despite her full-time job as a director of a crime lab, she managed to balance the two by getting assistance from friends during her nap breaks. The Vibrary started as a wine-and-book bar, focusing on wine due to the existing restaurants in the area. The business faced several challenges, including supply chain disruptions, but it held its grand-opening in August 2021.
Walker decided to open the bar three days a week, allowing her to rest and recoup from both jobs. She made some pivots, realizing that books were not a significant part of her sales, and now focuses on hosting private events and local author book signings. She is in the process of expanding the business and opening more locations.
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