Secrets of a Small Biz: Oliver and Friends

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) - Renee Cunningham just opened her newest book store in Waterville, she was previously located in Belgrade but 5 years ago her store was just a dream.

“I decided that it was time to take a shot and turn this dream into a reality. First thing I did was to start to research to see is this feasible can my passion turn into a business and two was I had to learn how to be a business owner. I was a reader. I loved books. I had a passion, but how do I translate that into a small business,” said Cunningham.

When she was finally ready to open the doors to her first store she ran into an unexpected obstacle.

“My first spot was this lovely little space in Belgrade Lakes village, great place to start my business, and then I got to the fun part, which was ordering all the books. My plan had been to open, have a great big grand opening celebration in June of 2020. We all kind of know how that story went,” explained Cunningham. “I was worried about would my business get through the pandemic, which all of the small businesses we were all in that boat. So it was a very stressful time, but it also was one of those things where something beautiful came out of it because what I found was the community stood on their heads to support me and they were so excited about my business.”

While she may be an avid reader she still had lots to learn about books when she opened.

Cunningham said “The biggest learning curve is learning how to curate and choose books that that will appeal to everyone and it’s it really is a learning process. I spend a lot a lot of time looking through book catalogs. I’ve really become a student of my customers and I let them guide me.”

This year she made the choice to move her business to Waterville.

“The cool thing is I’m still seeing all of my Belgrade customers when I decided that it was time to make a switch for my business to make sure that the business was going to be here for the long haul, In being a big enough market that I could continue. All of my regular customers from that area just said, ‘Great. We absolutely think that’s the right move for you’ and I see them as much if not more,” reflected Cunningham.

The name “Oliver and Friends” came from her second passion in life.

“Oliver is one of my cats. In addition to being passionate about books, I always say I’m passionate about animals. We have a house full of rescues.” said Cunningham. “You know sometimes you have pets that are just really special to you and he had a great look for the logo,” she adds.”

In the world of E readers and larger corporations Renee knew she had to set herself and her business apart.

“When you come into my store I want it to be an experience. I think if you look around, I wanted to design a space that I wanted to be in all day. I didn’t want it to feel like a retail space and just about maybe your favorite room in your house. If you could design this great room in your house, that had all your favorite books what would it look like. "

She offers a variety of genres so everyone can find something they enjoy, and if you don’t know what you are looking for don’t worry she has you covered.

“We have a great staff here. We know about books. We love books as much as all of you do, so we are going to tell you about something we just read that we are so jazzed about,” she said.

She says while owning a business is harder than she thought it would be, the reward is even greater.

“Sometimes I still like not to be cliche but I have to pinch myself because its amazing even on my busiest day I come to work I’m surrounded by books. I talk about books all day long, if I’m not doing that I’m ordering more books. It really is like living the dream.”

“If you have a dream and you have a passion take a chance and you know maybe it works and maybe it doesn’t but you just don’t ever want to wonder,” she advises.

While she just started a new chapter in Waterville, she hopes to keep writing her story.

“The tail end for me really is just to have a business that is sustainable and a part of the community, and to kind of leave my stamp on something I feel really good about. It couldn’t have just been any business for me, it had to be a business I really felt did some good in the World,” Cunningham said.