Starting a new business is an intimidating task for many. There’s every intention creating a successful business, but you can’t ever be certain how it will turn out. Luckily, there are steps you can take to ensure your business will run smoothly and be celebrated within your community. Fable Book Parlour’s story is a great example of how careful planning, imagination, and good intention can set a business up for success.

The idea to open a bookstore started when Revelstoke’s only bookstore, Grizzly Books, closed. Founders Allie Bruni-Riendeau, Stacy Batchelor and Kristin Olsen came together with the idea to open a new one. The store kicked off in a 1974 Shasta trailer better known as the Bookmobile. The trailer offered literature the community had been craving ever since losing the only bookstore in town. It was a huge success as people browsed its shelves in various locations around Revelstoke. Soon after, Fable opened a permanent location which offers books and various music equipment. It has space for live events such as poetry readings and music.

Luckily, we can expect more to come from the popular spot loved by both locals and visitors. As a nod to literature, the co-owners have cheekily written their business plan in “chapters”. Chapter one was the Bookmobile (which continues to run in the summer months) and chapter two included the move into the storefront. Last year, chapter three introduced tea, coffee and treats into the store. Future chapters include writing workshops, poetry readings, and an expansion of their music lesson offerings.

Creating a business plan this was allowed Batchelor, Olsen, and Bruni-Riendeau to segment their plan and create a clear direction. This made room for simplicity when strategizing steps in their plan.

Each of Fable’s owners offer different sets of skills. Stacy brings a background in education and science, Kristin has experience in retail and management, and Allie brings music and marketing knowledge. Combining these strengths with their passion for literature proved to be a fantastic recipe for Fable. On top of that, all three women are active members of the community.

The pandemic challenged a lot of local business and forced them to be creative with how they operate. The founders of Fable took this challenge in stride and saw it as an opportunity to see how their business could run in the relative absence of seasonal tourists. During this fragile time, pandemic restrictions pushed a lot of businesses online. Fable used this to their advantage by taking the time to make sure the online store was fine tuned. Ensuring a strong online presence from the beginning proved to be a great asset to the store. This way, people had the option to shop online rather than visiting the store. It was a relief for Fable to realize that their business had ample support from the community without the presence of tourists.

Community is a foundational part of Fable’s business plan. With literature and music being such crucial parts of culture, Fable found it easy to foster relationships and collaborations with local businesses and local partners. Apart from providing Revelstoke with books and music, Fable is dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming environment for others. The store is also committed to promoting literacy and culture and giving back to the community. Showing such passion for their community quickly propelled them toward being an important pillar in Revelstoke.

With dedication to the community and a clear plan, Fable has proven that any new business has the opportunity to thrive. When starting your own business, remember that you are in charge and have the power to create a plan that works for you. Work with your strengths and use any challenges as learning experiences to help your business grow.

We’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Fable on their 2021 Business Excellence Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence. If you have any questions, on other ways to help set up a successful business, come chat with us.