We had the good fortune of connecting with Shannon Grace and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Shannon, how does your business help the community?
At Grace by Shan we strive to connect with our community while encouraging other small businesses. The fabric chosen for our best selling product, book sleeves, comes from other small businesses and supports the designers directly. Our mindset is and always will be community over competition.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Grace by Shan is an online bookish boutique selling products for readers and more. We strive to help connect our audience together while creating products that are not only appealing, but high quality and supporting other businesses.
This dream turned to reality when I opened my Etsy shop in November, 2019. What was then just a small room used as a guest room/office space, we quickly out grew that room. Once the pandemic hit as well as the movement to shop small businesses, my home was overwhelmed with Grace by Shan inventory & work. I recruited my significant other and other family members to come and help while eating meals on the couch because we had no other room to.
While this was a stressful time, I quickly learned the importance of work & life balance that would then help me become more efficient in my job. I hired formal employees and got a larger space for our headquarters. Investing in a new business can be scary, but it is worth it to make your dreams come true.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When visiting Miami, one has to check out any Books & Books location. I have been to both the Coconut Grove and Coral Gables locations. Coral Gables Books & Books also comes with a beautiful outside restaurant and is unique all on its own. The Coconut Grove location is a cozy two story bookstore with tons of shopping and dining in the area. I also recommend a run or walk along the boardwalk to South Pointe Pier and then finishing the day with dining and shopping along Lincoln Road.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Myself and my company wouldn’t be where we are today if it weren’t for the support of my online community. Thank you to everyone who has ever cheered me on through the internet and helped me become who I am today.
Website: www.GracebyShan.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/@Gracebyshan
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@BookishShan