I emailed this bookstore asking if they were hiring. I noticed they lacked presence on social media and their website wasn’t well made and offered my graphic design services as I’m a recent graphic design graduate. The owner said she didn’t have the budget to hire but was retiring soon and asked if i’d be interested in taking over. I know nothing about owning a business but this seems like a good opportunity so I’m trying to figure out what to do.
The economics of a used bookstore are ridiculous. If he’s willing to give you all the inventory, okay. You might put a roof over your head for a few years.
But if you sell online you will be slightly more profitable than normal.
I also like the Ryan Holiday approach - he has a retail front and runs his real business in the back. He sells (probably) a lot more on the basis of his recommendations and relationships. The bookstore is a combination community investment and loss leader for his larger empire
^ This. Otherwise you just bought yourself a crappy underpaid job.