Open a world of considerations and possibilities

A book for future, past, and present Shopkeepers (and the people who love them).

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less how-to build and more how-to be •

less how-to build and more how-to be •

Opening for business also means opening up to personal growth.

OPEN dives into the practical elements of building and operating a retail store while squarely focusing on the Shopkeeper behind it. Blending memoir and keen observations, I share my Shopkeeper Journey while encouraging you to dig into your “Personal Backroom” and take Personal Inventory to identify what makes you tick, dim, glow, and burn out. 

Take Personal Inventory

Too many how-to books and retail experts focus on utilitarian checklists while matters of the heart are cliff-noted or left out altogether. That’s why I wrote this book. I want to help you craft a better vision for your store that includes the most important element: you.

OPEN is the book I wish I’d read before opening my dream store — and reread throughout my time operating and eventually closing my dream store. The intention is less how-to build and more how-to be because being true to your truest self can be the hardest thing to do.

How you and your customers experience your store and how your business operates and succeeds has everything to do with your personal energies and how you show up. I hope my personal stories, wins, and big lessons inspire and support your Shopkeeper Dream while giving it space to grow, thrive, and evolve.

Me in my Shopkeeper days

  • "OPEN is not only for retail entrepreneurs but for entrepreneurs in general. It is the tale for people whose professional dream has come true and what it is like to live the dream. Not all entrepreneurial dreams are meant to last forever. If one door closes, others are opening up. As Ana Maria puts it: It’s important to remember, we get to choose how we experience our everyday. I really enjoyed reading the book and took a lot out of it for my own entrepreneurial journey. Especially taking regular accounts whether the path is still the one you want to be on and to be honest with what you need to thrive are important lessons."

    — Antonia Sutter, Founder and Owner of SisterMAG

  • “As a fellow boutique shop owner, I believe this book is a gift to those who plan to start a retail shop. Ana Maria honestly reveals her experience as a shopkeeper. It’s a case study full of lessons learned and great tips for running a shop. She also describes the evolution of the business as it grows from sole owner to a business with staff and a community that embraces them.”

    — Kelly Wohlgenant Owner Retro Modern Furnishings

  • "OPEN is an invitation to take personal inventory and design (or re-design) your personal power beyond the storefront of your professional pursuits. As tactical as it is transparent, this is a must read for any Service Provider, Shopkeeper or Serial Entrepreneur looking to become their best self in life and biz."

    — Kj Christensen, Speaker / Author / Strategist

You have the Shopkeeper Dream for a reason

Live your dream with less friction and more joy.

Shopkeeper Resources

As mentioned in OPEN and made available for you to make your own.

FREE Printable Walk-In Sheet for small independent retail for tracking foot traffic. Perfect for small retail shops and independent shopkeepers.

FREE Printable Walk-In Sheet

AUD $0

Track your foot traffic to pair with your daily sales, seasonal impacts, and personal energies. Grab your Walk-In Sheet for free!

Master Vendor List for organizing your retail store's vendors, distributors and brands. Quickly reference pertinent information for product buying order minimums, timelines, drop shipping, and more. Perfect for small independent retail stores.

Master Vendor List

AUD $27

Get all of those vendor and order details out of your head and inbox and somewhere useful for you and your team.

This Team Book Template will help empower your team and help unload mental and digital redundancies. Set the foundation for ensuring that your existing and future team members are on the same page…literally.

Team Book Template

AUD $42

Empower your staff and help unload mental and digital redundancies to ensure that your existing and future team members are on the same page…literally.