Bookstore owner
Lacey Brown is the owner of Henniker Book Farm & Gifts.
Explain your job and what it entails.
I get to be around and sell books all day long — what could be better than that? … What I love best is that every day is different and that is because I get to interact with people who come from all over with all different interests. With a used book store you get to put your hands on unique books that you won’t find regularly at new book stores and our inventory is constantly rotating with different books…
How long have you had this job?
About three years ago I started selling books online as a side hustle… [I]n 2022 my husband and I bought Henniker Book Farm & Gifts. At first we were going to just open online, but the public convinced us that we needed to open the doors … In August 2022 we reopened the oldest used book store in New Hampshire, originally founded in 1964.
What led you to this career field and your current job?
I grew up reading non-stop … I also spent 22 years in the high-tech industry, where I learned so much about business and people. So to combine my love for books, business and people it made for an exciting new opportunity that I could not only enjoy but share the experience with my kiddos.
What kind of education or training did you need?
Running a business isn’t easy, so any business education you can get, whether it’s schooling or hands-on. That said, hands-on experience gives you the opportunity to come in contact with real-life scenarios that just can’t be taught in a classroom.
What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?
Depends on my mood. Some days I wear funky book T-shirts, sometimes I dress up, and sometimes I wear warm comfy clothes, especially in those brutally cold months.
What is the most challenging thing about your work, and how do you deal with it?
I have limited space for storing new books before I put them on the shelves. This of course will always ebb and flow as books come in and go out, but at the end of the day no one can have too many books.
What do you wish you’d known at the beginning of your career?
I wish I had learned to take more time to enjoy life.
What do you wish other people knew about your job?
People always think that I get to read books all day, but unfortunately that’s not true …
What was the first job you ever had?
At 14, I worked at McDonald’s.
What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received?
Leverage people’s strengths. … This is true in life too.
Five favorites
Favorite book: Gone with the Wind. I’ve read it over and over again.
Favorite movie: Gone with the Wind. I know it’s redundant, but Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable are amazing!
Favorite music: Dave Matthews Band
Favorite food: Polish food
Favorite thing about NH: The outdoors, in all seasons, although my favorite is fall.
Featured photo: Lacey Brown. Courtesy photo.