Today we’d like to introduce you to Carla Thompson.
Hi Carla, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always loved books and the way they bring people together. The idea for The Paper Hare Books came from wanting to create something that combined my passion for reading with my desire to build community. As a mom of two, I was looking for a business model that would give me the flexibility to prioritize my family while still pursuing something I truly love. That’s what led me to create a mobile bookstore.
The book truck allows me to bring books directly to readers at markets, festivals, coffee shops, and community events, while also building a business that fits our family’s lifestyle. From the beginning, it has been important to me to make this a true family business, one that my children can grow up around and be a part of.
My husband has been an essential part of this journey from day one. He shares my love of books and was the one who built the book truck itself. He is involved in so much of the behind-the-scenes work that keeps the business running, from setup and logistics to helping bring new ideas to life. The Paper Hare Books truly wouldn’t be what it is today without his support and partnership.
One of my goals with The Paper Hare Books is to create a thoughtfully curated collection that reflects the diversity of the world around us. It’s important to me to offer books from a wide range of voices, backgrounds, and perspectives so that readers can both see themselves represented and discover experiences different from their own.
Building the business has been a journey of learning, adapting, and growing, but it’s been incredibly rewarding to see people connect with books and support an independent bookstore. Today, The Paper Hare Books is more than just a book truck, it’s a way to make books accessible, foster community connections, celebrate diverse stories, and build something meaningful for both my family and the communities we serve.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest challenges has been balancing entrepreneurship with family life. As a mom of two, my family is always my top priority, so learning how to grow a business while being present for my children has required a lot of flexibility and intentionality.
Another challenge has been curating the inventory for the book truck. Unlike a traditional bookstore with endless shelf space, every book I bring on the truck has to earn its place. I spend a lot of time researching and thoughtfully selecting titles that reflect a wide range of voices, backgrounds, and experiences while also making sure I’m carrying books that readers are excited about and looking for. Finding that balance between diversity, representation, customer interests, and market trends is an ongoing process, and it’s one of the most important parts of what I do. Despite the challenges, discovering and curating books remains one of my favorite aspects of the business, right alongside building relationships with readers and the local community.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I moved from Puerto Rico to Florida in 2009 and spent many years working in retail and restaurant jobs. In 2014, I began sharing my love of fashion on social media, posting outfit inspiration and style content. What started as a creative outlet eventually grew into a successful blogging and content creation career that remained a passion project and side business for many years.
After becoming a mom in 2016, I stayed home with my son while continuing to create content. My focus evolved from fashion into home styling and design, which led to opportunities to work with brands such as World Market and IKEA. As my family grew and I welcomed my second child in 2021, motherhood naturally became my primary focus. During that season of life, I also learned the importance of protecting my mental health and being intentional about where I spent my time and energy.
In 2023, I returned to the workforce to help support my family financially and took a job as a bookseller. For two years, I learned so much in my time there and I’m very grateful for the experience. While I loved the work, I realized that the schedule was taking me away from my family and affecting my overall well-being.
That period became an important turning point for me. As I reflected on what I wanted for my future, I realized that I wanted to build something of my own, something that combined my experience in retail, my background in social media and community building, and my passion for books.
That’s how The Paper Hare Books was born. Today, I specialize in curating a diverse and thoughtful selection of books and creating welcoming spaces where readers can connect, discover new stories, and build community. I also focus on building relationships with local businesses, collaborating with them, and creating partnerships that help strengthen and support the community as a whole.
What sets me apart is that I bring together several different experiences – content creation, retail, community engagement, and bookselling, while also approaching the business through the lens of a mother and small business owner.
What I’m most proud of is creating a business that aligns with my values. The Paper Hare Books allows me to prioritize my family, support diverse voices and authors, and connect with readers in a meaningful way. Seeing people discover a new favorite book, bringing communities together through stories, and building something alongside my husband and children has been incredibly rewarding.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My biggest advice for anyone starting out is to do it even when it feels scary. If you wait until you feel completely ready, you may never start. Growth really happens once you take that first step.
I’ve also learned that understanding the different aspects of your business is just as important as the product or service you’re offering. Whether it’s operations, marketing, customer experience, or behind-the-scenes logistics, every piece matters and helps you build something more sustainable and well-rounded.
Another thing I’ve learned is the value of community and relationships. Whether it’s customers, other small business owners, or local partners, those connections truly shape and support your growth in ways you can’t always plan for.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bookshop.org/shop/thepaperharebooks
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepaperharebooks/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Paper-Hare-Books/61576433341065/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepaperharebooks
- Other: https://libro.fm/thepaperharebooks
