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Halley, Founder @PawsUpKC

@pawsupkc

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You know you’ve been meaning to donate to a local animal shelter but you just haven’t found the time. And that’s why I’m here! To be your friendly reminder and between now and August 20 I even have a GIVEAWAY ! All you have to do to enter to win is donate some needed items for Kansas City animal agencies… Dry or wet food, fleece blankets, cat litter, peanut butter, treats, you know the drill!!

All of your donations get split between THREE charities so it makes your donation travel further.

So see what you can get together in your house, in your neighborhood, or in your community group.

Let’s do this!! by @pawsupkc

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6 years ago

SEVEN things to know about your @shop7stories bookseller, Halley Vincent:

1) She makes really yummy scallion pancakes from scratch! She’s also a big fan of cheesecake, boba tea, and everything caramel.

2) She technically attends 2 schools as a current Freshman: SMN & SME

3) She’s a member of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater KC

4) Although she is referred to as the youngest bookseller in America right now at 14, she technically started her bookstore in October 2022 when she was 12! And, no, she wasn’t trying to be the youngest of ANYTHING. It just happened.

5) Halley qualifies as a legit business owner because she’s been operating in the nonprofit and for profit business spaces for YEARS! She started a nonprofit organization when she was 8. And she became a competent bookseller by spending 3 years in the Bookmobile trenches, sometimes matching people with their ideal book in 100+ degree weather. She still operates the @pawsupkc Bookmobile between May and October giving out used books in pay-it-forward exchange for pet shelter donations. Last year her bookmobile visited 52 locations and distributed 800+ books including titles awarded through a generous grant from @hindislibraries

6) She is locally a HUGE supporter and asks you to please FOLLOW: @girlsontherunkc , @rorkc , @kcbc913 , @chain_of_hope_kc , @cityunionmission , @greatplainsspca , @angelheartsrescue.orgkcmo , AND @hsgkcofficial … She’s also a big fan of teen powerhouses @khloekares , @annabellesbookclubla , & @sammiesbuddybenchproject

7) She hates the words MOIST, PANTYHOSE, and GUSHING. And she absolutely cannot stomach the phrase #GIRLBOSS ? Why?? …Well, have you ever heard grown men brag about being a #BOYBOSS ? Exactly! by @pawsupkc

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3 years ago

I try not to focus too much on what I’ve accomplished by a certain age, but I do take time to look back each year and reflect. Between photos, videos, and old setups of my store or bookmobile, I sometimes have to literally scratch my head to figure out when something happened. Thankfully, I have milestones to mark the journey.

In September 2022, I got my bookstore license and started selling. In 2020, I started my 501(c)(3) for pet adoption and literacy (definitely a little backwards). It’s humbling to think I launched a nonprofit before I’d even earned a dollar. But that’s me.

Just since last year, I’ve spoken to a dozen groups about entrepreneurship, literacy, and what I see as the current crisis in publishing. I also expanded my store to 1,400 square feet — not the most glamorous detail, but what matters is that it works. There’s a back door for trash and deliveries, and the space easily transforms for a book club, speaker event, homeschool group, or embroidery class.

Last year, at 15, I bought my own bookmobile van. I still can’t legally drive it, but hilariously, I’ve been "driving" versions of my bookmobile since I was 9 — starting with a riding lawn mower. Go figure.

My life may seem surreal by most standards, but to me, this is just how things are. I don’t measure myself against others.

And turning 16? To me, it just means I’m two years closer to applying for more grants, mentorships, and opportunities. I’m not waiting for a milestone to tell me I’m ready. I’ve been doing the work, and I’m not slowing down.

As Miss Janet @sourcebooksellers told me last week: “I don’t bow down.”

She meant it about not being swayed by fame or wealth. For me, it’s about not shrinking myself or sitting things out just because it might be easier. Plans change, buildings get sold, and life surprises you — but I don’t get knocked off course.

Thank you for supporting me, for being patient, collaborative, and just the best kind of people to grow alongside. You give me space to try, fall, get up, and try again.

Here’s to another lap around the sun! ☀️

-Halley 💗 taken in Shop7Stories by @pawsupkc

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a year ago

TODAY IS THE DAY! We're having a FALL BOOK BASH for PawsUpKC . This means we are bringing out more books than typical (and, if you have a minute to volunteer your time, please HELP US pull out boxes, categorize books by genre, and arrange them for book loving patrons)!

Why are we doing this? Well, because Bookmobile Season typically runs May to October and... THIS October is more important than ever to clean out the riff raff because we will be moving. Just like when you move a house, we need to lighten the load.

Normally, we ask you to take one book and leave a donation if you can. This time, we ask you to take as many books you like, and again, accordingly, leave an appropriate donation if possible.

What is "an appropriate donation"? Whatever you would willingly pay at a thrift store or a yard sale!! We have a mailbox for cash donations or use our VENMO address on the top of this graphic. We can also accept dry or wet cat food donations.

Thank you to our generous patrons who continue to drop books, volunteer time, or go above and beyond to donate on behalf of others.

This is just a reminder that as a 501c3, we operate as a philanthropy. EVERY dollar that comes in goes back out as pooled donations to area animal adoption agencies and literacy groups. Last year, that resulted in $5,000 in donation checks! So those $2, $4, & $10 donations really add up and make a difference!

Everything is set up in front of Seven Stories TODAY ONLY. We also pulled out a clothing rack, and although these are not discounted shirts, 100% of every shirt sold will go back to Paws Up and our favorite animal shelter and literacy partners.

Thank you for making our community Bookmobile self-supporting. And if you have wanted to donate your time or offer support for us, again, today is your day! Come on down to help us out, including connecting people with the right book! It's going to be a beautiful day.

-Paws Up KC Team ❤️❤️ taken in Shop7Stories by @pawsupkc

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2 years ago

Tell Stanley to stuff it cuz it’s your night on the town!

Get your wig and big jewelry together!!! We are hereby UNITING THE HELENS to tour Downtown Shawnee watering holes AND to kick up their kaftans and heals!! And we’re doing all of this in the name of raising money for some local animal shelters. 100% of proceeds goes to @pawsupkc and helps to offset the cost of local teachers, dogs surgery! 🥰❤️

Only $10 to participate, you can sign up at shop7stories.com

Sign up before May 28th to receive 3X raffle tickets for an increased chance of winning a lil something from our neighboring businesses.

Receive another raffle ticket for every person you tag in the comments! taken in Shop7Stories by @pawsupkc

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2 years ago

“America’s Youngest Bookseller” turns 15 today! The milestones have gone by pretty fast but in the last year alone Halley has

- relocated Seven Stories,
- hosted a ribbon cutting with 23 scissor-bearers
- upgraded the @pawsupkc bookmobile to a van,
- took the bookmobile to 52 locations and gave out 800+ books, including 137 two weeks ago @McKinley Elementary,
- served on the @girlsontherunkc Youth Advisory Council,
- spoke to @shawneerotary and a dozen other book clubs, church groups, and school tour groups,
- joined a Chamber of Commerce,
- attended an annual industry bookseller conference,
- distributed $5,000+ in checks and in-kind donations to area animal shelters, AND
- been featured in more tv and print news outlets than reasonable to list.

ALL OF THIS was just in this past year, while 14 years old. Not yet old enough to legally drive but old enough to pursue goals one day at a time… one foot in front of the other. There’s no secret magic here, just good old-fashioned hard work! And this year has seen a lot of work but also a lot of pay off… We know every year doesn’t look like that in the journey. #gratefulheart

Halley will be LIVE @5pm on Instagram today… Giving you store and bookmobile updates.

And, IF you feel so inclined to birthday celebrate with us… the best gift you can give is a @johnsoncountypost “Best of” book retailer vote
AND by
shopping Seven Stories and helping us meet our sales milestones for the week!

The bookshop will be open until 8pm tomorrow (Thurs) and one more reminder… This IS Mother’s Day weekend (Sunday) so grab a card, gift card, or book while we still have creative options.

#happybirthday🎂 #supportwhatyoulove taken in Shop7Stories by @pawsupkc

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2 years ago

THANK YOU 🙏 for ALL OF YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT and support. Yesterday is in the rearview mirror. And today…? Well, today we are getting in some good therapy by closing Seven Stories @shop7stories in a few minutes and going to a nearby elementary school… where we will not only giveaway free books to EVERY kid, but to their siblings, and we even brought some things for parents!!

If you are familiar with our story or how this bookstore came to be, then you know philanthropy and community is where it BEGAN.

The @pawsupkc Bookmobile season runs between May and October. We are getting started early this year because we have some truly exciting things in store. I will not post about the bookmobile here all summer. If you would like updates on where the bookmobile will be going next, please follow @pawsupkc . The bookmobile is the primary fundraising vehicle for the organization, which is what makes our contributions to pet shelter and literacy organizations possible! Books are free, of course, but we have a pay it forward system that naturally evolved and seems to really work.

The bottomline is that we believe books should be accessible to everyone, including adults that have reading challenges, kids who speak a primary language other than English, AND the thousands of adults we run into every summer who say they’re “not really book people”.

The thing is that… we are all book people when we are children and we have ACCESS. We’re also all great artists when we are children, until somebody tells us otherwise.

Thank you for the support yesterday when we needed uplift. Thank you for donating your used books so we can make these gifts to children and adults possible. And thank you for participating in what has really become a circular economy idea for me, all centered on philanthropy. It feels good to have a bookstore and to sell books but believe me… it feels wayyyyy better to put a book in the hand of someone who is shocked that you’re not charging them. It is addictive, sheer joy! taken in Shop7Stories by @pawsupkc

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2 years ago

Halley Vincent shared her experiences, lessons learned, and plans for Seven Stories on episode 17, which is live on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube NOW!

Longtime listeners of KCBC will know how we and our previous guests feel about teaching entrepreneurial skills to youth. It has come up in multiple conversations. Well, Halley is teaching all of us!

Kansas City metro residents, roll out to Seven Stories to see why they are making waves. The hype is real!

Support Halley:
@shop7stories
@pawsupkc

#booklover #bookseller #petadoption taken in Shop7Stories by @pawsupkc

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3 years ago

Are you ready to hear a new interview with the youngest bookseller in America?

A person who has been running a nonprofit since she was 8 years old?

A person who runs a local books+ store right here in the Kansas City metro, at age 14?!

LET’S GO HALLEY!

So excited for everyone to hear your episode this Tuesday, 3/5/24!

Support Halley:

@shop7stories
@pawsupkc

#bookseller #petadoption #womanowned by @pawsupkc

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3 years ago

SUNDAY HOUR CHANGE… We’re going to adjust our Sunday hours in the future to be 10am to 2pm. If that resonates with you, let us know. If you’re stomping your feet in protest, also let us know. But now that we’ve gotten used to the flow AFTER the holiday, this seeeeems to better fit the flow of traffic.

In the meantime ... HELLO!!! Look at these beautiful shoppers I met Saturday!! The 3 of us combined our WASIAN SUPERPOWERS and they even bought a book co-authored by one of my favorite people, @laurashovan !! What’s ‘wasian’, you ask?? It’s white + asian. All 3 of us have a dad from Taiwan and a mom from America. 🥰💕

BTW… I’m trying to get better about taking photos with people when you come into shop. So don’t be shy! Remind me if I forget to ask. I know even with the bookmobile, it’s been really fun to look back at old photos of the same people stopping by year after year as I got taller and we ALL got older.

Don’t forget we’re always closed Mondays. We’ll see you again on Tuesday. Have a great start of your week tomorrow! ❤️ taken in Shop7Stories by @pawsupkc

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3 years ago

After a full year of operating in 97 square feet, I learned how to cope with being tiny. In fact, I learned to make it my biggest asset.

So when Seven Stories moved into our new space across from City Hall and I was able to get real bookcases taller than me, I WAS ECSTATIC! Are you kidding?!

But can you imagine that in the past 2 months since relocating to bigger digs, I’ve had a number of people come in and straight up say things like… “Whoa! This is it?” or (while making a cringe face) “This is… uh… small.”

We all had a good laugh the day a customer came in and thought we actually had a 7 story BUILDING filled with level after level of books. 😂 I mean, that’s STILL funny today!! But the other comments were gut punches. Not gonna lie.

Oh well. I can’t be everything to everyone. And not only is that okay, but I’m not trying to be! 🤷🏻‍♀️

IF you like what I’m doing, please let me know by coming back. And if you don’t, please enjoy walking through that big, wasteful Barnes & Noble at the mall which by the way has a literal DUMPSTER out front 24/7/365 AND doesn’t support local artists, local card makers, OR local poets.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING #small , #local , and #indie … You’re my people. And I look forward to continuing to serve you and to improve what I do. taken in Shop7Stories by @pawsupkc

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3 years ago

by @pawsupkc

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3 years ago