Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Souchet.
Hi Cynthia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
During the pandemic, I was in a high-risk pregnancy with two other little boys. My husband needed to take care of me because we don’t have family here. He took a leave of absence at his job. It was so difficult for all of us. I’m a book lover since I was a little girl. But when I moved here I noticed that there wasn’t a good variety of books in Spanish language. I read in English but the language of my heart is in Spanish. I’m trying to find something that can create culture and family traditions. I told my husband about my idea and he supported me in every step. I told him that I wanted to bring variety and something that they can bring entertainment while reading Spanish books. Especially the Latin community and English speakers that want to learn Spanish. People where in a lockdown, sad, and hopeless. Is at that time when Entre Valijas y Páginas was born. my husband and I, love spending time visiting small towns, know their history and arquitectural places. I started trying to attach every travel or road trip that we made in the past with a book from this specific town. That’s why the name Entre vvalijas y páginas (Between luggage and pages). But in the process of my pregnancy, we couldn’t go to different places like we used to in the past. Today is just Entre Páginas because we still traveling between pages in every word of the author. I created a website and we started just as an online store. Now we bought a cute little truck and I made it a Book Truck. I go to different places and Farmers’ Markets. The acceptance has been incredible from our Latin community and to my surprise, a lot of English speaking people want to learn and read in Spanish.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Well, every entrepreneur understands that it is not easy to start a business, one that you are passionate about. But it’s not impossible either. You are always going to receive criticism. These are things you have to deal with. You must to trust yourself and what you want to project, even if they try to dampen your goals. We all have physical and emotional limits so it’s important to make them known. After what has to do with exposing the idea and the order of what you want to do,you face other challenges. For example, in my case, I asked for help from different colleagues and nobody gave me a hand. However, that didn’t stop me. I started to study, to read, to watch videos, and to soak myself in everything that each term implied within my professional field and the one I wanted to undertake. It was not easy, there were many calls, many readings, and searches. Now, after you have everything, one of the significant challenges has to do with the economic part and the part of making the project legal. It is very difficult to deal with employees that don’t have the knowledge and/or the purpose to help in the different departments that you need to complete the permits. It took many months of work to be able to build and carry out my project. Entrepreneurship is not an easy task but once you do it is a great satisfaction. That is why you have to be sure that it is what you want and you love, what you want to bring to people: innovative methods of bringing people books in the language of their heart with the treatment and respect that every human being deserves.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are your online bookstore in Florida and for the world. For all of you Spanish speakers. We have the largest variety of books in Spanish in the United States. Our mission and/or initiative is that you read in the language of your heart. Spanish is passion, it’s a romance language, that will undoubtedly take you on a journey, “Entre Páginas”.
We are your first bookstore on wheels specializing in Spanish books with the widest variety in all of America. Look for the stops of our peculiar “Book Truck”, and be part of a unique experience.
Every Monday in our Instagram platform make interviews with different authors around the world that are Spanish speakers. The segment name is Monday Muse. Also, we have a Book Box every month that include assisted lecture for adults and kids. I have a podcast named Entre Paginas by Cynthia Souchet, I talk about books, self-help, curiosities, and more.
As for me, is not just about selling books. I like to keep track on how you did. I like to ask questions when people are looking for something to read and they are not sure on what to start reading, so I can help them out and find the right book for them. It’s not just selling a book and that’s it. I want you to take the best story with you, enjoy it and reach your heart. We offer free shipping on order over +45.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Well, I’m looking for a permanent space and also, I have a go fund me for make repairs to my book truck. Also, I received Spanish book donations for resale. People can help me hearing my podcast, stop by and buy a book, and most important sharing in social media.
Pricing:
- Monthly Book Box $35
Contact Info:
- Website: www.entrepaginasfl.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entre.paginas.bookshop/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/entrevalijasypaginas
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7MWXRDFACfvraJ6muy6FKw
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/episode/78CqPtrtCcJYW6DHAGlQ0y?si=1337c21808694130
Image Credits
Juan A.
Souchet Pierluissi
Radames Rosado
