RHODE ISLAND YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR

2022 RHODE ISLAND YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

IF YOU LOVE READING, this “story” is for you! You’ve surely heard of the mobile library, but what about the mobile bookstore? Yes, that’s right: a mobile bookstore. The “bookstore on wheels” has been here in Rhode Island for three years now, thanks to young entrepreneurs and writers Alexa Trembly and Emory Harkins. They are the co-founders and co-owners of Twenty Stories, which also has a bricks and mortar location on Ives Street in the Fox Point section of Providence.

Alexa and Emory studied creative writing in college, bonded over their love of books and, for real, fell in love. After graduation they moved to Los Angeles with the idea of a mobile bookstore, their inspiration being LA’s thriving mobile food truck scene and the new spaces it created. With the help of a Kickstarter campaign, their idea became a reality: Alexa and Emory bought and renovated a 1987 vintage van and began driving around LA offering the twenty books each month that they carefully and personally selected. Why twenty books? In large part because of the van’s limited space – and so, too, the Twenty Stories business name was born.

When Alexa and Emory decided to return to the East Coast less than a year after arriving in LA, they chose Rhode Island and brought along the teal, distinctive van that continues to be at the heart of Twenty Stories and serves as the bookstore’s second location during the summer. That is also when they opened a bricks and mortar bookstore that continues the twenty books concept, along with current and past curations, children’s books, art books, stationary, and more. The bookstore also hosts free public programming, including author readings and community events with writers and artists from across the country – because Alexa and Emory believe that bookstores are community spaces and free public programming is a crucial way to give back. Another example of giving back: the bookstore hosts an annual Book Drive to collect used books for two local nonprofits to which, over the last two years, Twenty Stories has collected and donated more than 1,300 books.

But, as we all know, the coronavirus pandemic hit and, like many small businesses, Alexa and Emory needed help to stay alive. The van with its relatively low overhead was one thing, but the Ives Street bookstore involved a different – and larger -- set of operating costs. Would they have to close the bricks and mortar store?

ALEXA TREMBLY AND EMORY HARKINS

Co-Founders and Co-Owners, Twenty Stories, LLC

Even though the business’ gross revenue from its e-commerce store grew significantly early on in the pandemic -- from 6% to 43% -- Alexa and Emory still needed help. They found it through U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan secured through SBA banking partner BankNewport, as well as an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) received directly from the SBA. Sandra McNamara of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program worked with Alexa and Emory on their PPP loan application, and she nominated them for this award. As Alexa explained, the funds from both loans were critical to the business, “allowing us to survive the economic instability of the pandemic and helping offset the financial hardship and difficult decision to close the bricks and mortar store to the public for 8 months in 2020.” Twenty Stories survived the pandemic, and it is positioned this year to hire a seasonal part-time employee for the bookmobile.

“Twenty Stories is a terrific addition to Rhode Island’s independent bookstore space. We are delighted to join The Today Show, Forbes, The Boston Globe, and Publisher’s Weekly, among others, that have highlighted Twenty Stories for its innovative and disruptive approach to bookselling. Because of Twenty Stories’ innovation in creating a market niche, its ability to be resilient during the pandemic, its desire to impact its community, and its determination to keep young people engaged with paper books during this digital era, we are thrilled to recognize Alexa and Emory as the 2022 RI Young Entrepreneurs of the Year,” said Mark S. Hayward, SBA Rhode Island District Director.

Alexa and Emory look forward over the next five years to growing the business’s literary prowess by expanding the fleet of bookmobiles and continuing to connect with both readers and authors in new and authentic ways. Stay tuned for the next chapter of their story!

Keep up with PBN’s 2022 roundup of the leaders making a difference throughout Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.

At companies across the region, notable leaders are running businesses, navigating company restructuring, serving on boards, and investing in growth. The notable individuals profiled in these categories are exemplary examples of the work being done here in our market. Share your success with your customers and employees.

June 10:

NOTABLE WOMEN IN BANKING & ACCOUNTING

Deadline June 1 July 8:

NOTABLE WOMEN IN MANUFACTURING & TECH

Deadline June 29 September 2:

NOTABLE WOMEN IN INSURANCE

Deadline August 24 October 14:

NOTABLE WOMEN IN LAW

Deadline October 5 November 11:

NOTABLE WEALTH MANAGERS

Deadline November 2