by Julie Helms

Created on: December 24, 2008

*The Purpose

One of the greatest frustrations homeschoolers have is ordering their curriculum sight unseen. They order new from the publisher or used from the internet. The only alternative is to wait for the once-a-year convention where they can actually thumb through the books, however, with great noise and sales pressure accompanying their perusal. Well-meaning friends recommend their favorite books and new homeschoolers order them. They then find themselves stuck with a program that is not appropriate for their needs or situation.

The solution to this frustration is a local curriculum store. Not a virtual store on Ebay or a website, but a bricks and mortar store where people can take their time looking at what's available. They can lay the different curricula side by side and compare them. They can speak with a knowledgeable staff person who can point out the ups and downs of different publisher styles.

The second function of the successful homeschool store is to accept used curriculum, usually on a consignment basis, from the homeschool community and then re-sell it at a greatly reduced cost. This is a three-way-win situation. The owner of the book has a well traveled place where their book will be displayed for sale. Many more people will see it over a greater time period than is possible at the local book fairs. They are pleased to be getting some money back from their original investment. The buyer of the book can purchase the book at a better price than new, often with minimal wear and tear. The bookstore owner makes a sale on a book that did not have to be purchased ahead of time so there is no upfront cost for the bookstore.

Another function of a local homeschool curriculum bookstore should be the service end of the business. Different services can be offered like consultations, standardized testing, informing new homeschoolers of the applicable laws and local support groups, and maybe even providing some classes. These options will be dependent upon zoning regulations and how the homeschool law dictates certain things (like testing).

*The Pitfalls

I have personally operated four different homeschool bookstores in three states. I have also known a dozen other owners of similar stores. Through this experience I have gained a good sense of what works and what does not. It is important to have a realistic business model in order to be successful. I have seen a handful of these businesses fold, always due to a miscalculation in planning.

It is important to

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>