Grad opens bookstore

The Print Futures: Professional Writing Program has helped Nicole Skutelnik approach the real world with confidence.

Nicole Skutelnik graduated from Douglas College in 2008—and has already reached her dreams. "It all started when I read the first chapter of the first Harry Potter book when I was 12 years old." At that point, Nicole knew her love for reading would direct her career. But she didn’t know it would happen so fast.

Less than two years after graduating from the Print Futures: Professional Writing Diploma Program in April of 2008, Nicole is poised to accomplish all the long-term goals she had set for herself prior going to college.

"I always said that I wanted to write novels, open my own used book store, and write book reviews for kids," Nicole says. "I graduated in 2008. And already I have done every single one of those." Her bookstore, Tomes and Tales, opened on December 5. Nicole says the original plan wasn’t to set up shop until after retirement, but "the opportunity came a little sooner than expected… [it] was the next piece of the puzzle"

Although she already has published kids' books under her belt thanks to the Douglas program's work experience, the bookstore won't restrain her eternal passion for writing. "I can write while I'm at the store," she explained. "It’s the perfect set up."

Nicole owes much of her successes to her time at Douglas. "Print Futures was so much more than a writing program," she says. "I see the effects of that program in my everyday life. It has helped me during the writing and editing process of my novel; it has helped me to understand the competitive nature of the writing world; and it has helped me in the business world. But more than anything, it showed me how to approach the real world with confidence."

Douglas has got her this far. Now she must up the ante of her business-savvy and keep the store afloat. How? Nicole says there will be the incorporation of other products like sterling silver jewellery, handmade cards and journals, metaphysical gifts, magazines and some scrapbooking supplies. On top of that, Nicole says, "I don't have wall-to-wall books. Instead, there's room to move and it's wheelchair accessible. I have a fireplace and chair [and] a chair in the kids’ room, along with a train table for little ones to play with while their parents shop"

As Nicole reflected on the journey she took while studying at Douglas, she offered some sound advice to students with ambitious aspirations: "Focus on your dreams, and don't listen to the people who tell you they're impossible. Face rejection head on and keep trying." She says that the only way to achieve your dreams is to work toward them every day of your life — even in college.

Published March 25, 2010

Links:

Information Sessions
Print Futures: Professional Writing
Tomes & Tales
Knowlton Thomas
The Other Press
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