Meet Nikki High of Octavia’s Bookshelf

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki High.

Nikki, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As an early reader, I enjoyed reading everything I could get my hands on- cereal boxes, newspapers, books, magazines, and the like. Reading books gave me an opportunity to escape to new and different worlds, to learn about history, cultures and stretched my imagination.

As I grew older, I discovered books by people who looked like me. Seeing myself, if those stories meant so much to me, only increased my appetite to read more. Once I discovered Eso Won books as a teenager, I immersed myself if literature that was previously unknown to me. I couldn’t get enough!

Shortly after, I read Octavia Butler’s, Kindred and I was hooked. To find out that she lived in Pasadena (where I was raised) only strengthened by admiration and appreciation for her phenomenal storytelling. I had never before read a book like this and quickly became a super fan.

During the lockdown, I started thinking about what made me happiest and how I wanted the rest of my life to look. Of course, the idea of a bookstore came to mind; I wanted to create a space that I didn’t have access to when I was growing up in Pasadena, and I wanted to honor the legacy of our hometown here, Octavia Butler.

The rest is history in the making.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have enjoyed a plethora of support from friends, family and my community for which I am ever so grateful. That being said, the road has not always been easy. From a middle-of-the-night break-in to someone leaving dog feces at the front and back of the store, I have definitely been shaken. Add to the razor-thin margins of bookselling, there have been some very challenging times.

As you know, we’re big fans of Octavia’s Bookshelf. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Octavia’s Bookshelf is Pasadena’s only Black-owned bookstore. We are dedicated to uplifting BIPOC stories across all genres. OB was founded with a passion for inclusivity; it strives to curate a collection that spans genres, cultures, and perspectives, fostering a community where readers can explore the richness of literature from around the world.

We have quickly become a destination for locals and tourists alike who seek to browse our highly curated collection of books. We are pros at recommending books for anyone looking to expand their collection; we are a space for the community to gather to meet authors and get to know one another, and also community-focused events.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Yes! I would say that there is no perfect time, if you have a solid business plan and the desire to launch your own business, you should go for it.

I wish that I had taken the time to shadow more bookstore owners and glean a deeper understanding of working with publishers.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.octaviasbookshelf.com
• Instagram: @octavias_bookshelf
• Twitter: @octaviasBkshelf