Sounds too good to be true? Yet that’s exactly what fellow Malaysian Natasya Zambri, 24, and her business partner Annie Buscemi, 32, are up to with their latest venture – Bright Ink, a bookstore on wheels.
The Penangite who now lives in Queenstown, tells FMT that the pair met at their place of work where Natasya was an accountant. That was two years ago before they both quit their jobs to start this new adventure together.
“It was in 2020 when we struck upon the idea of a mobile bookstore,” Natasya says, gushing about how living a minimalist life in a van had been her dream for the past two to three years.
But as novel as the idea was, they both knew that without the proper funding, they would never get the mobile bookstore business off the ground.
So, they did the next best thing – they turned to crowdfunding, using PledgeMe, a Wellington-based platform which offers project and equity crowdfunding.
“PledgeMe works in an all-or-nothing model. This means if you do not reach the minimum donation amount, you won’t be able to get a single cent,” says Natasya, explaining how they quickly got down to shooting and editing their campaign video all in just one day so they could post it on the platform.
Their dreams and efforts quickly paid off. Within 24 hours of their campaign going live, they received more than half of the minimum amount, thanks to family, friends and even total strangers who contributed.
“It was extremely encouraging to see pledges and support rolling in from strangers who had faith in our campaign. This overwhelming support and message meant people believed in what we were aiming for and that filled us with joy and encouragement,” exclaims a beaming Annie.
By Dec 20 of last year, the campaign had collected a total of NZ$7,130 and the women were able to introduce the third member of the Bright Ink Mobile Bookshop – a Nissan Caravan.
The next step was to fill the van with books and the two began the hunt, heading first to independent bookstores they knew of.
Along the way, people who got wind of what they were up to, were so taken with the idea that they began donating boxes upon boxes of second-hand books.
In no time, the two had amassed a total of 568 second-hand books – an amazing feat. But how were customers reacting to their business?
“We surveyed the community and most of them prefer the feel of a book in their hands as compared to an e-book,” Annie says, adding that they are also promoting the idea of gift-giving.
“Gifting loved ones or friends with a well-cared for second-hand book is not just part of supporting a sustainable movement. Books deserve to be loved over and over again,” she says.
Besides functioning as a second-hand mobile bookstore, the duo plan on sharing the space with local artists and to promote their work as well as hold poetry-reading sessions, guest speaker engagements and workshops.
“Our mission is to enhance the art culture within the region and provide a wider platform for local artists to express and share their artwork.
“By selling second-hand books from our van, we hope to extend the joy of reading and encourage the act of gifting carefully selected pre-loved books,” Natasya says.
According to Annie, Queenstown is generally regarded as a tourist-centric town known for its adrenaline-pumping activities. Surprisingly, a large number of the folks here are also bookworms.
The reading culture is big in New Zealand, Natasya says, be it kids, parents or the elderly. “I currently work in a library and most family members here have their own library card, even three-month old babies,” she says, adding that Malaysia is different in this regard.
When speaking to FMT, the two confessed to being nervous yet excited about Bright Ink’s upcoming event – their very first opening at Remarkables Market, a local farmers’ market, this Saturday, Feb 20.
From what they’ve heard, customers were already eagerly awaiting their arrival. “We are hoping that the Covid-19 pandemic will be at Level One so this event can take place. And if things get better, we are hoping to take a road trip and head north,” Natasya says.
To enhance the reading pleasure of their customers, Natasya and Annie have made the space more inviting with throw cushions and stools to give a more homey feel.
If you’re looking for a particular book or asking for a recommendation, they have an updated inventory on their phones all locked and ready to go.
Where do these young ladies see Bright Ink in the future?
Natasya smiles, sneaking a quick look at Annie before describing her dream of owning a little bookstore of their own with the van parked outside. And possibly a second van.
“That’s the absolute dream,” says the duo in unison.
For an update on where Bright Ink is heading next, catch them on Instagram and Facebook.