Noting that since opening in 2024, Godmothers bookstore in Summerland, Calif., has "become a beacon of community, creativity, and conversation," Fast Company magazine's "Small to Fast" series focused on owners Victoria Jackson and Jennifer Rudolph Walsh, whose "lives are intermingled with work" in "a bookstore perched on a magical slice of Santa Barbara County, outfitted with cozy nooks to read and gather, a cafe, and an events space for author events and workshops." Among the highlights of the conversation:
Walsh: "We opened the store as a bookstore and a gathering space because it's something we ourselves craved. It's a place to go to dive into the deep end of the ocean. We wanted to create a sense of community around that container; I think there needs to be more of that. People long to be there in person. Our shop is in a beautiful setting, which adds to the experience. It's a place where people can be open-hearted and open-minded."
Jackson: "Jennifer is a critical piece in the telling of Godmothers. We are trying to align and manifest something together. She is also a big believer and a manifester in her own right. Godmothers: how the community has, in such a short time, embraced it. How we have in all the best ways put ourselves on the map, with the trust and respect--really the big warm hug we’ve gotten from the community. I was going to be focused more on the beauty of the space, making it a cozy and welcoming physical space. She is working on the actual storytelling. She does most of the hosting and interviewing. I think we both respect each other’s opinions a lot; it’s a very easy collaboration."