The SHINE Series features individuals who I meet on my travels or through my network who inspires me through their mindset, actions and/ or heart to flourish. When I self-published my first book Fly Free in 2010, my friend Thomas said “let me introduce you to Anthony who owns an independent bookstore called Booktique. He is highly supportive of local authors and may be open to showcasing your book at his place.” That was the first time I heard of independent booksellers existing in Singapore. More importantly, it was the start of a warm and beautiful friendship peppered with lots of insightful conversations. I am delighted to have the opportunity to showcase my wonderful friend.
Anthony Waugh Koh – Founder of Booktique and Chio Books, Singapore
Anthony’s favourite quote that inspires him to keep going is: “Give what you can, take what you need” by George Whitman, the late founder of Shakespeare and Company in Paris. Over the years, Whitman’s ethos in life has influenced the way he runs his bookstore.
As an independent bookseller, Anthony feels that we are also capable of giving instead of just thinking about sales.
“I find that selling books without caring about the people is not a journey but a destination. We can inspire, we can care and we can love. I don’t want to be a bookseller that just dispense books. I’m not a machine. I’m a human with feelings.”
As his friend for over a decade, I can attest that Anthony is certainly a bookseller who cares about people and do his utmost best to support and nurture others.
What inspired you to start your journey as a bookseller?
To begin with, I’d never thought that I’d be a bookseller. The journey unfolded after an existential crisis pushed me out of my comfort zone. I transitioned from a salaried worker to self-employed. I ventured into the unfamiliar field of freelance writing. I learnt the ropes and miraculously survived for 7 years. But in the fifth year, the bookstore idea started to brew. I was triggered to act after the closure of bookstores like Borders, Page One and Prologue. Books were my life-savers after I’d departed from the conventional path. In them, I found the strength to carry on. But one particular book inspired me to be a bookseller – Start Something that Matters by Black Mycoskie, the founder of Tom Shoes. I became a bookseller in 2013 and started Booktique Where Writers Shop aka Booktique. I didn’t plunge into renting a shop space right away because the financial risk was too high for a first-time retailer. I started with only a luggage of books and carried them from café to café. A year later, I decided to rent a short-term pop-up space. Being a rebel, I wanted the bookshop to be in the city and not some ulu locations where rents were cheaper. To me, arts should be as visible as fashion. Of course, my rebellion came with a price tag. I opened a 3-month pop up store at The Cathay, followed by a 6-moth pop up store at City Link Mall. As the bookstore was thriving at the latter location, I converted it into a 2-year permanent store. Unfortunately, the retail meltdown happened in 2015. The store succumbed to closure in 2017.
What challenges, if any, did you find at the beginning of your journey and how did you overcome them?
Starting something is always hardest at its nascent stage. I faced rejections from café owners who saw little to no leverage from collaborating with me. Booktique was unknown then and had no track record to back me up. The rejections weren’t totally bad because I’d be unhappy working with people who weren’t like-minded. That would be more disappointing in the end. After I had my first store, the challenges were similar to other brick and mortar businesses. With my own space came new things to learn and new responsibilities to bear. Looking back, I only felt the seriousness of my bookselling venture after signing the lease agreement. It was a commitment with high financial risk. But I didn’t let my apprehension dampen my spirit. After all, it was my first physical store.
How did you get the idea for your business and why did you think it would work?
As a self-taught writer, I was disappointed at the lack of writing resources in our local bookstores. That became my focus when I was conceptualising the first bookstore. A friend suggested the name “Booktique”. I liked it but I added the tagline “Where Writers Shop” to distinguish my bookstore from others. Interestingly, I remember a guy was dragged away from the entrance of our shop when his girlfriend saw our signage and asked him, “You writer meh?” While the tagline kept a few passersby away, aspiring writers were drawn into the shop as a result of that. At the onset, we strived to support local authors with our space – particularly the self-published ones. Without a physical store anymore, it makes more sense for me to work with the distributors. Logistically, it is not viable to deal with authors individually for events. As a one-man bookstore, it is very important to know when and how to say “NO”. My mantra is to be a happy bookseller. And I can only be that when I prioritise my self-care.
What daily habits do you use to help you succeed?
I read a book titled “Daily Rituals: How Artists Work”. To be honest, I was very inspired. But I’m just not the type to follow routine. I like my days to be erratic. I do write a to-do list when the tasks get overwhelming. But I can’t have a schedule that tells me what to do daily. Success to me is personal. As long as I get the important things done, I am OK not being productive. I’m already 50. It is healthier to follow my own pace than catching up with the society’s. If I can survive each day on my own term, that itself is my success.
Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently?
I wouldn’t. In fact, the longer I’m on my path, the clearer I am about the life I don’t wish to live for.
How did you persevere through the tough times?
Booktique was first affected by the retail meltdown in 2015. For over a year I struggled to pay rent. Then when COVID lockdown happened and escalated into the prolonged pandemic, I struggled to make a living. Both events were beyond my control. Instead of lamenting over the damages done, I rather focused on things I could improve on and be hopeful. Doing something was still better than doing nothing and worrying. Of course, there were times when the problem persisted even when I’d tried my best. So, I asked for help. That was a huge lesson for me – one that I apply both to my work and personal life. This is my 10th year as a bookseller. People have told me that I was courageous to forge ahead with my precepts of running an independent bookstore. But in recent years, I began to realise that my courage alone would not sustain me this long. A brave general cannot win the battle without an army to fight along with him. Without family, friends and supporters behind me, I would have been killed by reality long time ago.
What would you like to achieve next?
Besides Booktique, I’ve also founded a lifestyle brand called Chio Books. There are other concept bookstores that I’d like to make them happen. But I don’t know what or when the next one will materialise. I last tried and got my fingers burned. Now, I’m itching to get a book out of me. Perhaps, that will be my next project.
What may be one or two memorable experiences you’ve had while running your business?
I can never forget the day when Popular Bookstore group chief executive and executive director Chou Cheng Ngok visited Booktique. Never in my wildest dream did I imagine that my low-profile bookstore would captivate the curiosity of a giant in the book industry. After I told Mr Chou that I was a former Popular staff during my schooldays, he invited me to contribute my life-changing story to their corporate magazine Popular News. I was elated. The next day, I received an email from Mr Chou. He wrote: “It is people like you who make the book business interesting. With your effort and commitment, I should not regret my 53 years in this business.” Until today, his words continue to uplift my spirit in my bookselling journey.
Your latest initiative Rent a Bookseller sounds intriguing. Could you share more about it?
Rent a Bookseller is a service that strangers can hire me for a conversation. The idea was planted in me after reading two books by authors who rented themselves out. However, I didn’t seriously think about it until this year when I turned 50. I meant to celebrate the milestone with my partner of 12 years but we broke up. For the first time, I ended up living alone. One day, a friend visited me at home and texted me this after she had left. “It was such a pleasure listening to you. It crossed my mind that should you be so inclined someday, I think you would actually make a really good therapist too, among the talents you already possess. You are a very insightful and thoughtful person, you have richly experienced different aspects of life, you keep an open mind, and you are a good listener. And above all, you have a quiet strength and are able to offer a positive take on things, and you have a calming presence! “ I didn’t know that I could say things that mean so much to others. She made me realise that even when I’m in distress, I’m still capable of helping others. Sharing has power. Her words gave me the conviction to rent myself out to strangers. Two weeks ago, I launched the service quietly on Threads.
Which book best describe your present life journey and why?
I don’t think there is a book that can encapsulate my present life journey in its entirety. My life so far has been an embodiment of various existential literature.