Meet Alana Cooler | Founder Of Bookish Bliss

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alana Cooler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alana, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have always loved reading and discussing books with other readers and a couple years ago I realized there was a gap for a community focused specifically on connecting book lovers through bookish retreats, where there are thoughtful discussions around books that uniquely fit each book retreat theme.

As someone who has turned to friends, books and writing during difficult periods of my life I saw an opportunity to help others discover these special connections. I researched the retreat space, made notes on my vision, studied platforms and technology, and refined the purpose behind the company too. With careful planning and a best friend who shared my passion, we launched bookish-bliss.com to promote bookish retreats and meet-ups. We curated this space to focus on meaningful connections. Starting my small business combined my love of reading, writing, creativity and helping others connect. My hope is that bookish-bliss.com evolves into a community for book lovers seeking personal growth, inner tranquility, and meaningful connections through reading, travel, friends, community, and so much more.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Bookish Bliss started as my passion project to share my enjoyment of literature with a wider social community. However, as time went on, I am figuratively turning the page into something much more – a retreat-based company founded on a love of books. There were many unknowns and challenges in transforming my vision into a business. But focusing on the positives of the present moment has kept me going. Now I’m excited to take Bookish Bliss in a new direction by incorporating in-person reading retreats. Attendees can look forward to scenic spaces, engaging literary discussions and author/writer workshops. My passion remains sharing the magic of stories and bringing people together. Though establishing the retreat side of things has its own obstacles, I’m embracing the challenge by moving one step at a time toward the future – by offering a unique, immersive experience for readers to connect over our common love of literature.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would tell them they need to come out to LA in the summer – that’s prime time to hit up all the epic spots L.A. has to offer. We’ll start by going very Hollywood with an outdoor show under the stars at the Hollywood Bowl amphitheater.

Then go full Cinespia vibes at the Hollywood Forever cemetery for a movie projection of an old classic movie (don’t knock it until you have been).

The next day I would take them to West Hollywood to indulge in an all-out plant-based food crawl of the hottest vegan restaurants near Melrose and Santa Monica Blvd. We’ll check out Gracias Madre for brunch before bar hopping our way over to Nic’s On Beverly.

The following night I would take them to Craigs and a 1920’s speakeasy-themed joint, for craft cocktails downtown.

To relax after all that, we’ll spend an afternoon chillin’ at Manhattan Beach – kicking back on the sand with some great books.

Lastly, we will hit up Long Beach and let our pups run free at Rosie’s Dog Beach while we watch the sunset over the Pacific with our furry friends.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I couldn’t have turned my idea for bookish-bliss.com into reality without the unwavering support of my best friend Alisha. From our very first conversation about my dreams of a literary community retreat, Alisha instantly understood and appreciated my vision. She listened with enthusiasm, asked thoughtful questions, and offered encouragement every step of the way— helping me refine ideas, work through concerns, and believing wholly in what I hoped to achieve. More than just an emotional support, Alisha contributed financially as well to get our website and retreats up and running, becoming an invested co-creator who complemented my skill set perfectly. With sales experience and emotional depth, Alisha executes our passion perfectly. Her belief in bookish-bliss.com and our shared goal of connecting book lovers grounded me when challenges arose. I’m tremendously grateful for Alisha’s insights and devotion.

Website: bookish-bliss.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellred.bookclub/ & https://www.instagram.com/bookish__bliss/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-cooler-60003978/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550341331038

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TogetherWeRead

Other: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bookish-bliss-texas-ranch-retreat-tickets-689760691797

Image Credits
Natalie Olson Photography