Amanda Wilson on Books, Business & Community in West Texas

02/10/2025 35 min

Listen "Amanda Wilson on Books, Business & Community in West Texas"

Episode Synopsis

In this episode of the Jack of Oil Trades Podcast, host Stephen Wilson sits down with a very special guest—his wife, Amanda Wilson, co-owner of Paper & Vine in Midland, Texas.Amanda shares the journey of opening a bookstore and bar with her mom and sister, from an idea sparked on TikTok to a reality in just 45 days. She opens up about the challenges of choosing the right books for her shelves, managing a team, and balancing life as a nurse practitioner, mom of four, and business owner.She also talks about why building community matters so much to her, the joy of hosting events like fantasy nights and trivia, and how Paper & Vine is more than a bookstore—it’s a space for connection, creativity, and belonging.Chapters00:00 – Meet Amanda Wilson, Co-Owner of Paper & Vine02:00 – From Meet Cute to Paper & Vine: The Naming Journey04:30 – Inspiration Behind Starting a Bookstore07:45 – Launching a Business in 45 Days10:15 – Learning the Publishing & Ordering Process12:20 – Family Roles in Running the Store15:20 – Building Community Through Books & Events18:00 – The Challenges of Bookstore Ownership21:30 – Leadership & Management Styles23:45 – Creating a Happy Space for Women in Midland26:00 – Amanda’s Favorite Genres (Thrillers & Dark Romance!)29:00 – Balancing Motherhood, Work & Passion32:00 – Looking Ahead: Events, Community & Expansion34:30 – Closing Thoughts with Amanda & Stephen