Today we’d like to introduce you to Brianna Mullally.
Hi Brianna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Books have always been my thing. I was the friend who always had a book in hand. One of my best friends still laughs about our childhood slumber parties because she knew I’d be the first one awake the next morning with my nose already back in a book.
Earlier this year, I was unexpectedly laid off from my marketing job. It was definitely scary, but it also felt like the universe saying, “If you’re ever going to do this, now’s the time.”
I knew I wasn’t in a position to open a brick-and-mortar bookstore right away, so I started thinking about what I could do. That’s where the idea for a mobile bookstore came from. Instead of waiting years until I could afford a storefront, I could start building the community now.
I also wanted the experience to feel different. Most bookstores organize books by genre, but that’s not really how I think about reading. Sometimes you’re looking for a book to help you through a hard season. Sometimes you want to better understand your brain, raise kind kids, or simply escape reality for a while. So I built the bookstore around those reasons instead.
Since launching Unbound, I’ve met so many incredible readers at farmers markets, festivals, libraries, and community events. My favorite moments are when someone picks up a book and says, “This is exactly what I needed,” or comes back later to tell me they loved a recommendation. Those conversations remind me why I started this in the first place.
The long-term dream is still to open a permanent independent bookstore in the West County area. But honestly, I love that the mobile bookstore lets me meet people where they already are. It’s become so much more than selling books—it’s about creating community, starting conversations, and helping people discover stories they’ll carry with them long after they turn the last page.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not even close! Starting any small business comes with challenges, but opening an independent bookstore in 2026 definitely has its own unique hurdles.
The biggest challenge has probably been learning an entirely new industry. Publishing is surprisingly complex—every publisher has different ordering systems, minimums, release schedules, and policies. There was a steep learning curve, and I’m still learning something new almost every day.
Another challenge has been helping people understand the concept. When I tell someone I own a mobile bookstore, I usually get a confused look at first! But once people step inside, they get it. They realize it’s more than a trailer full of books…it’s a curated experience.
I’ve also had to learn to be patient. Building a business, especially one centered around community, doesn’t happen overnight. Some events are incredibly busy, and others are slower than you’d hoped. I’ve learned not to judge the business by one market or one weekend.
That said, the response from readers has made every challenge worth it. Seeing someone light up because they found a book that makes them feel understood or hearing them come back later to tell me they loved a recommendation is the reminder I need that I’m building something meaningful.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At the heart of it, I own a mobile independent bookstore—but what I really do is connect people with books they’ll genuinely love.
I specialize in thoughtful curation. Instead of stocking every bestseller or organizing shelves by genre, I carefully choose books that spark curiosity, encourage empathy, and help people find exactly what they need in that season of life. Whether someone wants to escape into a great story, better understand themselves, raise emotionally healthy kids, or explore a new perspective, I want them to leave feeling like they discovered something meaningful.
I think what sets Unbound apart is that it feels personal. I love talking with readers, learning what they enjoy, and making recommendations that go beyond, “If you liked this, you’ll like that.” I want people to feel like they’re shopping with a friend who knows books.
I’m also proud that we’re bringing an independent bookstore to places that don’t always have one nearby. By popping up at farmers markets, festivals, libraries, and community events, we’re making it easier for people to discover new books while supporting authors, independent publishers, and local communities.
More than anything, I’m proud of the community that’s already growing around Unbound. My dream was never just to sell books—it was to create a space where people feel welcome, have great conversations, discover new ideas, and maybe even leave with a story that changes them.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I’d just encourage people to shop small whenever they can. Independent bookstores—and small businesses in general—can’t compete with the prices of large corporations, but we can offer something they can’t: community, connection, and a genuinely personal experience.
Whether you visit Unbound, your neighborhood bookstore, or another local shop, every purchase helps keep those places alive.
And if you happen to see a little bookstore on wheels at a local event, come say hi! Even if you don’t leave with a book, I love talking with fellow readers, hearing what people are reading, and helping someone discover their next favorite story.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shopunboundbooks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/readunbound
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/readunbound
