From Dreaming of Design to Building a Community Through Books
- Oct 14
- 3 min read
By Fatima A Muhammad
I knew from an early age that I wanted to own my own business. Back then, the dream was an interior design firm, and the plan was simple: I would buy a building that would be both my business and my home. But that vision belonged to a world before e-commerce. At the time, I could not imagine possibilities beyond a brick-and-mortar space, so slowly, that dream faded into the background. Still, another dream was quietly growing. I have always been obsessed with books, especially romance novels. I wanted to become an author, to turn the lives of my characters into stories and give them the kind of happily ever after that I always craved. I even drafted a few stories that will never be exposed. Becoming an author did not happen for me, but my love of books and storytelling eventually led me to the entrepreneurial path I am on today.
The breakthrough came in 2020. It was the height of the pandemic, a time of protests and cultural awakening, when more people seemed to understand: Black lives, Black experiences, Black stories matter. I felt an urgency to contribute. For a while, I considered other ventures, even creating cleaning products, since store shelves were empty. But I quickly realized that making something meaningful takes time, and time was not on our side. Then, sitting in my living room one day, it clicked. I had been an avid reader all my life, and I knew the power of storytelling, how books could teach, comfort, and inspire. And now, people suddenly had more time to read. That is when the idea for Sscarlet’s Web Bookstore was born. In May 2020, I got to work. By June, I had registered my business with the state, researched wholesale book distributors, opened social media accounts, and begun building a website. After two months of late nights and countless hours of learning, Sscarlet’s Web officially opened its virtual doors on August 31, 2020.
It started as an online-only bookstore, and over time expanded into pop-up events around Brooklyn. Today, Sscarlet’s Web carries over 2k titles, carefully curated into collections of heritage and identity, book genres, and indie authors, putting diverse stories into readers’ hands. But from the beginning, it was never about selling books. It was about creating community. At pop-ups, I have seen children light up when they discover a character who looks like them, and adults connect over shared stories and histories. Those moments remind me that books can do more than entertain; they can create belonging, spark conversation, and offer pathways to liberation.
The next phase of this dream is to return to my original vision: a building that holds both my business and my home. This time, not for an interior design firm, but for a community hub of learning and liberation. A space in Brooklyn where Sscarlet’s Web can plant roots, nurture readers, host workshops, celebrate Black stories, and continue building connections that stretch far beyond the page. My breakthrough was realizing that the dreams I thought had slipped away were evolving. All I need now are the funds to bring this vision to life. Until then, I will keep showing up with intention, curating collections that deserve to be read, and proving that even the quietest dreams can grow into communities of hope, resistance, and joy.
Sscarlet’s Web is not only my business; it’s the realization of both my dream of entrepreneurship and my lifelong love of storytelling. It is proof that even when one vision fades, another can rise in its place, shaped by passion, persistence, and purpose.
Connect With Fatima