Dunsborough Books boss Carmen Grau seeking votes in SPARK Business seed fund competition to go mobile

A Dunsborough woman is taking her books business on the road and is looking for public support in a competition to win seed funding for her venture.

Dunsborough Books owner Carmen Grau is among those competing for a SPARK Women in Business Grant, which garners public votes to determine who scores $10,000 to make their dream a reality.

The Barcelona native has lived in the Capes since 2008 and sold books at Dunsborough’s markets, but she recently acquired a mobile base for her repository and wants to travel the region hawking her wares.

“Over the years I’ve had ups and downs with Dunsborough Books,” she told the Times.

“Twice I thought of packing up the stall, forgetting for a minute that there’s nothing I love more than spreading the love of reading fiction and creative non-fiction.

“I’ve had the idea of converting a van into a bookshop for a long time, but it is only now becoming a reality.

“I never gave up on the dream of expanding my retail business, but my children came first.”

Selling from the markets provided a stable income during her years as a mother to young children. She also worked as a freelance editor and writer at the same time while also volunteering for the Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival.

With her children now older, Ms Grau felt like it was time for her to expand.

SPARK Business is a platform which fosters women striking out on their own and distributes grant funds quarterly.

The latest round was open for voting on June 4 and more than 80 entrepreneurs had their hands up for help.

“Dunsborough Books has been in second place for two consecutive weeks, but is way behind from first place,” she said.

“I need many more votes and I’m asking everyone in the South West community to kindly support me. It’ll take just a few seconds – plus two minutes if you choose to watch my entry video.”

To vote before the competition closes on June 30, visit sparkbusiness.global/vote-round-four-spark-women-in-business-grants/dunsborough-books.