Q&A - Martin MacPherson shares insights on animation, LAIKA Studios

As anticipation builds for “Wildwood,” LAIKA’s upcoming stop-motion fantasy film arriving in theaters this October, audiences are eager to step into the richly imagined world inspired by the Pacific Northwest. One of the artists helping to bring that world to life is Martin MacPherson, a set dresser at LAIKA whose work focuses on creating miniature environments that feel authentic and visually compelling. 

Before joining LAIKA, MacPherson studied at Sheridan College and began his career in animation at Cuppa Coffee Studios in Toronto, where he discovered a passion for building and dressing sets. 

I had the opportunity to connect with MacPherson through email. In our conversation, he shared insights on his career path, the challenges and rewards of stop-motion filmmaking, and the creative mindset that continues to inspire him after years in the industry. From hidden details to the lessons he’s learned throughout his career, Martin offers a fascinating look behind the curtain of one of animation’s most meticulous art forms. 

What exactly does a set dresser do in stop-motion animation?

A set dresser for stop motion animation is like a liaison for the art department on the shooting floor. It is a multifaceted job that requires a variety of different skills, painting skills, people skills, carpentry, composition etc. Usually on a large project there will be a team of set dressers that split up the work and focus on specific sets or scenes in order to maintain consistency.

How did you first get into set dressing and working in animation?

I interned at Cuppa Coffee Studios, an animation studio in Toronto, in 2009 while attending Sheridan College. After graduation, I was hired to work on the stop-motion animated show “Glenn Martin, DDS.” It was an amazing experience where I met many interesting and talented people. I worked in the art department and quickly learned that set dressing was the most exciting role within the department.

What drew you to LAIKA specifically?

I remember gathering around a computer at Cuppa Coffee in 2009 to watch a behind-the-scenes video from “Coraline.” It looked so impressive, and standing there with so many people whom I considered incredibly talented, watching their jaws drop, was an experience that stayed with me.

What skills are most important for someone in your position?

Adaptability. Most projects will have a variety of different shots with different set ups and often a project may have different shots being animated at the same time. Being able to switch from one shot to another and then back again with ease while making sure the production continues to move forward is a valuable skill to have. Having a good eye for detail and composition is also very helpful. 

How closely do you collaborate with other departments such as lighting, costume, or animation?

Very closely. Large projects are always a team effort. There is always a back and forth with lighting and set dressing taking turns with each other as well as accommodating the animator and what they are planning to do. Knowing where the animator wants to put their puppet informs the dressing so that we don’t hinder their performance.

How long does it usually take to complete or dress a single set?

It depends on the set. Usually you will spend more time on a set when you are first dressing it to develop a look and feel but as a production moves on you are generally making less adjustments and more likely just doing quality control to make sure each individual shot looks the best it can. However, every once in a while a specific shot may require some extra work and modifications to the set that is outside the norm and takes up more time.

How do you make miniature environments feel realistic and lived-in?

Making sure everything is in the same scale and style is usually the first thing you do when trying to make something look realistic. If a prop or object looks like it is breaking the style then it will usually be too distracting to leave in the frame. When trying to make something look lived in, I will imagine myself in the shoes of whoever is on screen and try to set it up in a way that feels natural to me from their point of view.

Are there any unexpected challenges people wouldn’t think about when building miniature sets?

I think one of the most important things to think about when building a set is to really think about how you personally are going to interact with it. Making sure you build it in a way that allows you to animate without bumping into things, getting yourself into a weird position or even just being able to walk away from it without the floor shifting are all factors that will help you get the most of your experience.

 Where do you find inspiration for your work?

I am fortunate that a lot of work that I have done comes pre-loaded with inspiration. When making a music video I usually listen to the song on repeat and let the song be the inspiration for how I proceed. When working on “Ultra City Smiths,” the inspiration was gritty ’70s movies, like “Drugstore Cowboy” or “Serpico,” so channeling that look was the mission while dressing those sets.

Are there any artists, films, or designers who influence your style?

My friend Winston Hacking is a really great artist and director who is always innovating and forcing himself into new creative territories. I find his drive and passion to push his own artistic experience to new places to be inspiring and I’m lucky to have him as a friend. You should check out his work!

What’s one thing you wish more people understood about stop-motion filmmaking?

So much of it is just about problem-solving. How do I make this look like that? How do I stop that from moving? Why did everything shift overnight? There are so many craft-specific responses to each problem and it is always kind of exciting to learn new tricks.

Has working in stop-motion changed the way you look at everyday objects or environments?

Definitely. When you spend a lot of time trying to replicate the way something looks in reality, you start noticing lots of little details that you maybe didn’t before, and suddenly a piece of sidewalk isn’t just gray — it’s also yellow and weirdly kind of purple. There are so many invisible little details that go into every object and are integral to its appearance, but they only really reveal themselves when you’re looking at your stop-motion set and wondering why it doesn’t look right.

What keeps you inspired after working in the industry for so long?

It is just fun. The people are fun. Sharing something you made is fun. I’m grateful that I get to work in this industry because I’m aware of how much harder and uncomfortable other ways of making a living can be. I’m lucky to be where I am and appreciating that keeps me motivated.

If you could build a set for any story or universe, what would it be? 

When I was in high school I read a book by Margaret Atwood called “Oryx and Crake.” I always thought that would be a pretty interesting world to explore.

What advice would you give to students interested in creative careers like yours?

I think that, especially when you are just starting out, it is more important to finish a project than it is to make it perfect. It can be really easy to dwell on all the things that could be better but it’s a lot easier to learn something after you can step away and look at it as a complete entity. 

Also, it is a lot easier to make things when you are having fun and it’s a lot harder to have fun if you’re always wishing something were different. Maybe it is corny to say but it is about the journey, not the destination.

How did it feel when you eventually went from admiring LAIKA's work to actually becoming part of the studio?

At first I was pretty nervous and kind of in disbelief but there are so many cool, nice and talented people that work at LAIKA and welcomed me to the studio. It really is such a rare combination of personality and talent.

How has your artistic style or approach changed since you first started in the industry?

Well, I know how to do more things, so that is a big change. But I think overall I am just more confident when approaching a project and more collaborative overall. A big lesson I learned early on is that it’s OK to accept help when a project is beyond an individual scope. The final product almost always will differ from how I saw it in my head so keeping an open mind and being open to adding some variation and adapting to new developments is always key, especially when there is a tight deadline.

 Is there a personal project you've worked on that you're especially proud of?

I’m not too big on picking favorites but I’ve always been really proud of the way the music video for Anyway Gang and their song “Big Night” turned out. I think it’s a really cool blend of live action and animation and it comes across really slick thanks to the cinematography from my good friend, Ian Carleton. 

What do your personal projects allow you to express that you might not get the opportunity to explore elsewhere?

I like to try and add some level of humor  and levity in my work. Sometimes the subject matter can get a bit morbid in some of the music videos I’ve worked on but I always try to add some color or brightness to bring it back around. You don’t always have that freedom when you are working within a predetermined look.

How does directing your own projects differ from contributing to a larger studio production?

There’s a lot less budget and a lot less time. However there’s also a lot more decisions for me to make. Will I involve a friend? Will I do it all myself? Will I try a new approach? So much is up in the air in those situations that there is almost a decision paralysis. I think this is where the thought process of just getting something done and not being too critical in the early stages really comes into play. 

Many of the animated music videos you've directed have a very distinct visual style. How do you approach translating a song into a visual story?

I like to create an animated storyboard (or animatic) set to the music. It can be very rudimentary in style but I will try to let that form as a stream of consciousness approach while listening to the song. I try to do this quickly in order to not overthink it and then flesh out the scenes afterwards. The style will often come from my stream of consciousness approach and is not really something I am strictly aiming for as I work.

What is it about the world of Oryx and Crake that appeals to you as a set designer?

I think I liked the blend of technology and biology and the intersection of that within the atmosphere of the book. Imagining all the futuristic combinations of those two elements just feels like endless fun to me.

Looking back at your younger self, is there advice you wish someone had given you when you were first starting out?

I think it would just be the same advice, make lots of things and don’t be too critical while you’re doing it. There’s always more projects and there’s always more chances to make something fun and find your voice.

At A Glance:

Martin MacPherson

Occupation: Set Dresser for stop-motion animation

Age: 38

Hometown: Grimsby, Ontario, Canada

Education: Sheridan College, Media Arts Program 

Years at LAIKA: 4

Before: Immediately before LAIKA, worked on a stop-motion TV show called “Ultra City Smiths.” Before then, worked freelance, directing music videos. 

Other Interests: Guitar, drawing, playing roller hockey.

More: martinmacpherson.ca

Memories from the Oregon Coast - Where the Forest Meets the Ocean

The Oregon Coast has never felt like a destination to me. It’s always been something familiar, something I have grown alongside. No matter how long I’ve been away, it always feels like it’s waiting for me just beyond the valley, somewhere past the winding highway and thick coastal forest. I know the coast is near when the temperature drops and the air begins to smell faintly salty. 

My connection to the coast began long before I can fully remember it. Family photos show me at 2 years old exploring tide pools beneath a bright blue sky, my cheeks red from the cold wind while waves crashed nearby. I wore one of those child leashes designed to keep toddlers from wandering away. Even then, the coast felt enormous and alive. 

For years, my family made annual trips west, usually staying at Salishan Coastal Lodge just outside Lincoln City before it was remodeled and stripped of the quiet charm I remember from childhood. “Quintessential Pacific Northwest ambiance and charm. You can do as much or as little as you want during your stay.” wrote Deb Stone from Northwest Primetime. She wrote a fantastic review of Salishan and describes the whimsy of the surrounding shops.

At some point, though, we stopped going. Maybe life became too busy, or maybe coastal vacations became too expensive to justify. For a while, the ocean became something distant. 

Eventually, I got my driver's license, and the coast became mine again.

These days, the coast belongs less to my family and more to my best friend and me. Every time she comes home from college, we somehow end up back on Highway 101 with no real plan except finding a nice beach to sit on. Some of my favorite memories exist in the small moments between destinations: getting lost on side roads, pulling over to admire viewpoints, laughing in parking lots while trying to figure out where to eat, or the time I locked my keys in the car and a nice man named Chris from Port Siuslaw Maintenance helped pry my door open to get them.

Most of our trips begin in Newport along the Bayfront. I’ll drive circles around the Bayfront struggling to park while sea lions bark loudly from the docks while tourists wander between candy stores and seafood restaurants. Everything smells like saltwater and fried food, though sometimes the scent is overtaken by the nearby fishery, sharp, and impossible to ignore. 

We always stop inside Femme Fatale first, a small apothecary overflowing with tarot cards, taxidermy, and strange curiosities. There is a guest book in the middle of the shop that I make sure to sign every visit, no matter who I’m with. Just down the street is Bohemian Candle, which feels less like a store and more like stepping into a Fleetwood Mac song. Crystals cover the main counter while incense drifts through the air thick enough to cling to your clothes long after leaving.  

Eventually we stop by the docks, where we point out the funniest sea lions, the sleepiest ones, and which ones we think we would be. Beyond them, Yaquina Bay Bridge stretches across the water in the distance, towering above the harbor like a permanent reminder that the coast has always been here, unchanged in all the years I’ve spent returning to it. 

Before leaving Newport, we always stop at Sweet Corner for crepes. It has become a tradition. We order Nutella crepes overflowing with fresh fruit and sit outside by the windows to eat them, watching people pass by along the Bayfront. Over the years, we’ve watched the little shop slowly change too: fresh paint, new decorations, additions to the menu. Somehow, though, it still feels exactly the same. 

Some trips take us further south towards Yachats, one of the smallest but quaintest towns on the coast. We stop at the visitor center for free pamphlets and a bathroom. We once visited Midtown Guitar Company, a dusty two-story music shop along the main road. Downstairs smells faintly herbal, lined with rows of guitars and crates of posters. Upstairs in quieter and dimmer, filled with stacks of vinyl records, CDs, and old clothing racks. We lost track of time while rummaging through all the items, until one of the employees told us they were closing. 

Just outside town, Cape Perpetua rises above the coastline. From the lookout point, the Pacific feels rougher and quieter, so quiet you can hear yourself breathe. Waves crash violently against black rock cliffs below while the wind whips through the trees. Standing there always reminds me how beautiful the Oregon Coast really is beyond the tourist towns and gift shops. 

Holly the blogger from Adventures with Holly and Bryan describes the scenery as “wild and wonderful.”  In her travel guide, Holly recalls hiking Cape Perpetua at sunset describing it as “one of the best” she’s seen. She writes about the winding forest trails, sweeping views of the coastline, and the way the sun beams through the trees. 

Other memories blur together across different beaches and different years. During a camping trip with friends, we stopped at Seal Rock on an unusually warm day. We chased seagulls across the sand, searched for seashells, and eventually ran barefoot into the water. By the time we hiked back to the parking lot, our feet were covered in sand and the towels in my backseat reeked faintly of saltwater. 

We rarely head north anymore, but sometimes we stop in Lincoln City to thrift at Goodwill or wander through the nearly abandoned outlet mall, a stark contrast to how crowded and busy it felt when I was a child. Back then it seemed packed with stores and tourists carrying shopping bags, but now many of the storefronts sit empty and quiet. Other times we pull over in Depoe Bay simply to sit on the rocks and watch waves explode against the cliffs while hoping to spot whales somewhere out in the distance. 

Last summer we drove all the way to Pacific City expecting something far more exciting than what we found. The town itself felt small and anticlimactic, but the beach was beautiful enough to make up for it.  “This beach town isn’t just about attracting tourists for shopping; it is about enjoying nature and chilling!” writes Aimee from, Aimee in the PNW. 

Surfers drifted through the water while sunbathers stretched across the sand. I eventually rolled my jeans above my knees and wandered into the freezing water, despite the cold I was unable to resist it on such a clear day. Later, exhausted and starving, we stopped at a tiny pizzeria called Doryland Pizza before beginning the drive home. 

That’s the thing about the Oregon Coast; it’s never needed to be extraordinary to keep pulling me back. 

It exists in small traditions and familiar roads. In the sea lions barking across the docks. In fog rolling over Highway 101. In the cold wind, dusty shops, whale watching pullouts, and the sand I’ve never been able to vacuum from the floor of my car. The coast has changed alongside me over the years, but every time I drive west and the temperature begins to fall, I still feel the same excitement I did as a child standing in the tide pools. 

No matter how much my life changed inland, the Pacific is always waiting.

__

At a Glance: 

The Oregon Coast

What: From what starts as a long and layered history shaped by indigenous communities, exploration, marketing, and tourism, today the Oregon Coast is known for its rugged cliffs, historic lighthouses, tide pools, beach towns, and strong preservation efforts. 

Highlights Or Places Not to Miss: Newport Aquarium, Newport Historic Bayfront, Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, Pacific City, Seal Rock, Strawberry Hill, and many more. 

Best way to get there: By driving: Highway 18 to Lincoln City, Highway 20 to Newport, and Highway 126 to Florence. Once you reach Highway 101, the drive becomes part of the destination, views of the ocean, forests, cliffs, with many great opportunities to stop and take photos. 

Where to eat and stay: See wereintherockies.com and visittheoregoncoast.com

For more information and events: See visittheoregoncoast.com and oregoncoastmagazine.com

Review: "The Drama" - When Emotions Become The Plot

 (impawards.com)

The Drama unfolds like a wound that refuses to close. Beneath the central conflict, the film is ultimately about feelings–how they accumulate, how they fracture relationships, and how forgiveness, when it appears, is never simple, clean, or complete. 

Starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson as the lead couple, you would almost certainly believe it was just a romantic comedy. Instead, director Kristoffer Borgli takes viewers on a wild emotional rollercoaster, and the A24 production quality gives it a campy vibe. I will not lie, you will either love the artistry of the movie or feel so uncomfortable you will want to walk out of the theater–I felt both.

Zendaya describes the film as having “aspects of romance,” but it’s “an emotionally vulnerable ride,” along with the characters until the end of the film. She has hope that the film will spark healthy discussions. (TheTonightShow)

It begins as a meet-cute between Charlie (Pattinson) and Emma (Zendaya); he approaches her in a coffee shop, and pretends to have read the book she is reading. She doesn’t hear him, because she has an Airpod in her left ear and,  as she shares later in the film, is deaf in the right ear. 

Charlie's awkwardness persists, leading to a reset, as Emma asks “Should we start over?” 

It’s a charming moment, but it holds deeper value. The idea of starting over becomes a recurring motif, evolving from flirtation into something far more unsettling as the narrative progresses.

The drama begins at a rehearsal dinner, with Mike (Mamoudou Athie, a coward if you ask me) and Rachel (Alana Haim, playing a character that I interpreted as a strawberry stain on a white t-shirt). The two are also married, and good friends with Charlie and Emm. They also serve as the best man and maid of honor, despite them both being Charlie’s friends first. 

The four drunkenly play a “What’s the Worst Thing You’ve Ever Done?” game, with the revelation designed to destroy the facade of a “perfect relationship.” The game begins to make the audience question the morals of our once-beloved characters, Charlie, Mike and Rachel. 

In a podcast with The New York Times, Pattinson brings up a compelling point that “you want an idealized relationship,” but no one’s perfect. It’s a profound and addictive feeling when you think you’ve found a perfect person and a perfect relationship. This brings up a debate, where Pattinson argues, “If you’re expecting chaos and surprises, you’ll probably be happier in the long run.”

In the same podcast Zendaya notes, “In life we’re going to grow and we’re going to change.” She suggests that it’s important to empathize with your partner while you grow through life. 

This point is challenged by the perception–of not only the characters but the audience–as Emma shares her secret, it’s like a scratch in the metaphorical record. The scene plays out in an outrage, Rachel yelling, Mike trying to calm her down, Charlie backing away from the table, and Emma so sick she pukes. The immediate cut to an awkward aftermath leaves the audience in an uncomfortable skin. 

Nevermind that Charlie and Emma’s wedding is just days away. As the film persists we see how their relationship strains and from then on the story follows Charlie, and how he explores this new information about Emma’s past. I can agree with Robert Daniels from rogerebert.com that Borgli approaches Emma’s character flatly and doesn’t fully explore the psychological, gendered, and racial complexities surrounding her situation. 

Through insecurity and masking, Charlie and Emma’s paranoia against one another spiral out of control. This story unfolds in such an awkward and raw manner that the audience grasps at the heartfelt, romantic moments. Alas, not everything is resolved within the 1 hour, 46 minute duration. Mirroring the very first scene, there is a reset. Leaving me in my seat frustrated, confused, and ultimately empathetic. If you truly love someone, you will find the strength to forgive their past. 

At a Glance: The Drama Starring: Zendaya, Robert Pattinson Summary: A happily engaged couple endure a turn of events that send them both into a spiral the week of their wedding. Rated: R for sexual content, bloody imagery, and frequent profanity Release date: April 3, 2026 Showing at: AMC CLASSIC in Corvallis, and Regal Santiam in Salem Distributor: A24 Rating: 7.5-8/10 on IMDB

I Don't Like Growing Up

I am running out of time. 

I remember sitting at the dinner table, laptop open, scrolling through majors as if I could recognize one as my own. With each scroll my chest felt tighter. Nothing seemed like a right fit, like a pair of pants that you can only stand in. 

Did I want to write for the rest of my life? Dance? Create? Produce? Did I want to learn a trade? 

The acceptance letters began to pile up on the side of my desk, bright envelopes with stickers and a brochure. It was supposed to feel exciting, freeing, maybe a little nerve wracking in a good way … But it didn’t, it felt like pressure, maybe like I was growing up too fast. 

I am running out of time. 

Looking around at my classmates, they all seemed to have everything figured out – declared majors, career paths, plans to move away. I didn’t. 

My mom says I should be in health, become a doctor, a physician … I can barely take care of myself. How could I dedicate my life to taking care of others? My dad tells me to find something stable, something I wouldn’t regret. 

“Once you’re out of college, you’ll want to find a position that will help pay off all the debt,” he said. 

Right … because writers, dancers, artists and all those creative positions make tons of money when they are fresh out of school. Maybe I should find a career that will make me tons of money. I still want to strive for happiness though. 

My chest feels tight again, my shoulders meet my ears, I close my eyes hard so no one will see my frustration.

But I knew what I didn’t want. I didn’t want hospitals. I didn’t want to feel trapped in something that left no room for creativity.

And still, I felt guilty – like not having a plan meant I was already falling behind. I’m so young, yet it feels like I’m running out of time.

When I realized I couldn’t afford to go away to most of the schools I got into, it felt like everything collapsed at once. All those options, all those expectations … gone. I remember standing in the kitchen, staring at the numbers, feeling like I had somehow failed before I had even started.

At the time, going to community college felt like settling. Like I had taken a wrong turn while everyone else kept moving forward. It wasn’t my first choice, and it still doesn’t feel like the right fit for me. But it makes everyone else happy. 

“That’s such a smart choice.” 

“Congratulations.”

“So proud of you.” 

I guess I should be grateful. 

I am grateful. 

But somewhere in that disappointment, something shifted.

Slow down. Just slow down.

 

They called my name, I walked the stage, received my diploma. I should be really happy. I think I was in the moment. 

“Oh yeah, I just graduated high school, haha!” We screamed to the lyrics of “Spin” by Mac Miller. But it still felt like in that moment something wasn’t right, even stepping out of the field in my gown, that tight chest feeling, eyes watered – and not just because of my allergies – everything was going too fast. 

Slow down. Just slow down, I tell myself. But it’s so hard. It’s hard to sit down and think about my future. A future that I have no control over. At least it seems that I don’t.  

For the first time in months, I wasn’t rushing toward a decision I didn’t understand. I didn’t have to pretend I had everything figured out. I could take classes, explore, change my mind, without the weight of a massive cost or a permanent label. 

Now, I’m in school and figuring things out class by class. I work weekends, balancing shifts with assignments and deadlines, and I dance as much as I can in whatever space is left in between. Sometimes it’s in the studio, sometimes it’s in my dusty garage. My parents are proud of where I am now, they don’t have to hold my hand, but they gently guide me with a hand on my back in the right direction. 

It still feels like a lot. Some days, I still feel behind. 

But other days, I notice the small things – the independence, the space to grow, the freedom to figure things out at my own pace.

And I realized something I couldn’t see before: I was never running out of time.

I was just trying to live on someone else’s timeline.

Now, I’m learning to build my own.

It’s slower. It’s uncertain. But it’s mine.

And for the first time, that feels like enough.

A photo from my first day of work

Keeping Up With Kenny-A Reintroduction for Feature Writing

Welcome back!

My name is Kendra, and I’m currently in my third term of my first year here at LBCC. I’m studying Journalism and Mass Communications—something that continues to feel like the right path for me. 

My last blog post was a Q&A with Monarch Bookstore, a local Lebanon business, and since then, not a lot has dramatically changed—but in a way, everything has. Life has just gotten busier. I’ve been working a lot more as a host and recently got promoted to server. I’ve also been spending more time dancing and training, which has been a big focus for me outside of school.

Academically, I’m still pursuing journalism, and I’m now in Feature Writing. I chose this class because I wanted to continue writing for The Commuter and push myself to grow in different styles of writing. I’ve had a couple of my pieces published there, which has been really exciting. That said, most of my writing lately has been assignment-based, and I haven’t had as much time to just sit down and creatively write or free write like I used to.

This term, I’m really looking forward to improving my pacing as a writer—learning how to write more efficiently without losing quality—and continuing to strengthen my interviewing skills. I want to become more confident in conversations and better at pulling meaningful stories out of the people I talk to.

My goals this term: 

1. Write more consistently outside of assignments, even if it’s just short free writes or ideas, so I don’t lose that creative side of my voice.

2. Continue contributing to The Commuter by pitching and publishing at least one or two more pieces this term.

3. Improve my writing speed and confidence, especially when working on deadlines and interviews.

I’m excited to keep growing this term and see how much stronger my writing becomes by the end of it.

Q&A - Sydney Graves Owner of Monarch Bookstore

LEBANON -- Monarch Books owner Sydney Graves runs an independent bookstore in downtown Lebanon offering more than 7,000 new and used books alongside gifts, games, puzzles and products from local artists and artisans. Graves opened the store in April 2024. Her mother, Monica, helps with the shop and sets up the storefront window displays when Graves is away.

Graves, 20, spoke about opening her bookstore, the challenges of running a small business and the role she hopes the shop will play in the community.

Are you originally from Lebanon?

Yeah, I grew up here. My entire family lives in Lebanon, too. I was homeschooled. So I did sports through the high school, and I did my freshmen year there, but it was during COVID, so it was all online.

Are you currently in school?

I’m getting my bachelor’s in business right now through an online university. I’m in my 1st year, it’s amazing. I took a little gap year to work on this. I went to college while I was in high school at LBCC and almost got my associate (degree), and then I got busy.

Were there any previous jobs that prepared you for starting a business?

Not really. I worked at Bloom Tea House before for like two or three years, and that really helped me with customer service, ‘cause I had to work the front. It was like waitressing and stuff. Before that I was very introverted. I’m still a bit introverted, but I’m much better at conversation now. Just knowing how to interact with customers and working in another small business kind of, like, you see how it’s run and things like that. So I’d say, for the most part, just other jobs.

What was your inspiration when opening Monarch Books?

Books. I just love books, and I love colorful things. So I love the artwork I get to do behind it, and the decorating, and there’s still a lot more I want to do. So I just like the creative aspect of it. It’s kind of my own little place, I can do whatever I want with it. I love meeting new people too, and hearing all their stories. Everything around it, I get to curate which is nice. It’s a creative outlet for me as well as work.

What was your inspiration for the name?

It was actually kind of funny, ‘cause have you seen the butterfly mural on the side of my wall? So when I first opened, that was being put into the works. They were getting an artist to do that, and they originally told me it was going to be a Monarch butterfly. I’m like, okay, so cute. There are gonna be these little Monarch butterflies on the side of my building. I’ll name it “Monarch Books,” I feel like it’s got multiple meanings too, so it’s just like a fun name and it’s nice to brand with. I can just pick a lot of Monarch things as my brand. Then it ended up being a Painted Lady butterfly. I was like, you know what, it still works.

What does your family think about your small business?

They actually love it, which is so funny. When I first started to open this, I was like, I don’t want to do it guys, because no one buys books anymore. They’re like, no you have to. You have to go live out your little hallmark dream or whatever. They’re all really supportive, which is nice. I had a couple of family members who were like, I don’t think that’s a very smart Sydney. But for the most part they love it, and they all come hang out here. A lot of them have their stuff here, like my sister sells plants and things she makes here. It’s a whole family affair, I guess.

What was your biggest surprise when starting this business?

How many people came in. My first day I opened, it was filled all day, and I barely had anything. It was, not barely anything, but a lot less in here than there is now. I had so many people come in, people I didn’t even know, supporting me. I was like, wow, it just surprised me because I had no idea how many people were gonna come in. I didn’t know people still read. So I was like, hey, this might work. It’s been awesome to see though.

What makes you unique compared to other bookstores?

It’s like new and used books, and I try to curate it to where it has a lot of local vendors, which most small businesses do, which is awesome. What I try to do differently with my bookstore is instead of it being books everywhere, I like to keep it very creative and colorful, and I want to eventually add a local artist section and really focus on the artsy side of it and not so much just be books. So kind of like having different outlets as well.

How do you compete or compare with big corporations like Barnes & Noble or Amazon?

It’s really hard obviously, because people like things very quick and fast paced nowadays and they want to be able to buy something at the click of a button. I feel like the only way I can really compare is a lot of people in local communities get really fed up with big corporations and stuff. And so they want to support small businesses. That’s really my customer base. People who are ordering books from me don’t care how long it takes because they want to support me and have money going into their community and not big corporations. So it’s obvious I can’t really compete with the speed or anything, but I can compete on a level that’s face to face and we have that connection.

Where do you source your books and other products from?

I’ve got lots of local vendors in here. I get a lot of stuff from wholesale, small business, Ingram, and Faire. If I can find it through a local vendor, I’d much prefer that than getting it off Faire, because it’s just so special to see everyone, especially artists creating something different. They all have backstories behind them, and there’s always a story to tell when you’re selling someone that. And once I start expanding, I’d love to get more.

Usually new books will come from Ingram and Faire. Used books, that’s like all over. I’ll go thrifting or I’ll get donations or I’ll do trade-ins. My friends at the library and I will trade off books. So there’s like a lot of different ways—I’ll do garage sales. My family members will donate them, so kind of everywhere. No shortage of books in the world. That’s for sure.

What is the biggest challenge you face today? How are you overcoming it?

My biggest challenge has probably been staying open all the time. I have a lot of other stuff I have to do, so having consistent hours and making sure I’m meeting every customer’s needs. There’s just one of me. I don’t really have people helping me. My mom will come and help sometimes, so I don’t overuse her. Being at the front of it and then running all the back stuff, doing orderings and cleaning, focusing on where my resources are going. Like, should I use this to improve, like build new shelves? Or should I just do a big order or plan an event? So just deciding where things get to go, I guess.

How do you balance your personal life with owning your own business?

That one’s so hard, because there is a lot of other stuff I do in my personal life. I have a couple other side jobs I do. So it definitely is hard sometimes. That’s why I’m looking to hire some people eventually, because it just gets to be a lot. But mostly it’s like, I get Sundays and Mondays off, so usually I use Sundays to reset and Mondays to either go volunteer with someone or hang out with my family. So it’s got a good balance.

What other side jobs are you affiliated with?

I do modeling on the side. So that can take up a lot of time. It’s very sporadic sometimes. I’ll have a lot of busy seasons and I’ll have seasons where I don’t book anything for a while or there’ll be times where I’m out of state for a long time. So it’s just kind of balancing that and never really knowing exactly what my schedule is. I’m also working on my art business on the side, because I sell my artwork too. Getting time to find how to be creative with that and find time to paint and to order prints and stuff like that.

Do you think books are a dying media?

I don’t think so, just because BookTok and Bookstagram are such a trend, like up and coming now. There’s really nothing you can replace a physical book with. Obviously there’s Kindle and audiobooks, which is nice, but I get a lot of people in here like, “Yeah I’ll do Kindle sometimes, and I’ll do audiobooks sometimes, but there’s really nothing better than the actual book.” Also with Kindle and audiobooks, you can’t display it on your shelf like a cute little trophy book. A lot of people who come in here to shop actually will read it on Kindle and then buy the physical book if they like it because they want the actual book itself. That’s why I think it will never really go out of style because books are just classic.

What is your opinion on the book ban?

I’d say, especially with the classics and things, obviously it’s a different time when those were written. I’m a firm believer in you should be able to access all sorts of books and people should be able to access those books, even if they have different opinions or languages in them. Because if you’re banning books or getting rid of books from a certain narrative, it’s basically taking away a little bit of your freedom. I feel like even if it’s something you don’t necessarily agree with, it shouldn’t be something that’s taken away because you should have the variety of different opinions.

What is your favorite book?

I really like the Six of Crows duology by Leo Bardugo. There’s a lot, but that’s one of my top ones.

If you were a book what book would you be?

I don’t even know, ‘cause I feel like it’s hard to see what yourself looks like to other people. Probably some sort of fairy fantasy book… So maybe, Holly Black’s Cruel Prince or something. That’s another one of my favorites.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own business?

Just go for it. You literally never know how to start when you start. Start with what you have, and then build from there. You’re never gonna know. I learn new things every single day. I learn how to interact differently with customers. So I probably won’t know until I’m like ninety.

Any upcoming events?

There’s always Friday events downtown. What I’m working on is getting things kind of more set up in here, ‘cause there’s still so much I want to do. This back room, it’s gonna look different, so I can start hosting more events, because it’s hard for me to plan events when it’s not what I want it to look like in here. I do have a flower kind of workshop going on. It’s gonna be March 28. A lot of the time I’ll just have vendors or people who are interested come and they’ll host their own events in here and I’ll let them use my space. Then I have my two-year party coming up on April 15, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

What future do you see for this business?

I keep seeing it grow. I’d love to expand eventually, maybe add on to it. I want to be able to help others through it and be able to hire people or do more community events and things like that. I’d like to see it expand for sure. I think definitely for sure in the future, I just want to see where it goes, where God takes it. I’m definitely a very spiritually led person. I don’t have a ton of set plans in the future because whatever God wants me to do, that’s where I’ll be.

What’s your favorite part about your job?

Getting to do what I want. I kind of always knew I wanted to have my own small business. Not that I don’t like working for people, but it’s just nice to have freedom to think and to get to plan your own schedule out and to decide what to do at work instead of being told. I just really enjoy getting to decide what I do everyday. The downfall of that is I do have to be disciplined. I do have to make sure I’m getting things done, so that’s something I have to be careful with.

How do you define success beyond revenue or growth?

Honestly, happiness. As long as you’re enjoying what you do and you come to work everyday excited, that’s what success is to me. I love what I do and I love getting to interact with people and getting to be creative.

What impact do you hope your shop has on the community?

Getting kids to read more. I get a lot of parents coming in here; “I’m trying to get my kids to read more, but I don’t know what they like or they’re not into reading.” I feel like when I was a kid I read so much and it helped a lot with being creative and learning in general. So definitely getting more books out to the community for kids. Having a place where people can come and feel inspired. Eventually I want to turn this back room into a place people can study and just chill, sort of like a comforting place everyone’s welcome in.

How has owning a bookstore changed you personally?

Every single way. I feel like I’ve learned so much in the last two years. I’ll look back at myself before I owned this and like, that’s a completely different person. And I’m still the same personality and stuff, but I’m able to interact with people so much better than I did before. I’m much more confident than I was before. I’m a lot better with boundaries and saying no to things because I get a lot of questions, like people trying to sell me stuff in here all the time. I’m better with organizing. I feel like there’s so many positive ways it’s changed me. I’m so grateful to have it because it’s not only something I love to do, but something that’s improving me everyday too.

Sydney Graves

Age: 20

Occupation: Book seller

Interests: Selling books, modeling, art

Hometown: Lebanon Oregon

Business Established: April 2024

Business Location: 696 S. Main St. Lebanon Oregon

Hours: Tue-Fri 11 am - 6 pm, Sat 10 am - 7 pm (Closed Sun/Mon)

Phone: (458) 223-7263

Website: Monarch Books Website