business
From family medicine to family reading
■ A California physician opens up an online bookstore for children and their parents.
By Karen Caffarini — Posted Jan. 24, 2011
Making sidelines pay
Doctors who branched out beyond running their practice tell why they did it, how they did it, and what you should know before you do it.
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Name: Bolanle Oyeyipo, MD
Specialty: Family medicine
Location: Redlands, Calif.
Company: Slimy Bookworm, an online children's bookstore. The website carries titles for age groups from newborn to 13. There also is a selection for parents. Prices range from $3.99 for a softcover book to $34.95 for a gift set that includes a plush animal (link).
Annual revenue: None reported yet. The bookstore opened in October 2010.
Why she started the business: "I am a bookworm myself," Dr. Oyeyipo said. "I love books. Now I have a 3-year-old son, who also loves books, as well as a 4-month-old son. Having always been entrepreneurial, I decided to combine a book business with the goal of giving back to the community."
Up to 20% of the profits will help fund literacy efforts in inner cities in the U.S. and internationally.
Why she continues to practice: "I love to practice medicine. I love the interaction with patients."
Words of wisdom: "You need perseverance. It will take a lot more time and money than you think to start your own business. It must be something you really love, something you would do for free, and then the money will come."