Catching up – Gullion signing

The David Gullion signing was a good first run for another, better-attended event.  A couple months down the road, I think.  It was also a good chance for me to practice using my Flip camera!

 

Something to “counter” my bad mood

Ha, ha, clever pun!

I keep forgetting to mention the biggest excitement to hit Light of Islam since…since the last time there was excitement here!

I finally got my wrap counter!  Pix to come.  The front room looks so different now.  I’m moving as much as I can into the browsing room, and facing out so many books that I now need more bookcases.  So there are a lot of physical changes going on at the bookstore, and photos/movies to come!

 

No dinero this time

Got official notice today that I did not get funding from the donors group I presented to yesterday.  Kind of dashed my hopes because they were big donors last year and I thought they’d be on board with something this year.

I have a big day ahead tomorrow.  I want to plow through my desk, my inbox and my outstanding tasks.  Also have groceries and Sam’s Club.  Today was a pretty busy day customer-wise – relatively speaking, that is.  Tomorrow’s my day “off” – as if.

 

Dusting myself off

I don’t think my presentation went well yesterday and I got feedback while I was still there that LOI probably won’t get funding.  I was so so so disappointed but I have to move ahead.

I requested money for marketing and advertising, and it’s an area I really have to focus on.  I have far fewer non-Muslim than Muslim customers, and I have to do more outreach to them.  I also have to begin shifting my focus from donations to sales, and gearing my marketing efforts to that.

An activity I also need to address is the Islam 101 class.  We had created a 12-week curriculum tailored toward Muslims, but have nothing to offer non-Muslims who express interest in learning more in a formal (or just sitting and listening) setting.  I’m thinking I need to devise a regular info session of some sort that I can refer people to rather than Islam 101.

I am putting in an application for the Arab-American Festival the weekend of Oct. 31/Nov. 1.  That should be another good opportunity for exposure and revenue.

I also still really need to find part-time help, especially on weekends when I do things like the Arab-American Festival.  I’m not sure how to go about doing that.

Forging ahead…

*****
Light of Islam is a nonprofit bookstore whose mission is to provide the Houston-area community with accurate and accessible information about Islam and Muslims. Find out more at http://www.light-of-islam.org/.

 

Light of Islam closing at 1:30 today

Going to the north side of town to give a presentation to a donor group.    Please pray for my success!

I’m still looking for someone to fill in for me at the bookstore.

 

Light of Islam will be closed Sept. 23 through 27.

 

Light of Islam will be closed Sunday, September 20

 

Islam 101 cancelled for this Sunday, September 20

Eid mubarak in advance!

 

“The Last Christian” author signing October 3

Houston author David S. Gullion will be signing his new book, “The Last Christian: The Story of the Christ,” at Light of Islam Bookstore on Saturday, October 3, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Gullion is a convert to Islam who was raised by missionary parents in the Philippines. “The Last Christian” is his exploration of Jesus as a historical figure. 
 
A light brunch will be served.

 

Light of Islam CLOSED Thursday, September 10

Light of Islam will be closed on September 10 – please visit us at the Islamic Book Fair!