Powell's CEO and veteran bookseller Miriam Sontz is retiring this year. Below, she shares memories, reflections, and advice on the challenges and thrills of spending a career in books, and describes her plans for retirement. (Hint: They don't involve meetings.)
You can take the Miriam out of Powell’s, but can you ever take the Powell’s out of Miriam?
No; happily, no. My passion for the transformative power of reading, my love of business, and my joy in working with other dedicated people were there before Powell’s and I’m sure will remain part of me after Powell’s. Powell’s nurtured my growth and solidified my commitment to this organization. I have been a (mostly) grateful student for the past 35 years. I will take those teachings with me...