# How I Built Resilience: Emily Powell of Powell's Books

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2020-12-10
- Length: 24m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-12-10-how-i-built-resilience-emily-powell-of-powells-books

## Summary

Emily Powell, the third-generation owner and president of Powell's Books, discusses how the iconic Portland independent bookseller navigated the pandemic by pivoting to e-commerce and relying on PPP loans to survive an 80% revenue drop. She explains the strategic decision to pull the company from Amazon to protect its community-focused brand and details the operational challenges of maintaining a physical retail experience while managing a reduced workforce. Powell also reflects on the importance of local urban planning for bookstore viability and the necessity of adopting a 'duct tape' approach to cost management during financial crises.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-12-10-how-i-built-resilience-emily-powell-of-powells-books#t=0) Introduction: Emily Powell and Powell's Books History
- [1:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-12-10-how-i-built-resilience-emily-powell-of-powells-books#t=107) Portland's Urban Planning and Community Support
- [3:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-12-10-how-i-built-resilience-emily-powell-of-powells-books#t=195) Early Pandemic Response and Store Closures
- [5:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-12-10-how-i-built-resilience-emily-powell-of-powells-books#t=300) Pivoting to E-commerce and PPP Loans
- [6:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-12-10-how-i-built-resilience-emily-powell-of-powells-books#t=398) Reopening Stores and Sales Shift
- [12:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-12-10-how-i-built-resilience-emily-powell-of-powells-books#t=734) Leaving Amazon and Pricing Challenges
- [17:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-12-10-how-i-built-resilience-emily-powell-of-powells-books#t=1024) Customer Loyalty and Community Support
- [21:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-12-10-how-i-built-resilience-emily-powell-of-powells-books#t=1295) Cost Cutting and Expansion Strategy

## Topics

- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Powell's Books (company)
- Amazon (company)
- U.S. Bank (company)
- PPP (other)

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## Citing this page

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