“Book Beau started when one of my signed paperbacks was destroyed in my purse. I was devastated. So, I immediately went online to see if there was anything out there to protect my reads the way other cases protected electronics. I couldn't find anything with the proper size and protection. I then took a beginner sewing class so I could start creating. After countless prototypes Book Beau was born! When I would loan out one of my books I made sure my friends got them in a Beau, to ensure they'd come back to me safely. So many of my friends in the book community loved my idea and encouraged me to start selling them. Since then, I've been so overwhelmed by the response from other readers like me. I loved knowing I wasn't the only one who had such a passion for reading and keeping their favorites reads in the best condition"
Benita Botello/ Founder
“I HAD NO IDEA THE AMAZING JOURNEY THAT WOULD COME FROM THAT SERENDIPITOUS MEETING.”
"So I'm having lunch with my wife Sheila when she tells me about this girl on instagram making padded sleeves for books. She was making them all by hand and putting them up on Etsy, but she just couldn't keep up with the demand. She was even getting attacked online by people who were angry at her for never making enough. At the time, I had never worked on a physical product. I was a filmmaker. So, I don't now what came over me, but at that moment, I knew I was going to help her get out of this. I had done a bunch of Kickstarter campaigns by this point, so when i reached out to Benita, I pitched her the idea of launching a Kickstarter campaign so she could afford to have book sleeves manufactured. I had no idea the amazing journey that would come from that serendipitous meeting. Months later we would be in NY, meeting in person for the first time and celebrating the successful Kickstarter campaign and the new partnership.
Over the years Benita and I have realized the yin-and-yang synergy of our partnership, which has helped us create an amazing community around our products. It has been one of the best experiences of my life and I think that shows in everything we create."
