[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$f4ss16AxsWWpajYY9szy2dUtpp6YjZJE_ZjsRI8fHg3s":3,"$fLku0fVkwar093Jpv58KmBc4TrqEWOEeUvgZRW6i18JI":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"bio_jsonld":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},152617,"Clark Kepler","C",7,null,"clark-kepler",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":85},[14,22,33,44,50,61,72],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":9},1807095,"I hadn't planned to go into the family business. I was at an age where I wanted to go save the world. But at that point, I realized I had an opportunity to help my family rather than chase after a bunch of idealistic dreams. I made that commitment, and I haven't looked back.",4,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":23,"quote_text":24,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":25,"source":26,"quote_tag":27,"commentary":9},1807085,"It was clear to his friends that something was wrong with him. With that revelation, it was good to know that we knew how to deal with it.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[28],{"id":29,"tag":30},4797485,{"id":31,"tag_name":32},14500,"clear",{"id":34,"quote_text":35,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":36,"source":37,"quote_tag":38,"commentary":9},1807068,"We have to compete with them. We just want the competition to be fair.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[39],{"id":40,"tag":41},4797473,{"id":42,"tag_name":43},10689,"compete",{"id":45,"quote_text":46,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":47,"source":48,"quote_tag":49,"commentary":9},1807056,"We were weighing the pros and cons. I was torn.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":51,"quote_text":52,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":53,"source":54,"quote_tag":55,"commentary":9},1807038,"I thought it would resonate, but I'm surprised at the size of it.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[56],{"id":57,"tag":58},4797435,{"id":59,"tag_name":60},6010,"size",{"id":62,"quote_text":63,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":64,"source":65,"quote_tag":66,"commentary":9},1807018,"My dad had a vision of what a bookseller's role in society was.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[67],{"id":68,"tag":69},4797425,{"id":70,"tag_name":71},9078,"dad",{"id":73,"quote_text":74,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":75,"author":76,"source":77,"quote_tag":78,"commentary":84},1807009,"We'll be here selling books and, if you support us, we'll be here for another 50 years.",true,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[79],{"id":80,"tag":81},4797411,{"id":82,"tag_name":83},177,"books","**The Backstory**\nThis quote is likely from a letter written by Clark Kepler, the founder of Powell's Books in Portland, Oregon, during a tumultuous period for independent bookstores in the 1990s. The rise of big-box retailers and online shopping threatened the existence of small, family-owned businesses like Powell's.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nOn the surface, the quote appears to be a statement of determination and resilience. However, it reveals a more profound truth: that true success is not about grand ambitions or rapid growth, but rather about being present and steady in one's pursuit. Kepler's words suggest that the key to long-term survival is not a flashy vision for the future, but a commitment to daily, incremental actions that keep the business rooted.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset today, consider focusing on incremental, long-term progress rather than grand, short-term goals. Instead of chasing after the next big thing, prioritize consistent effort and steady improvement, just as Kepler did with his bookstore.",{"currentPage":86,"totalPages":86,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":87},1,10]