Michelle Tuplin
Owner, Serendipity Books
This episode will air April 24, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. ET
People are searching for authenticity. They want to touch the books, know their neighbors, and be part of something real. That’s what independent bookstores offer—community, connection, and a little bit of magic.
Summary
In this episode of Leadership Matters, Alan Fleischmann sits down with Michelle Tuplin—entrepreneur, community builder, and owner of Serendipity Books in Chelsea, Michigan. What started as a simple bookstore move has become a viral sensation, with thousands inspired by the “Book Brigade” that saw locals forming a human chain to pass nearly all of the store’s books to Michelle and Serendipity Book’s new store location.
In this conversation, Michelle reflects on her journey from a small town in Yorkshire to building a beloved literary and community hub in the U.S. She and Alan explore the power of authentic connection in a tech-heavy world, the challenges and triumphs of independent business ownership, and how a bookstore became a beacon of belonging and a place of community.
Mentions & Resources
Guest Bio
Michelle Tuplin is the owner of Serendipity Books, an award-winning independent bookstore located in Chelsea, Michigan. Originally from Yorkshire, England, Michelle has built a beloved literary hub that champions community, creativity, and connection. Under her leadership, Serendipity Books has grown into a nationally recognized destination for readers, authors, and book lovers—most recently gaining viral attention for organizing a “Book Brigade” where the local community helped hand-pass 9,100 books to the store’s new Main Street location.
A graduate of the Open University’s Creative Writing program, Michelle’s journey has taken her from the small towns of England to the close-knit neighborhoods of the American Midwest. Her passion for storytelling, lifelong learning, and community engagement fuels everything she does—from curating thoughtful book selections to leading local literary events and serving on Chelsea’s Downtown Development Authority.
Michelle has been featured by major news outlets and is widely admired for her leadership in independent retail and community-building. She believes in the power of books to spark connection and transformation—one reader, and one story, at a time.
Transcript
Transcript will be uploaded upon the episode’s premiere.