Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Glenn.
Hi Scott, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been drawn to books and to the communities that form around them. I grew up moving between states, and books became the most reliable place to find a sense of belonging. After college and an MBA from BYU, my career took me through a mix of entrepreneurial and operational roles—launching products, leading teams, and helping small companies grow. But the constant thread was always a love of learning and a desire to build things that matter to a community.
In 2014, I had the chance to manage Pioneer Book in Provo, a beloved used bookstore with a long history and an equally passionate customer base. What started as a business challenge quickly became a mission. Over the years, we’ve modernized operations and built a brand that celebrates curiosity, browsing, and the joy of discovery. We launched reading programs with local schools, ran creative in-store promotions, and grew a loyal following both in the valley and online.
Today, my work is a mix of bookstore leadership, community building, and helping mission-driven organizations think strategically about growth. It’s been an unexpected path in some ways, but looking back, every step connects: a love of books, a drive to build resilient organizations, and a belief that small businesses enrich the places we call home.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all—and honestly, I think that’s part of what has made the journey meaningful. Running an independent bookstore in the age of Amazon has its built-in challenges, but nothing compared to what happened in 2020. When COVID hit, we had to shut down for six weeks. Overnight, our downtown storefront—normally buzzing with browsers, families, and regulars—went completely silent. It was financially and emotionally brutal. We were suddenly trying to figure out how to keep a 40-year-old bookstore alive with zero foot traffic and almost no certainty about the future.
Even after reopening, we faced a different kind of challenge: people’s reading habits shifted. Attention spans were shorter, screen time skyrocketed, and a lot of folks were simply too stressed or exhausted to read. As a bookstore, you feel that. You feel the dip in curiosity, the slower browsing, the way people’s mental bandwidth shrinks. We had to work harder than ever to remind people why reading—and wandering through a bookstore—matters.
Those struggles forced us to innovate. We expanded our online sales, launched creative promotions, and doubled down on community partnerships. We leaned into text marketing, social media, and programs like Battle of the Books to reignite people’s interest. It wasn’t smooth, but it did make us stronger and more adaptable. In the long run, those challenges shaped us into a better, more resilient bookstore.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Pioneer Book is a full-service used bookstore in the heart of downtown Provo, and at its core, we exist to celebrate the joy of browsing. In an online, algorithm-driven world, we’re a place where people can slow down, wander, and make discoveries they never would’ve searched for. That sense of serendipity is our specialty—and it’s something we protect fiercely.
We buy and sell used books every day, maintain a constantly changing inventory of tens of thousands of titles, and take a lot of pride in the quality and curation of what goes on our shelves. We’re known for having a store that’s organized, browsable, and visually inviting—bright, well-designed, and welcoming to newcomers as well as longtime regulars. It’s a place that feels lived in, loved, and thoughtfully tended.
One of the things that sets us apart is how community-oriented we are. We partner closely with local schools, especially through the Battle of the Books literacy program, and we’ve built creative programs and promotions—Santa Bucks, March Moderation, Booktoberfest – that people look forward to all year. We also specialize in giving books a second life. Every book we buy from customers is an opportunity to keep stories circulating through the community in a sustainable, affordable way.
I’m especially proud of our brand identity: we’re approachable but smart, nostalgic but not old-fashioned, and driven by a genuine love of reading. We’ve modernized a lot behind the scenes—online sales, inventory systems, marketing tools—while keeping the soul of a traditional bookstore intact. Our customers often tell us that Pioneer Book “feels like Provo,” and that’s one of the biggest compliments we could receive.
What I want readers to know is simple: whether you’re a serious collector, a student on a budget, a parent trying to spark a child’s imagination, or someone who just wants to wander for a while and see what you stumble across—you’re welcome here. We’re built for browsers, book lovers, and the curious at heart. And we’re constantly working to make sure every visit holds a little bit of discovery.
What does success mean to you?
For me, success has never been strictly financial. It’s about creating something that has lasting value—for customers, for employees, and for the community around us. In the bookstore world, success looks like moments of connection: a child discovering a story they fall in love with, a student finding the book they needed at just the right time, or a regular who comes in just to browse because the space helps them breathe a little easier.
I also define success by resilience. Independent bookstores operate in one of the most challenging retail environments out there, so every year we’re still here – still growing, still adapting, still sparking people’s curiosity – feels like a win. Surviving the shifts in the industry, the rise of Amazon, and even a pandemic has taught me that success is as much about endurance and creativity as anything else.
On a personal level, success means building a workplace where people feel valued, trusted, and proud of what they’re part of. It means creating systems that make our work sustainable, not exhausting.
Ultimately, I define success as leaving things better than I found them: stronger businesses, stronger communities, and more people who rediscover the joy of reading.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.PioneerBook.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/PioneerBook
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/PioneerBook
