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shopping1d ago
Malibu Bookstore Owner Honored for Resilience After Year of Disasters
- Michelle Pierce of Malibu Village Books was named a 2026 Grit & Wisdom Award winner for resilience through multiple disasters.
- Pierce faced fires, an earthquake, a mudslide, and a road closure that isolated Malibu for months.
- She maintained operations by grants, a GoFundMe campaign, and community support.
- Pierce credits financial resilience and creativity as keys to keeping the doors open.
- Community support and donor generosity helped the store survive the hardest stretch.
- ADP official Laci Buzzelli praised Pierce for proactive, resilient small-business practices.
- ADP data shows small businesses under 20 employees added more jobs in 2025, underscoring their importance.
- Pierce described 2025 as the most hopeless time yet, but persistence paid off.
- Malibu Village Books opened officially in March 2023 and remained a community hub during crises.
- The award emphasizes turning hardships into lasting wisdom for small businesses.
- Pierce urges others to document issues and create new opportunities during crises.
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