Today we’d like to introduce you to Jon Arenz.
Hi Jon, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story really starts when I was a kid, because I’ve always been an avid reader. I grew up getting completely lost in books, from The Boxcar Children mysteries to Dragonlance fantasy novels and everything in between. Family vacations always meant packing a book or two (or three), and that habit never went away. Even now, my TBR pile is proof that I’m always chasing the next great read.
At the same time, my parents instilled in me the importance of giving back. Through my youth group, I volunteered at soup kitchens and community organizations, and during high school summers I traveled to rural parts of the Appalachian Mountains to help repair homes for families who couldn’t do so themselves. Those experiences shaped me just as much as the books did.
As my professional career grew, reading and service remained important, but they often had to take a backseat. A couple of years ago, I started thinking seriously about how I could bring those two parts of my life together in a meaningful way, and that’s when the idea for Aveson took shape.
The details were fuzzy at first, but the mission was clear: I wanted to make a difference. What emerged was an online bookstore built around giving back. Aveson donates 50% of profits to help fund literacy programs, and we plant one tree for every ten books sold. The goal is simple – give readers a place to buy books that feels good from both a social and environmental perspective.
I’m still in the somewhat early stages of building Aveson, but I’m incredibly excited about where it’s headed and the impact we can make as we grow.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like any small business owner will tell you, building something from the ground up comes with plenty of challenges. Aveson has been no different, but I’m incredibly fortunate to have a strong support system around me.
One of the biggest obstacles has simply been time. I have a full‑time career outside of Aveson that I’m deeply committed to, and I take pride in showing up for the people that rely on me. That means Aveson is built during evenings, weekends, and whatever pockets of time I can carve out. I have a long list of ideas for how Aveson can grow, and while I can’t tackle them all at once, I’m determined to keep moving forward.
The other main challenge is visibility. Readers know the big online retailers. They’re everywhere, and they can offer discounts that small businesses simply can’t match. But Aveson isn’t trying to be the cheapest option, we’re trying to be the most meaningful one. We price books the same as other independent bookstores, and in return, customers help fund literacy programs and plant trees with every purchase. It’s a different kind of value, and it’s one I’m proud to champion.
Despite the challenges, I’ve never been one to shy away from hard work. Yes, there are days when I’m tired or wish I could move faster, but I’m fueled by the belief that Aveson will continue to grow. Every step forward expands the good we can do in the communities we serve, and that makes the journey more than worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Aveson?
People often discover Aveson through our focus on books and our commitment to giving back, but there’s a lot more to the store than that. In addition to physical books, we’ve partnered with Libro.fm and Kobo to offer audiobooks and ebooks, giving readers multiple ways to enjoy stories in whatever format fits their life.
We also carry a growing collection of literary‑themed products. including shirts, hats, pins, puzzles, games, journals, and more. Whether you’re looking for a new addition to family game night, a 1,000‑piece puzzle that will keep you busy all weekend, or a “book babe” hat to shield your eyes while reading on the beach, we’ve got you covered.
And the best part is that every one of these items helps fuel our mission. No matter what you purchase – books, audiobooks, ebooks, or bookish gifts – you’re contributing to our ability to donate to the communities in which our customers live. It all adds up to a store where readers can find things they love while helping us give back in meaningful ways.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Oh man, this is a tough one. I can honestly say I had a wonderful childhood, but the memories that stand out most aren’t a single moment, but a whole collection of them. I grew up in Michigan, but most of my extended family lived in Wisconsin, and we made the trip back a couple of times a year, usually in the summer and again around Christmastime.
Those visits are what I remember most vividly – spending time with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and family friends, summer days filled with swimming, water skiing, and going to the state fair, and winters highlighted by ice skating and opening Christmas presents. It was full of people I love and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://aveson.store
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/aveson_llc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avesonllc
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aveson-llc
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@AvesonLLC
- Other: https://tiktok.com/@aveson_llc
