Thinking About Starting A Small Breeding Business

I've had a passion for and have been keeping reptiles since I was a little kid. Over the period of this last year or so I've really thought alot of trying my hand at breeding bp morphs and misc colubrids. I've added some really nice animals to my collection. Im basically all set up for breeding now and will be ready for the 2011/2012 season. It's still just a hobby at this point but i would love more than anything in the world to make a living breeding reptiles and maybe one day open a reptile and supply store. I've been putting back money every month and as far as that aspect goes I can make it happen. My family thinks im crazy for even imagining I can make a living at something like this. I know the market is pretty flooded with all the breeders out there today. Just wondering what your guy's opinion is on this. Do you think a 31 y/o guy who has a passion for reptiles like nothing else has a decent chance at starting at the bottom, probably w/ an online store and actually being able to turn this into my lively hood?

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Originally Posted by nor_cal1980

I've had a passion for and have been keeping reptiles since I was a little kid. Over the period of this last year or so I've really thought alot of trying my hand at breeding bp morphs and misc colubrids. I've added some really nice animals to my collection. Im basically all set up for breeding now and will be ready for the 2011/2012 season. It's still just a hobby at this point but i would love more than anything in the world to make a living breeding reptiles and maybe one day open a reptile and supply store. I've been putting back money every month and as far as that aspect goes I can make it happen. My family thinks im crazy for even imagining I can make a living at something like this. I know the market is pretty flooded with all the breeders out there today. Just wondering what your guy's opinion is on this. Do you think a 31 y/o guy who has a passion for reptiles like nothing else has a decent chance at starting at the bottom, probably w/ an online store and actually being able to turn this into my lively hood?

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In my opinion, it would be pretty tough to make a living at breeding snakes. That is not to say that it couldn't happen, but it would take a lot of work, and would cost a lot to setup. You would need many high-end morphs to start with. Morph selection would be key.

Advertising and building your reputation is the only way that you will make it in the online snake business. This takes time. If I were you, I would start off small to see how you like it, and then expand over time. This would give you time to build your reputation. I would not jump right into it. Many people have tried jumping in to realize that it was not what they thought. That is why you see so many collections for sale all of the time.

Good luck.

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Originally Posted by Wh00h0069

In my opinion, it would be pretty tough to make a living at breeding snakes. That is not to say that it couldn't happen, but it would take a lot of work, and would cost a lot to setup. You would need many high-end morphs to start with. Morph selection would be key.

Advertising and building your reputation is the only way that you will make it in the online snake business. This takes time. If I were you, I would start off small to see how you like it, and then expand over time. This would give you time to build your reputation. I would not jump right into it. Many people have tried jumping in to realize that it was not what they thought. That is why you see so many collections for sale all of the time.

Good luck.

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Thank you for the advise...I think ill definitely just keep my collection where its at now ( maybe pick up a few more key co- doms along the way) * grins* and see what I can produce and how it goes. In the area were I live there are lots and lots of reptile enthusiasts and the nearest real reptile and supply store is 50 or 60 miles away....Im just hoping I can successfully breed some nice animals and one day open my own shop....I know it sounds like a pipe dream but it is what i would love to do with my life...thank you for the input....allways appreciated!!

My opinion, you can be successful at anything you decide to set your mind to. It takes time and some patience in this industry along with some luck here and there and the drive to be competitive because there's alot of competition out there. It's like the old saying "Rome wasnt built in a day,"

Where in CA are you located? I don't see many people from nor cal on here, it's nice to have someone else! haha

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Originally Posted by gardenfiend138

Where in CA are you located? I don't see many people from nor cal on here, it's nice to have someone else! haha

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Im up in the foothills in Calaveras County....I love Santa Cruz and the Santa Cruz Mountains.... Your lucky to live in such a beautiful area

My parents use to say " You can do anything you want and be what you want as long as you set your mind to it." " Make a goal for yourself one that is attainable, and don't stop at nothing till you obtain that goal, and when you do set another goal, and another and continue, till all your goals are obtained, then set another." " You will not get nothing in life given to you, unless you work at it and give it to yourself, trust what you can do, know your limits, and strive to stretch your limits, and all your dreams and wishes will be yours." When i was 10,11 or even 16 years old I hated hearing this. I'm now 35 and realize that I may not have a lot in materialistic things, but what I do have, whats mine, was and is my dreams my goals, my life. I have a small breeding program, not to support my family, but to have my name out there, not toe Bob Clark but to be me, so that if I die tomorrow, then I k ow that what I did, how I got here and what I wanted out of life is mine. Good luck to you, Keep your head up, and all will be yours, but as stated above it will take time and will not be yours for the taking tomorrow.

From a dude born and raised right accross the river from you (Sonora/Tuolumne Co.), I say you go for it man. There are TONS of Rept enthusiasts in our area. All there is are a few mom and pop pet stores in both counties, hence NOTHING that has abundant reptile supplies/animals.

thanks for the words of wisdom guys!! it means alot

The answer to your question is: Of course you can. The question that is missing before a really valid answer can be given is: How lavish is your lifestyle? If you are a fairly modest individuaol and don't need alot of non-necessities, then it is a very easy goal to meet. If you require more lavish items, then you will have to work alot harder, but it can still be done as well.

If your passion is that great, then your store will reflect it, and your customers will value it. That will keep the money coming, and referrals will be your biggest seller. There are many pet stores out there, but how many of them have you been to, that you walked out of and didn't have a complaint. Do it better than anyone else, and you can't fail.