For all you Herp Shop owners......

I understand that this question will vairy from state to state but, I just want to know how did you get started, mostly I would like to know what you did for startup money, (i.e. bussiness loan, savings,???). The reasoning for all the questions is (if you havent guessed it) is I intened to open my own shop in a few years when I get out of the military, and I would like to have every thing ready before I get out. So in closing if you could help me I would be very thankful.

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Originally Posted by Tussin

I understand that this question will vairy from state to state but, I just want to know how did you get started, mostly I would like to know what you did for startup money, (i.e. bussiness loan, savings,???). The reasoning for all the questions is (if you havent guessed it) is I intened to open my own shop in a few years when I get out of the military, and I would like to have every thing ready before I get out. So in closing if you could help me I would be very thankful.

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I'd shoot Kara (KLG) a PM...I know she's answered something similar before...plus she's a herp shop owner.

Last I remember from my business classes is that on the average it you should have 80-100k capital to start a business of any kind...in addition to any business loans.. The only major advice would be to put together a very well thought out business plan...check costs....and check again....and then re-write your business plan....lol.

-Jason

-Jason

My friend owns a pet store nearby, and she has some herps. She is mainly into fish. I can tell you, she started very small; sold feeders, crickets.. She had the advantage of having family that owned retail space; otherwise, rent and utilities could eat up a lot of your money..
I can say that if you are starting any biz, you should partner up with someone that has a concrete income that can support you in your venture. My fiancee has a property management biz, and there were a few months that my 9-5 job supported us fully; other months, he carries us by.

and also to make sure you know all the rules and regulations, im still working on this one..A guy around by me owned a shop, and was going to make it a reptile shop, he has over 100k in fines for so many little things.

Oh, definately check out zoning. My fiance had a tattoo shop opened for less than a month or so before the beautiful city of Buffalo closed him down. He had gone through all the hoops; they shut him down b/c he was near a high school.. like suddenly, after he paid for all the permits and everything, it was not ok anymore..
My suggestion: the further your biz is from Buffalo, the more successful you'll be! (unless you are into either property managing, rent-to-own, or maybe payday loans.. but I am not bitter, hm..) :) You can do it; my friend does not get rich out of her store, but it is what she wants to do, and she can get up every day and not go be a slave to someone's else's means.

Thax for the support and imput all. I plan on opening this shop in south GA, and really the only law/regulation (other then the normal biz stuff), is I can not keep or sale native species of reptiles and amphibians. But other then that I havent found anything on the D&R website and from asking around. But thax again for all who had imput on this topic.