Pet Shops

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Originally Posted by KLG

ETA: Saw your initial location as Wyoming, but re-read your mention of moving back to MI. Either way, winters are pretty harsh...what would you do in the event of a power outage? Most commercial spaces aren't equipped to cater to temperature-sensitive animals in the colder months...make sure you have an idea how to deal with such a situation before you ever find yourself in it.

Again, food for thought. ;)

K~

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Kara these are great insights...when you next update "The complete Ball Python" you should consider adding a section on business practices. As many of us would hope someday to have a successful reptiles business (either online only or up to an actual store front) your insight and experience specifically related to issues we would encounter would be hugely beneficial.

Just food for thought:D

I figure about 4,000 in snakes to start with so many bp's, corns, kings etc. Then another 2,000 in other animals. Around 1,000 for supplies. That leaves me with 3-4,000 to take care of rent and the first bit of insurance and security. This is just a guesstimate but it's what I figure will work to get a small time shop going. Quarantine would be in my house. I am just trying to get a rough idea and this is helping a lot! Thanks for the comments so far.

I think you're seriously underestimating what your overhead is going to run. $10k is very easy to burn through, especially at first (and "at first" can be a while!) when you have more expenses than you do positive cashflow.

Again, payroll, taxes, utilities, licenses, state inspections (most states have laws on any sort of animal-related retail establishment), business registration, etc. etc. etc. are all going to cost money, and there will be *numerous* unexpected expenses that will leave you wondering where that $10k went awfully quick. $1000 for supplies isn't going to go far (even at when you're purchasing from a distributor), especially if it's your initial stock order and you're trying to get a nice dry goods section established. Do you have any idea what a reasonable markup is on dry goods that will be competitive w/o leaving you in the red, especially compared to other stores in your area?

Who's going to help you care for your livestock? Are you going to raise your own feeders with which to feed them, or buy frozen instead? Who's going to be your live food supplier for your insect-eating herps - do you know what that's going to cost you?

Not trying to discourage you...just trying to give you a more realistic view of what you're going to run into...

Good luck!!!

K~