Adam/Other succesful breeders: How did you start out in the biz?

i was mentioned in an earlier post. if the mods feal my post is out of line in any way inform them and ask them to remove it. this thred is titled how did you get your start. and seeing as how i just got my bp start i felt i would share.

BTW because you are so fast to speak out. how many snakes do you own and have produced??? A

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Originally Posted by MATT FISHER REPTILES

While I am nowhere near the success of Kevin and don't dream of ever achieving that success or growth of NERD and will never be an Adam, here is how I started and where I hope to be.

Since as early as I can remember I have been fascinated by snakes and lizards. They have always had a special place to me. I remember flipping every rock and board to see what I would find underneath. As soon as they allowed me to keep my first snake, my room has always had enclosure with snakes and lizards I had caught in the yard and treasured them as if they were priceless.

My passion for herps was put on the back burner during my military years, but was rekindled after seeing the reptile display in a pet store. Not knowing what to do after the military, I decided why not do what I love. After owning a few boas, pythons, monitors and chameleons, I decided to pursue this hobby as a full time business. As you can imagine, no one was surprised to hear that I wanted to work with reptiles.

Our focus up until this year was on Boas and Boa morphs and with the support of my wife Katherine and friends in the hobby we built quite a nice size collection of high end Boas. Unfortunately before we were able to get things really rolling, we moved and state laws banning Boas and large constrictors really put a squeeze (no pun intended) on our love for Boas!

After coming to the harsh conclusion that moving again was not an option and having to part with my Boas. I researched everything from Jungle Carpet Pythons, Green Tree Pythons, Jaguars, Bloods, etc, etc. Finally, my wife said "what about Ball Pythons?" and I decided that I would do some homework. After a few weeks of researching and seeing how they are relatively small in size, almost unlimited colors and patterns, tons of potential, and thanks to last year have started to come down to reasonable prices that most hobbyist can afford without mortgaging their homes. We decided to look further into Ball Pythons!

We chatted with keepers, spoke to and met with small and big breeders, etc, etc. Needless to say, we instantly fell in love with the species.

Once certain on what we wanted and the direction we wanted to go in, as well as a business plan that continues to evolve. I began selling off my Boas and current equipment/cages to help fund purchasing Ball Pythons, racks, tubs, the best thermostats and set up rat breeding colony to ensure I have a steady supply of healthy live feeders. I also early on decided I only wanted to own and support 100% CBB Ball Pythons Vs Imports as much as I could in my collection. I started out purchasing fifty 100% CBB females from Mike Wilbanks at Constrictors.com for starters to raise myself Vs buying large females, I'm in no rush and prefer to start out right. Later this year I hope to purchase Ball morphs such as a Pied, Caramel, Albino, Pastel, Spider, Lesser and a few others at the Daytona show or early.

The best part for me is, I do not depend on this to pay my bills or support my family. I am not in any credit card debts or in a hole because of my snakes. Any profit made can and will go straight back into the business, which is more like an overgrown hobby, at least in my case.

I know this is a full time, full blown business for some that depend on it's income to feed their families, which can be a source of stress at times. But, for me it's 100% hobby! A hobby with the potential to support and grow itself to the level I want it to be at. The day it stops being fun and actual work for me, I will sell off all my snakes, tubs, racks and take up fishing! :sunny:



http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...-21/ball12.jpg
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...h-21/ball8.jpg
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...h-21/ball7.jpg

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:rockon:

Matt, I honestly loved this post. I also appreciate the fact that you have alot of passion and appreciation for such a great hobby. To me you have already hit success. You've already been "successfully" breeding some high quality boa morphs, You've got a great team of female bp's that should treat you right in the next couple years! I Can't wait to see what you produce!

Matt, I havent produced any Ball Pythons to date. Which is exactly why you didnt see a post from me detailing how I started out. The OP was looking for input from those who are and have been successful breeding Ball Pythons, you are neither...and guess what? neither am I!

I am very proud of my small collection of morphs, hets an normals. Every one of my snakes was hand picked by me for a specific reason and has a specific place in my projects, especially the normals. ....not just mass produced snakes purchased in grab bag fashion ;) :) I'm all about selective breeding ;)

I guess success is defined in many ways! Some may see success in the hobby as how much snakes you sell or how much $$$ you make. I grade success as how happy I am to be a part of this wonderful hobby and enjoy it immensely!

Again, I apologize if this post was about how much money one has made or was meant for a select group....sorry for posting and if a Mod can delete my posts before it offends anyone please do so.

Thanks

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Originally Posted by djslurp1200

:rockon:

Matt, I honestly loved this post. I also appreciate the fact that you have alot of passion and appreciation for such a great hobby. To me you have already hit success. You've already been "successfully" breeding some high quality boa morphs, You've got a great team of female bp's that should treat you right in the next couple years! I Can't wait to see what you produce!

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thaks dude. :D

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Originally Posted by MATT FISHER REPTILES

I grade success as how happy I am to be a part of this wonderful hobby and enjoy it immensely!

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No problem, I agree with you alot there though... For me I feel the true success is enjoying the hobby passionately and getting the most out of it not so much financially but by being able to connect and enjoy it with others as well and helping people to understand and respect these amazing animals .

I feel the love...Between you two. Its just silly at this point.

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Originally Posted by jglass38

I feel the love...Between you two. Its just silly at this point.

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LMAO....Like 2 peas in a pod, or 3......Hi Gerry:colbert2:

I got started with one ball as a pet then got a hetpied male. And it blew up from there. My father saw a passion in me with my animals and the knowledge to grow from. So he offered to front the cash to get me started (side note dad hates HATES snakes) and is still a part of my snake lifestyle.
I will be adding lessers, cinnis, pinstripes, and a couple of female pieds in my projects this year. Thanks Dad!

My wife is also a big factor in this venture had she said no she doesn't want 50-400 snakes in the house then I'd be growing hot house veggies. Instead I'll be growing bees, super pastels, mojaves, cinnis, black balls, pewters, and so on. Thanks baby I love you.
So you see you must love the animal first and formost. Then you must be willing to get bit, peed on, hissed at and have people go "OH its a snake" :(, vet trips, temp checks, bad sheds, not eating and so one. If you can deal with all that and go to bed with a smile on your face and be excited to do it again tomarrow then. Welcome to Ball Python breeding.

Because for me the pay off is when someone stands there holding a spider or pied going this is the most outstanding looking animal I have ever seen, the money is just gray on the bread.

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Originally Posted by jglass38

I feel the love...Between you two. Its just silly at this point.

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seriously

and you're post was a pleasure to read, matt :rockon: