An Idea...

My roommates and I had an idea one night while feeding the snake. I said "We should open a petstore." more in joking than anything since we have so many animals. My fiance and my two roommates stopped and started at me for a second and one of my roommates said "Thats a great idea, we should do it."

Our plan...

We would produce a lot of our own animals. We would breed our own ball pythons and other kinds of snakes (buying from other breeders the snakes we do not care to breed, like burmese and Emerald Tree boas, ect) We would also breed our own small mammals for both feeders as well as pets. I would be in charge of breeding reptiles and small mammals. One of my roommates would deal primarily in birds. My fiance would deal with the computer aspect of it and my other roommate would handle a lot of the business end.

As for animals like ferrets, cats, dogs, ect. (even reptiles, birds, and small mammals when the need arrises) we would take them in from rescues and find them homes through the petstore. We would also give you a discount on supplies when you adopt the animal. That way, animals in need of a good home have more of a chance of getting adopted. We would sell only enclosures that are approved for the animal. (We would not sell those little cup sized betta bowls. Those are just cruel) and we would provide the customer with as much information as we can about the animal they wish to purchase.

Basically, we would be the good petstore. The petstore that knows what they are doing and will give you the right information. If we don't know the answer to your question, we will find out. We will never give out false information about an animal just to get a sale. We would also only sell proper diets for the animals (I've seen too many horrible problems with ferrets because of bad diets)

This is just an idea for now. Years from actually doing it. But I like the idea of a petstore where no one lies just to get a sale.

I would first get experience in the pet retail world, and perhaps even take some business classes. And then, save a TON of captial and write a business plan that covers absolutely every aspect of the business.

Not sayings it's NOT doable, but definitely shouldn't be something you decide to do on a whim. Where's your competition, where's your market, how do you fit into that market? What are the county or states regulations for that type of business?

Tons of questions to research. I'm finishing up my Bachelors in Business Admin with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship. I'm hoping in the not to distant future to start a retail venture of my own. I already have a rough business plan laid out, but am no where near ready to undertake that sort of venture.

This is why I said it was years from being a reality. I definitely want to work in a petstore part time for a while and save up. I would love to work in a petstore dealing with reptiles. Maybe the one we are going to today is hiring.

It's a good idea to have a dream, and even better to make that a reality. The key is through learning businesses, and even better doing just like Jason.

The problem arises when that dream is rushed and hacked out. Location, supply and (mostly) demand, and the issue with that large sum of start up capitol out of your own pocket. (A LOT of money).

Also, many petstores really rely on supply and food sales to make it. Animals are more of an after thought.

It's okay, I dream and talk about having my own store someday, although the chances are slim to none while I live here. There just isn't the demand for it, and I also don't have the money for it either.

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

It's a good idea to have a dream, and even better to make that a reality. The key is through learning businesses, and even better doing just like Jason.

The problem arises when that dream is rushed and hacked out. Location, supply and (mostly) demand, and the issue with that large sum of start up capitol out of your own pocket. (A LOT of money).

Also, many petstores really rely on supply and food sales to make it. Animals are more of an after thought.

It's okay, I dream and talk about having my own store someday, although the chances are slim to none while I live here. There just isn't the demand for it, and I also don't have the money for it either.

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Bingo! As much as I dislike selling dog and cat specialty items, as my focus is in aquatics and reptiles (of course) to make ends meat at the end of the day dogs and cats are going to be the backbone of the business.

I recently had my hours, at the aquatic shop in which I work, slashed in half. The business is just not there in such a niche specific business. You HAVE HAVE HAVE to make your capital work for you.

And unfortunately the big box stores have the market in their pocket because most people are lazy... they want a place they can buy crickets, fish for their aquarium, and cat or dog food. And with gas prices right now, you have to give people a reason to drive to your family owned shop VS. wal-mart, target, petco, petsmart.

I have the same feelings as Connie, the city in which I live reptiles are still a taboo pet, and people are SO conservative with their money. They'll spend that money on a ridiculous dog sweater because they treat it like a child, but won't shell out the money on "auxiliary" expenses. In order to make the type of shop I want work, I'll have to live in a different location.

I will do a lot of research and take many many classes before every starting up that dream. But I can dream. Good petstores are so few and far between these days. They are being taken over by cheap crappy stores or large chain stores. And they are all in it for the money. I'm in it for the animals. I would rather clean rat poo and snakes urates all day then work at a desk the rest of my life.

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Originally Posted by jknudson

Bingo! As much as I dislike selling dog and cat specialty items, as my focus is in aquatics and reptiles (of course) to make ends meat at the end of the day dogs and cats are going to be the backbone of the business.

I recently had my hours, at the aquatic shop in which I work, slashed in half. The business is just not there in such a niche specific business. You HAVE HAVE HAVE to make your capital work for you.

And unfortunately the big box stores have the market in their pocket because most people are lazy... they want a place they can buy crickets, fish for their aquarium, and cat or dog food. And with gas prices right now, you have to give people a reason to drive to your family owned shop VS. wal-mart, target, petco, petsmart.

I have the same feelings as Connie, the city in which I live reptiles are still a taboo pet, and people are SO conservative with their money. They'll spend that money on a ridiculous dog sweater because they treat it like a child, but won't shell out the money on "auxiliary" expenses. In order to make the type of shop I want work, I'll have to live in a different location.

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Agree!

Cat and dog stuff is the main business for most petstores. My dads feedstore is one of them! They added the dog cat side to there store, and now they are pulling in 4-5 grand days! Which is pretty good for a small feed store.

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Originally Posted by stangs13

Agree!

Cat and dog stuff is the main business for most petstores. My dads feedstore is one of them! They added the dog cat side to there store, and now they are pulling in 4-5 grand days! Which is pretty good for a small feed store.

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The downside is that you make so very little on the food! But income is income!:gj:

Yes, the sky is the limit :) I have a friend who works fulltime and runs a pet store out of a building that he owns. He is doing great, because he has his regular (good) paycheck in addition to anything that the store might make. Of course he has overhead, etc. He mainly breeds, sells and trades snakes and other herps, and he is staying afloat from what I can see :)
You have to be a certain type of risk taker to start a biz. I never thought I was, but within a few years my husband and I WILL have our own tattoo shop opened.. it just has to happen :) However you do not want to go off half-cocked, so I would research demographics, location potential and all of that good stuff now. And you could go about stockpiling things slowly such as a cash register (they're uber expensive!) caging, etc. It is not impossible.

Wonderful dream, but it will take a LOT of patience, effort, and schooling to get it right!

Good luck and make sure you know where you intend to make most of your money before you dive into it! :]

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Originally Posted by jknudson

The downside is that you make so very little on the food! But income is income!:gj:

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You would be surprised! We sell so much horse feed, dog food, cattle, hog, sheep, goat, chicken, all stock. Thats both on the show animals side and just the production side. Its all PMI stuff. This guy doesn't mess around with anything. They are in a proses of getting another feedstore or two. And they have already bought a mulching company that was going out of business. I can't wait to start working there in a few months when footballs over with!!!

Can you say RBI racks? :D

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Originally Posted by stangs13

You would be surprised! We sell so much horse feed, dog food, cattle, hog, sheep, goat, chicken, all stock. Thats both on the show animals side and just the production side. Its all PMI stuff. This guy doesn't mess around with anything. They are in a proses of getting another feedstore or two. And they have already bought a mulching company that was going out of business. I can't wait to start working there in a few months when footballs over with!!!

Can you say RBI racks? :D

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There is very little markup on most feeds Justin, the profit margins are slim. And the food takes up a TON of space, so the only way you do make a lot of money is if you do move a ton of food like your father's store.

Glad to hear he's doing well... get your butt working there so you can amp up that collection.

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Originally Posted by jknudson

There is very little markup on most feeds Justin, the profit margins are slim. And the food takes up a TON of space, so the only way you do make a lot of money is if you do move a ton of food like your father's store.

Glad to hear he's doing well... get your butt working there so you can amp up that collection.

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Lol. Im tired of looking at my normals..Thats why I got a job. I have to wait until football is over though..boss said. Maybe I can talk him into after 2-a-days?


They do have a Warehouse that is ajacent(sp) to there store. It has more sq ft than the store, but it still isnt completely filled and it has an office and a loft. They have alot of room to put even more feeds, the thing is is that they don't need anymore feeds, they are very success full as is. And they also sell two different types of bedding, so space is needed for sure! And its hard to come by when starting a business now-a-days. They also have pads for semi trailers full of hay.

And yes, for a bag of Purina fitters edge show cattle feed it is 13.50 or something around there, and since my dad gets it at cost it is around 10.00. Very little mark up, but some of the dog food is actually marked up 100%, it still sells good too!

What business are you wanting sto start jason?

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Originally Posted by stangs13

Lol. Im tired of looking at my normals..Thats why I got a job. I have to wait until football is over though..boss said. Maybe I can talk him into after 2-a-days?


They do have a Warehouse that is ajacent(sp) to there store. It has more sq ft than the store, but it still isnt completely filled and it has an office and a loft. They have alot of room to put even more feeds, the thing is is that they don't need anymore feeds, they are very success full as is. And they also sell two different types of bedding, so space is needed for sure! And its hard to come by when starting a business now-a-days. They also have pads for semi trailers full of hay.

And yes, for a bag of Purina fitters edge show cattle feed it is 13.50 or something around there, and since my dad gets it at cost it is around 10.00. Very little mark up, but some of the dog food is actually marked up 100%, it still sells good too!

What business are you wanting sto start jason?

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An exotics shop of course (Reptiles, Amphibians, Exotic Small Mammals, a few different birds, little bit of saltwater reef stuff, and oodles and oodles of higher end hobbyist products and dry goods.). It will be a Retail storefront and also cater to customers online for certain categories (Reptiles, Fish, Corals, and drygoods).

I honestly think to be successful these days you have to have a STRONG online presence, even if you're a local mom and pop shop not selling products online.

Another aspect I've been thinking is to start an exotic animal expo, and have the store be the major sponsor. Locally, it will drive a bit of interest in the alternative pets.

It's still a dream in the works, but I'm definitely NOT located where I want to stay forever. I'm planning on moving south.

My personal ball python collection will alway be run on outside the business (catering mostly to internet sales), but the retail will be an outlet for any normal animals that I produce, or lower cost morphs like pastels.

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Originally Posted by jknudson

An exotics shop of course (Reptiles, Amphibians, Exotic Small Mammals, a few different birds, little bit of saltwater reef stuff, and oodles and oodles of higher end hobbyist products and dry goods.). It will be a Retail storefront and also cater to customers online for certain categories (Reptiles, Fish, Corals, and drygoods).

I honestly think to be successful these days you have to have a STRONG online presence, even if you're a local mom and pop shop not selling products online.

Another aspect I've been thinking is to start an exotic animal expo, and have the store be the major sponsor. Locally, it will drive a bit of interest in the alternative pets.

It's still a dream in the works, but I'm definitely NOT located where I want to stay forever. I'm planning on moving south.

My personal ball python collection will alway be run on outside the business (catering mostly to internet sales), but the retail will be an outlet for any normal animals that I produce, or lower cost morphs like pastels.

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Yes yes yes, I had always though this too. To compete nowadays, having an online presence, and even shippings animals and orders would be a huge advantage over the little guys in the same area. That would truly be one stop shopping, right at your computer!

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Originally Posted by jknudson

An exotics shop of course (Reptiles, Amphibians, Exotic Small Mammals, a few different birds, little bit of saltwater reef stuff, and oodles and oodles of higher end hobbyist products and dry goods.). It will be a Retail storefront and also cater to customers online for certain categories (Reptiles, Fish, Corals, and drygoods).

I honestly think to be successful these days you have to have a STRONG online presence, even if you're a local mom and pop shop not selling products online.

Another aspect I've been thinking is to start an exotic animal expo, and have the store be the major sponsor. Locally, it will drive a bit of interest in the alternative pets.

It's still a dream in the works, but I'm definitely NOT located where I want to stay forever. I'm planning on moving south.

My personal ball python collection will alway be run on outside the business (catering mostly to internet sales), but the retail will be an outlet for any normal animals that I produce, or lower cost morphs like pastels.

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Sweet!! They are in the process of getting a website built, but there isn't much to sell online from a feed/petstore. Im also trying to get them to breed feeders!! I will be working there before to long, so I could take care of it.

I would love to start a reptile expo down here, but I am almost 16, and theres only so much i can do. you should move to texas!! Particularly houston..lol... I would help you out for sure!

How would you sell your reptiles online through your store? It sounds like it could be more complicated than just selling from your own personal collection with fedex. I could be blowing it out of proportion too. Do you see what i'm saying?

Speaking as someone who worked on the retail end of the hobby, you have to be prepared to deal with the fact that when working in retail, you deal with people, and that is usually one of the hardest parts of the job.

In an ideal world, the plan you've set for your shop would be great. Inevitably, you are going to run into people who don't share the same points of view as you on animal care. A small pet shop can not afford to turn away business when customers fail to meet your expectations on how to care for the animals that you sell to them.

Whether it was selling someone a bearded dragon without the "expensive" UVB fixture or bagging up an oscar destined for a 20 gallon tank, it was a moral dilemma that I dealt with on a daily basis. You eventually learn to tell yourself that it is up to the individual, not the pet store, to ensure that the animals are cared for and its on the customer to ultimately do the right thing. Some, if not most, pet owners do not and that is just a reality of the world we live in. To turn away such a large chunk of business on merit alone would be financial suicide for most retail establishments.