I personally don't consider the first rack and supplies as part of the breeding scheme. Like, they were pets when I bought them, (still are) and everything else comes with that. So I spent money on a personal want. that is not the same as an investment imo. And now the hatchling racks and setup will be what I'll hope to pay myself back for. So instead of $1000+, It's only like 300. Just one way of looking at it. And with just my corns and the 1 clutch i aim to produce next year, it'll take a few years just to break even on that.
If I just dove in head first and produced 3 clutches then I might be able to pay for it in one year. But I don't want to jump the gun and end up with 30+ snakes that won't sell.