Too late entering the hobby?

[Mangiapane85]

Hey guys, so I have this fear. But I also have this strong desire. ... the fear is that my desire to breed these amazing animals will be all for not give the head start that a lot of you and the other "big" breeders have had. For someone who has just gotten into this hobby in the past year... is it even worth trying to get into the breeding of these animals? Especially considering my snakes won't be ready for at least a year and a half or two. Where do you see the BP trade by then? Will I just be stuck with a ton of babies that nobody wants? Now granted, I have developed a DEEP Burning passion for these snakes, so I will breed regardless, but I would still like to turn a profit eventually too... anyways, sorry for the newbie post, I just have these worrisome thoughts sometimes.

EDIT: I think one good thing I have going for me is that I live in St. Louis, and to my knowledge there's no reputable breeder around here. So maybe I can view that as advantageous?

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[Stewart_Reptiles]

Never to late even when I started 10 years ago there were people that were light years ahead of me, and when I started single gene animals were very expensive so were things like hets. Then during the past decade the sky was falling according to everyone.

The key is to be passionate, make smart decisions, find your own niche , invest in your collection, upgrade your animals, sure you might be in the red the first year or too but having a collection paying for itself or even making a profit is possible sadly too many people like the passion, commitment, patience and thinking to do so.

[Eric Alan]

It's never too late. There's still A LOT to be done and, if you let yourself, you will always be chasing someone. Focus on your own projects and let the others take notice of you as you make your own path. Be the one that makes everyone else take notice when you wake up in the morning. It starts with passion, but it takes a lot more than that to be successful.

Good luck!

[Mangiapane85]

Just the two people I was hoping to hear from. Thanks guys. ... I'm starting out with single and double gene stuff, but the trick imo will be getting my name out there and illustrating to everyone how much I love these animals. In other words, a good website and getting to every reptile show I can! Lol.. does that sound like the right path to take?


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[Meerna]

I've actually been thinking of this exact thing myself lately.

[BPGator]

I think Ben Renick is in our area. I've been to a few local shows and they're always there. There's one on Sunday - may be a good time to meet him and make a good local contact.


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[distaff]

If YOU like them, then it is not too late for YOU.

Things will always wax and wane in terms of popularity. Dog breeds, certain fish, certain birds, different livestock breeds. Hobbies, crafts, and some ancient skill sets follow that up and down too (and sometimes sadly lost). The Internet allows fanciers of even the most obscure interests to get together and exchange know how.

[redshepherd]

I'm just starting this year too, and it's never too late to do what you love! If we're only thinking in terms of getting big money back from selling butters and mojaves, then that isn't really happening. But how it is now, it's much easier to get your hands on multi-gene animals than it was ten years ago, there are still pricier single genes like clown, so there's the new starting point. The way I see it.

I'm personally going to play with disco a a couple years from now, since it really hasn't been explored much by many people compared to some other genes, but I think it has a lot of potential. Probably just because a single gene disco really doesn't look like much. And I just love how super pastel disco combos look, or disco fire.

[Eric Alan]

Just the two people I was hoping to hear from. Thanks guys.

You're very welcome.

... I'm starting out with single and double gene stuff, but the trick imo will be getting my name out there and illustrating to everyone how much I love these animals. In other words, a good website and getting to every reptile show I can! Lol.. does that sound like the right path to take?

I've learned that all of these things can happen both organically and with the amount of effort you put into them. Yes, I have a website and a FB page, and they help, but I've never vended at a show. I didn't have either of those things at the beginning of last year. I also don't have nearly the decades of experience that others have (far from it!). What I do hang my hat on is being able to take something away from everyone I meet, no matter how brief the interaction. I make sure to do the same for others - when people take something from me, no matter what it is, I make sure that they get the good stuff. That's what people remember.

[Mangiapane85]

I think Ben Renick is in our area. I've been to a few local shows and they're always there. There's one on Sunday - may be a good time to meet him and make a good local contact.


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Thanks man! I had no idea he was so close... what about you? What part of St. Louis do you live in?

And redshepard, I don't plan on staying w just butter and Mojave. Even though you have obviously been following my posts lol.


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