anyone who has written a business plan?

[joyful girl]

Do you have any advice you can offer someone writing a business plan for the first time?

We're giving ourself 1 full month to actually write it so we aren't rushing.
I hope that is enough time.

I'm just wondering if there is anything you found out after you wrote your plan that you wish you knew while writing it?

We're in the process of trying to start our own reptile store. I'm sick of seeing people purchase reptiles from pet stores that know nothing about them.

My goal is to sell only quality captive bred reptiles.

Anyway.. any advice you can give I'd appreciate.

[tmlowe5704]

Do you have any advice you can offer someone writing a business plan for the first time?

We're giving ourself 1 full month to actually write it so we aren't rushing.
I hope that is enough time.

I'm just wondering if there is anything you found out after you wrote your plan that you wish you knew while writing it?

We're in the process of trying to start our own reptile store. I'm sick of seeing people purchase reptiles from pet stores that know nothing about them.

My goal is to sell only quality captive bred reptiles.

Anyway.. any advice you can give I'd appreciate.

make sure quality of animals and customer service are your #1 priorities. Don't sell an animal that is not yet ready just to make a quick buck. It will take a while. You want to assure quality of your animals? Only buy from reputable breeders and raise them yourself.

[joyful girl]

those are my top priorities

I want to be able to have quality animals and be able to inform customers on what they actually need instead of what I think I can sell them.
This is going to be my business and I'll be able to run it how I want not how some corporate person tells me I need to do it.

I'm not interested in making a quick buck. If I was I'd be importing sick wc babies and trying to sell them for as much as I can. That's just not how I roll ... :p

I'm very passionate about what I want to do and how I want it done correctly.

[tmlowe5704]

those are my top priorities

I want to be able to have quality animals and be able to inform customers on what they actually need instead of what I think I can sell them.
This is going to be my business and I'll be able to run it how I want not how some corporate person tells me I need to do it.

I'm not interested in making a quick buck. If I was I'd be importing sick wc babies and trying to sell them for as much as I can. That's just not how I roll ... :p

I'm very passionate about what I want to do and how I want it done correctly.

Glad to hear it. There needs to be more breeders like you on KS.

[Rapture]

Many businesses stay open because of return customers. Sell healthy animals, and inform your customers how to keep them correctly. You've seen how "addictive" these animals can be... if one of your customers buys an animal from you and it lives and thrives in their care, where do you think they will get their next addition? Chances are high it will be from you.

Treat your customer with utmost importance... if you make them feel good, they'll be back.

Keep your store clean, for the love of all things that are good.

Get your name out there... adverise... they have to have some way to know you exist.

Keep a variety of whichever animals you are selling, and don't buy more stock than you can sell...

[joyful girl]

Keep your store clean, for the love of all things that are good.

if my store ever looks anything like the stores I have been into I'll shut it down right then

I refuse to be the person that stopped caring and is only trying to make money

[Rapture]

Well that's not always the case... sometimes things just get out of hand, or you are having problems with your employees, etc. Have a schedule of all the things that you want done in the store daily to keep it clean, and make sure everyone knows they HAVE to get done every single day.

[joyful girl]

I plan on it

[tmlowe5704]

Don't just sell snakes either. Get out and sell other stuff. One of the most frustrating things for me is when I need something and go out to find it and realize that it has to be ordered online. Keep some thermostats in stock (even if just the reptitemp), some dimmers, hides, digital thermometers with probes, water bowls, mite products, feeders...etc.

[joyful girl]

I'm going to have as many different types of reptiles/amphibians as I can properly manage.
I'll have feeder fish, mice, rats, meal worms, crickets, ect.
I'll have a whole section of the store dedicated to supplies as well.

I've already planned all the basics and I know how I want things run.
What I'm looking for is advice with the actual business plan. Which needs to be written in order to get any outside financial support.