Taking the hobby to a profession

[ruaround]

how many of you have considered opening or actually opened a shop???
what were the major problems/triumphs???
was/is the biz lucrative???

 

[fshhub]

i have thought of it and have researched it but in my area i do not think it could be, but am considering a move after i get my degree and this is now on my list of potential new careers(i'm a 33 yr old college student)

 

[underthesea]

I have just made the step to have my own business and it does take time. I just started up a tank maintenance/set up/ cleaning/supply live and dry goods business right out of my home. I am going slow I have two clients right now but I am not bitching I am taking my time and I am not realy advertising to much it is by name right now. i am hoping that eventualy I will be able to have enough clients to have my own store though

 

[diceman]

I don't know what the cost would be to get started but the owner of the LFS by me who is very cool and really knows his stuff quit a job in which he was making 60,000 to start his fish shop and says he is doing very well. My guess would be that if you can quit a job that pays 60,000 to start a fish store then there must be good money in it. The place is not the biggest but he is always packed with customers and his fish are very healthy. I've been to some places which I see dead fish in the tank and who knows how long they have been there like that. He has a real nice place.

 

[fishfood]

I thought about it myself also. I was sick of not being able to find a job and came up with two business ideas. 1. propagating coral 2. Opening a bar near the college i just graduated from. I decided against the coral propagating because i had read that in order to make money there you needed to produce a lot of the product, and didn't know if anyone would really provide funding to a broke college grad to start up a coral propagating business. The bar is still a great idea because the school is about to get a football team and is expected to grow from 8000 students to 20,000 in 5 to 10 years, but i would also need a lot of startup and other things!!!
But anyone who tries just remember how people feel here about lfs and be different. I know its about money but i'm sure happy customers will = $
Give me Fish - working with only one or 2 clients to start is good to start out. Word will spread. Look into your family doctor and dentist or what not. They have money and know other doctors and dentist. Plus that way you can put advertising up in the office next to a great looking tank, something like an engraved plate on the hood with your information or what not and put business cards out at places where you eventually get tanks and maybe informational flyers. I'm sure you thought of this already though so good luck

 

[beth]

Give me fish, I wouldn't mind hearing how you setup at home. I have thought of that some, or perhaps after I retire early. LOL
If you don't mind sharing the info here, or you can email me.

 

[underthesea]

Thank you all for all your suggestions. Beth i just e-mailed you I hope you get it. If not here is my e-mail address rfeyrer@uhs.umass.edu

 

[jumpfrog]

A little off topic - Sorry!
Beth; My wife and I are visiting the Keys this July. Does saltwaterfish have a brick and mortar store as well and is it a reasonable drive from the keys. By the way we're getting to the keys from Naples so the route takes us by Miami.