FS Owners, opperators... Please read!

[rob2]

I don't even know what I want to ask...

Did you work at a store prior to opening yours? If so, for how long, and/or did it help with credibility/funding?

Did you set up/plumb your own system? If so, what are some resources for design? If not, who does that?

What's your competition like? Do you feel you've significantly expanded your market, or mostly tapped into the existing market?

Any replies or general advice would be much appreciated!

 

[flameangel1]

Hi rob2,
In answer to your questions below--

1--no- did not work at any LFS but did have 5 years of being an "intense hobbyist" with 4 reef tanks of my own. Also, was well versed in propagating and was well read in the hobby.
I set up my business WITHOUT FUNDING of any kind, strictly cash basis for all accounts. Still do everything that way-no borrowing money of any kind.

2--yes, I designed my whole set up and did all the plumbing myself.
Have redesigned the systems over the years , for simplicity and still do all my own plumbing/electrical etc.

3--When I started, there was very little competition, (2 other shops that have gone out of business long since),
but now there are about 10 shops in the 50 mile radius. Many also started up and then went belly up in the last 10 years ,
and some of the current shops are in the process of doing the same.

Hope this answered your questions.

 

[rob2]

Thanks Judy! Maybe you could answer a couple more...

Well, are you a fish/pet store or just fish?

To what do you attribute your success (while others fail around you?)

Does your shop do tank set-up and maintenance for customers?

What licenseing is required to sell livestock?

 

[dizzy]

Rob2,

Banks want collateral. A nice business plan explaining how you are going to open up this wonderful fish store is a tough sell. While it is not necessary to work at a fish store before opening one up, it really is a good idea. I would say that 98% of the people who might think they want to open up a lfs would change their mind after working in one for 3-4 years.

Also the industry is heading toward some possibly turbulent times. Go to www.aquariumcouncil.org and read the proposed standards of practice pages. Are you skilled enough to accomplish 1% DAA on marine fish. Do you understand how expensive compliance to MAC regulations might be? Consider the co-mingling issues for one. Be prepared to build dual holding systems. I have heard rent is expensive in S.CA and the competition is pretty brutal.

If you have plenty of money and this is how you want to risk it, then I would suggest buying some issues of FAMA and TFH magazines. (plenty of clues there) Marineland makes a nice looking central system component system. So does Dutch Aquarium Systems. If you don't see the aforementioned companies in the fish magazines do internet searches. Go to a Petsmart or a PetCo and look at their systems. Most of these are plumbed to a filtration system in a remote room. Perhaps you can do your own but be aware of local plumbing and electrical codes. Also be aware that poorly kept lfs and some chains keep a lot of negative attention focused on this industry and we all get scrutinized as a result.

Look at the other threads in the industry forum. Some of them have some good clues about this business. Look at the last post of "The structure is there." I'm sure there will be opportunity and niches in this industry, but I would recommend that you do your homework and look before you leap. Consider aquarium maintenance as a low overhead way to get your feet wet in the industry. Rob your sure welcome to join us and I wish you good luck.

 

[rob2]

Thanks.

Yea, I've considered maintenance because, frankly any store-front opperation scares me to pieces. I even considered sales/set-up and maintenance. I'd imagine some folks don't ever want to walk into a fish store, but want an aquarium. We'll see. But ultimately, I want to own a store.

Plus, I live in a rapidly growing area... new homes going up all around me! New stores, possibly an airport. And the fish stores here leave MUCH to be desired. These people don't even know what a real fish store is. You pretty much have to drive for an hour to go to a fish store with some selection.

Anyway, for now Ihave a lot of research to do.

I appreciate the replies and links.

 

[flameangel1]

rob2,

Well, are you a fish/pet store or just fish?]

A saltwater only store.

To what do you attribute your success (while others fail around you?)

The main reason is that I have the knowledge and really CARE about the fish - the hobby and people !! And the customers know it. The ones who fail are the ones who care more about the money, do not keep their tanks clean,and are about 15 years behind the times as far as how to keep saltwater animals alive.

Does your shop do tank set-up and maintenance for customers?

NO-because I believe that if someone does not care enough about their animals to take a personal interest, they should not have a tank.

What licenseing is required to sell livestock?

Registering with the state/federal/zoning/Labor&Industry/sales license/business accounts with the electric/telephone/registering with all the wholesale distributers that one wishes to buy from etc.
I can not even remember all the set up things that were needed to start this business. But, it took years, just to find decent wholesalers and distributers alone.

Their are no inspections for livestock here in Pa, and I sure wish there were. Many of the local shops would be shut down for ALL pets.[/quote]

 

[flameangel1]

Sorry-forgot to add this .
The maintenace people for saltwater around this area, are so far out of sync with modern techniques for saltwater, that it makes those of us who know, really sick !!
They charge a fortune (one of them charges $80.00 an hour), it is a sideline business to all of them and they are continually changing out stock due to death or next to death.
And their customers do not know the difference !!

 

[rob2]

Wow! A saltwater only store... What inspired you to only carry saltwater? What's the biggest advantage of being a specialty store like that? Most people think you have to carry a little of everything. My wife even wants to carry warm-blooded pets.

Yea, I think I'd like to avoid maintenance anyway. I'm in a service business right now (telephone, cable TV, etc.) and it's very time/labor consuming for the money.

 

[flameangel1]

rob2,,

What inspired you to only carry saltwater? What's the biggest advantage of being a specialty store like that? Most people think you have to carry a little of everything.

I did carry freshwater fish also, for the first 4 years, but quit that and went salt only. Reason is- I love saltwater, and I love animals.
Freshwater hobbyists just simply do not care enough about the 50 cent fish, and I just can't deal with that.
Also, if one really likes something and is good at it, then it just makes sense to "run with it".
There is a lot of background maintenance with a good saltwater only shop, and one needs 24/7 to keep up with everything (and the customers).
Having a full line pet store, means hiring people to work and I am much too fussy about quality, to be satisfied with the kind of "help" out there.

But, one would make much more money if they stocked the "dog and cat collar" type inventory- It just depends on what is important to the owner.