Do I really want to open a SW shop?

[Anonymous]

You guys ever hear of employees??

 

[flameangel1]

Rover,,
If one could find employees that one could trust to do things as I do and cared as much as I do about the customers and animals -cared enough to LEARN ,etc, and did not cost an arm and leg to hire-yes, might get them.
I have not found this to be a feasible option, as there arent any !!!!!
Experience with employees and "partners", is why I go it alone NOW !!!!!!!

 

[JennM]

You guys ever hear of employees??

Sure - I'll just go pick a leaf off the money tree and hire a small army of 'em.

Glenn, respectfully, a fish/reef shop is WAY different than a full line pet store. You can have employees ringing up the cat litter and dog collars while you concentrate on the difficult stuff. In a store such as Judy's or mine, it's really hard to find somebody that the CUSTOMER will trust as much as the owner. I saw this when I worked for somebody, I see it now that I am the owner. Folks even second guess my husband, who has just as much experience in the hobby as me, more if you consider that I didn't get my hands wet for the first few years (I was book-smart, but I didn't touch "his" tank...)

Hiring QUALIFIED help is expensive -- hobbyists want "expert" staff, store owners can only afford minimum wage -- never the twain shall meet. Personally I have one person who works for me occasionally, but she prefers to let me deal with customers and she does "grunt work" -- which is enormously appreciated, because there is always algae scrubbing, water changing and cleaning to be done, but if I get a flood of customers at once, they all want to talk to me -- sucks to be popular sometimes

Scottk - SPEND THE TIME in somebody else's shop first. You'll make more money at minimum wage as a worker than you will as an owner in the first couple of years, and you won't get any surprises after the fact if you're observant. I did, and I've had no surprises, I went into this with my eyes fully open. Yeah I'm overworked, under(not)paid, and sometimes I grumble when I get behind in the work load, but in all honesty I wouldn't trade a minute of it for anything, because it is what I have wanted to do for MANY years now. I'm glad I did have the firsthand experience before taking the plunge because it would have been a HUGE surprise at just how MUCH work it is, but I've never been afraid of a bit of hard work, and in my 20 years in the work force my biggest frustration was toiling away for the benefit of somebody else -- now the payoff (if there is one to be had) will be my own. If nothing else, it's very gratifying to drive by the place and think, "That's MINE"

Love what you do. That's the key to happiness in anything.

Jenn

 

[flameangel1]

{quote}
it's really hard to find somebody that the CUSTOMER will trust as much as the owner.{/quote}

Good point , Jenn--and one I forgot to mention before !!!!
The customers trust ME and even if I had employees-still want to talk to me and wont really deal with any one else.
Or they would deal with the employee and then come to me afterwards to
second opinion, because they did not trust anyone but me.
This is a big responsibility to take care of each and every person and what they have.
I feel responsible for their tanks, as my own and they know it. If you are just selling "product"-yes, employees can handle that.
But , I dont sell product-I sell animals,systems that work, and with the personal knowledge/care/ service etc.
Big difference !!!