Business plans/ideas for Aquarium Shop

[wild bill]

You could probably make it work but would have to run it close to solo for sometime it would be stock and having to pay too many emploees that could kill a guy as this would mean you would have to have to high of prices to attract some people ie the majority of new comers. It might not hurt to look into opening a store of some other well respected franchise. Also you need to stock enough of the cheaper fish because people are never afraid to lose them but are afraid to spend big bucks on a fish that feels like they just lost their life savings a friend of ours was talking to the owner of a fish shop in our area and he said thir best money was in the lower priced fish. I agree that a good selection of tanks and equiptment is escential but lends to the large overhead that kills alot of new businesses be fair priced but remember it is almost impossible to match prices with places in the walmart league I hope you can make your dream work for you a job you enjoy is always better than one you don't.

 

[knifegill]

Yes, store design and creative displays are amazingly powerful selling points. A new customer should walk in and immediately have to stop and say, "Wow, what is that? I've never seen this done before!".

Yes, you'll need to sell bread and butter fish to make the cut but at least switch out the common species for better ones. Instead of a pond full of nasty fancy guppies, use endler's. Instead of goldfish, offer baby cichlids as feeders. Don't know manageable that would be, but it would be cool if you could make it work. Heck, you could use your local aquarium club as a breeding operation and purchase their extra fry at low rates. I know my LFS make huge $ on goldfish feeders and it makes me sick to my stomach. *sigh*

Eartheaters are a perfect group of fish to focus on. As well as many lake victorian cichlids.

And, for goodness' sake, close the void by posting information about the care of each fish. Especially the part about most fish truly being easy to raise as long as the tank is maintained properly. The info cards at big chain pet stores are lackluster and inaccurate.

 

[creepyoldguy]

Think about this: You are selling a product that you didn't manufacture but still will more than likely guarantee. Consider the fact that the majority of customers who will be buying your "bread and butter" fishes are taking this fish home and throwing them into an aquarium that is not cycled or poorly taken care of.

 

[mshill90]

Think about this: You are selling a product that you didn't manufacture but still will more than likely guarantee. Consider the fact that the majority of customers who will be buying your "bread and butter" fishes are taking this fish home and throwing them into an aquarium that is not cycled or poorly taken care of.

Cars are the same way... I'm not really getting the correlation? The more that die, the more they buy?

 

[Rawrzer]

you know how alot of store have 2 front store windows? well it could be pretty awesome to have 2 huge tanks in each one. definitely one being an african cichlid tank and the other maybe a monster tank. this would definitely make me want to go into the store. also have some outrageous and rare fish.

 

[mshill90]

you know how alot of store have 2 front store windows? well it could be pretty awesome to have 2 huge tanks in each one. definitely one being an african cichlid tank and the other maybe a monster tank. this would definitely make me want to go into the store. also have some outrageous and rare fish.

That would be a great idea... the only issue I foresee is an algae wall. haha.

 

[Rawrzer]

I mean i couldnt see there being a HUGE algae problem in the african tank. and you could make the other tank planted and that just takes care of itself!
also remember if youre going to hire only hire one or 2 really loyal and trusted people who won't work for very much money but show results. Theyre rare people to find but worth it if you can find them.

 

[mshill90]

I mean i couldnt see there being a HUGE algae problem in the african tank. and you could make the other tank planted and that just takes care of itself!
also remember if youre going to hire only hire one or 2 really loyal and trusted people who won't work for very much money but show results. Theyre rare people to find but worth it if you can find them.

That's the great thing of having a 17 year old cousin who is saving up for a car, and doesn't have a job.

But it would be me to start, as I am sure the first month or so wouldn't be too bad, depending on how traffic is.

But i am sure I can find an MFKer in the making to help me out.

 

[Rawrzer]

haha if i lived there I'd help! XD
the cousin idea sounds great! they'll probably be willing to work long hours too because they want a car haha
and did you say it would be in a mall? because if you think about it thats like an amazing place to open it up if the malls popular! all the people will be passing by and want to go inside- that is if you have a good display making them want to go in

 

[GolemGolem]

I don't know you, but be careful and study your ass off before jumping in. I know restaurants more than pet shops, but most independant restaurants fail in their first couple years even with good food at good prices, served by nice people. If the owner is flush it is ok in the end. If they had to take out big loans just to get the place going, and then take out more loans to pay the bills, well you'll be like one of my coworkers who will never pay off his debt. He's now working for 12$ an hour. He was also working 80-90hr weeks almost the entire time his diner was open. Dude looks a lot older than 38.
That being said I would love to be able to get good information out of my local LFS, or a sponge filter for less than 50$.
I wish you luck.