Business

[Newbie Breeder]

Hey guys so I want to try and start a business related in fish keeping. Before I explain anything let me start off by saying I am 14 years old. I have had 2 businesses in the past and they both resulted in me breaking even or a small profit in the long run. Both were fishing related. I want to keep giving it a shot until I find a business that works. So eventually one day I want to have a fish breeding/importing/retail/wholesale operation but obviously that requires way more resources than I currently have. I was thinking I could start by importing thing from manufactures from overseas. I have dealt with manufactures from overseas before, believe it or not for my other business. So I contacted a company that makes plastic plants for fish tanks. They sent me a list of things they can do. I was wondering if you guys think there is any profit to be made in plastic plants?

I'm anxious to hear what you guys have to say,
Matt

 

[Calihawk]

Honestly, plastic plants are perfect for cichlids....I love plastic plants because they liven up the tank a bit, but I HATE the one's that you fill with gravel to hold it down. Find a way to hookem up with suction cups, thats a good idea.

 

[cyberhog05]

Nice call on the suction cups!!! I never thought of that!

 

[Newbie Breeder]

The company I am looking into, the Bottom's have a base I believe. I will check, but if they don't, I'm sure I could do suction cups...I like that idea a lot

 

[Newbie Breeder]

If you guys want to see the plant options I can post a picture, to get a further opinion from you guys.

 

[anarekist]

or magnets? remember not all business are profitable forever.

 

[Newbie Breeder]

Here are some pictures

 

[Theseabean]

I would say go for more of a variety of realistic plants modeled after real species. Im 15 and all my tanks are planted and I would definitely keep plastic plants if they looked like my real plants. Heres an idea, make biotope packages! I would buy them.

 

[Newbie Breeder]

I might look at more manufacturers. Is anybody interested in any of these? The ones in the first picture are 3 and 4 inches and the second they are 8",16" and 32". What would you pay for these...if you would buy them at all?

 

[bbortko]

Those look like plants that are readily available, which means you need to be cheap. There are only 3 ways to make money:
1 Do something better than everyone else
2 Do it cheaper than any one else
3 Do something no one else is doing.

You need to weigh all your options and determine your best opportunity and focus on which one of those principals best suits your product line.

Personally I have seen lots of members tanks with plants from craft stores that look great, if you could find the ones most appropriately looking for an aquarium and made a system for securing them I would love to pick some up. My wife goes to these stores every month or so and I still haven't been able to suck it up and look because they drive me nuts so I go to petsmart next door every time and waste time in there.