Has/Does anyone here run a setup / maintenance service?

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A

Alistriwen

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 14, 2007
662
1
0
Toronto, Canada
www.fishy-business.com
Hey MFK,

I was wondering if anyone here was or had run a aquarium set up or maintenance service? Im looking to try and do something along those lines starting this summer and would love any advice anyone has to offer. I know enough about setting up my own tanks, but I've never done it for anyone else. First run will probably be at my parent's place lol, my mom wants a planted discus tank.

Ideally, I'd want to help them from the start. Finding a tank, picking fish, accessories, etc. I'd help them cycle the tank, set it up and stock it and then provide weekly or bi-weekly maintenance. Id love to hear any experiences anyone has had.

Thanks!
 
You want business put ads in the paper. And you better know everything about anything. You wont make much but hey cash is cash, and you never know you might be the next duece bigalow.
 
Yes I have had several (9) aquarium stores, commercial aquarium installation and maintenance, ornamental fish import & quarrantine facility, breeding facilit(ies), live seafood tank and I do some aquaculture consultancy work. You need to view this as a small business enterprise so research small business -self owner practices especially profit & loss, book-keeping and what you want out of this. The fish keeping/maintenance aspect is not the main focus since this is a customer service field. Hopefully you already know this or your headed towards disaster.
 
I personally have a great deal of customer service experience, and have 2 parents who (each) run their own small businesses so I know the business world pretty well through exposure to them. I'm interested in knowing what other people have done that has worked or not worked with this sort of thing specifically.
 
I work as a project manager for one of the largest aquarium maintenance companies in Orlando. There is definetly money to be made in this business....if you do it right. IMO, the big money is not in the weekly/biweekly maintenance (though it can be if you focus on large commercial accounts). The big money to be made is in doing custom tank installs, especially for restaurants and large businesses. You can easily make $5K+ from a single large tank install if done right. Its all about presenting yourself and following through. That and offering something either unique or just plain better than anyone else in the area. But, what works here in Orlando probably wont work for you since Orlando is a big city and a lot of people have/want fish tanks...especially those who have money. Personally, when starting out I would focus on doing new tank installs...followed through by doing maintenance on those tanks. Of course advertising locally for general maintenance and installs is a must, because you get your business where you can. But what gives your business a lot of credibility is having a storefront. Down here in Orlando you see a lot of fly by night operations that advertise and get business, but within 6 months they're gone. The ones that stick around and do best are those that have an actual storefront where customers can talk to you face to face outside of their home/business. They come in to get new fish, pick up food, filters, etc. And having a storefront will generate walk-in customers which can gain even more maintenance business. It is most definetly NOT an easy business to get into. But once you get going and start getting a few large accounts, everything else will start to fall in place (usually). Being outgoing and having your customers trust you is one of the most important aspects of the business...so do everything in your power to gain their trust and to keep it. Because if they cant trust you, why would they want you in their home working on THEIR fish tank? Just do all you can researching this business, get good contacts, and get in with several wholesalers.

-Ryan
 
Thank you Dkarc that is exactly the type of information I was looking for :).

I'll actually be doing this in Toronto not here in London so the market will be one of the largest in North America. I am just in London for school :).
 
If you can show you are reliable and professional with satisfied customers then many complimentary businesses will be happy to refer you since by doing so they are also offering good customer service to their customers. ie Aquarium stores, fish wholesalers, landscapers, aquatic nurseries, pond suppliers, vetinarians, custom tank manufacturers, public aquariums etc. Leave your business card or signage sticker on each public display you do.

If you want information from the start then I suggest getting a utility (pickup?) vehicle with signage and some water holding tanks and pumps as a minimum. Nets, holding, quarrantine, hospital tanks, medication, plant establishment/growout tanks etc. You need the right equipment to do a good efficient job which also makes you look professional. Business cards are essential, references from satisfied customers useful. Know your limits and time frames and dont be afraid to patiently explain them to unrealistic customer demands and expectations. All these are basic small business principles though.... Its good both your parents have business and customer serice experience. They will be able to give you a lot of invaluable advice.

　
 
Alistriwen;1349026; said:
Thank you Dkarc that is exactly the type of information I was looking for :).

I'll actually be doing this in Toronto not here in London so the market will be one of the largest in North America. I am just in London for school :).
Click to expand...

My smartass earlier comment aside, you are well advised to put together a solid marketing plan before investing too much time or capital. Use your parents business contacts to have it critiqued and be open to constructive criticism...

Good luck with your venture!
 
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