Well I dont own a LFS....yet(in the process of expanding and buying one) I do own a company that specializes in custom tanks and setups as well as a small product line. After I got out of the military I did work at a LFS for a little while before I started my own company and it was a tough market. If you dont know what your doing and have a solid plan you will fail....it is also expensive. I will say this Envysion(my company) specializes mainly in saltwater and have only done a few fresh tanks. Why? because there is absolutely NO money in fresh water. We provide livestock and maintenance services to the tanks we do and I can say with 100% certainty that we sell more money in livestock each month to our limited audience than the LFS that specializes in freshwater and they have 150+ tanks. Fresh is used to pay the bills but thats it. Profit comes from dry goods and Salt water. I mean just look at this site for example. More people doing DIY, or complaining that something is $5 more at the store. Salt is more of a money game and though you will find plenty of cheapos there are alot more people in it that spend the money necessary to be successful at it. So what im trying to say is if you want to be successful get very good at salt fish and corals, thats where its at.
I want to open my own LFS!!!
- Thread starter Red_Man
- Start date
I agree with you 100%. Most of the big reef people spare no expense for their big tanks, aren't into DIY, and hire professionals to do the work. When it comes to freshwater, the four biggest tank owners on MFK rescue big fish from other members and other places. I seriously doubt they spend much time at their LFS buying fish or fish products.
Setting up a LFS that provides wonderful service to the freshwater enthusiast is a very noble idea. But who would the target market group be? The MFKer who is upgrading from a 29 gallon tank to a 180? ... who is searching CL everyday for a good deal.... who has grand plans to make a sump like he's seen everyone else make on MFK?
My heart went out to a LFS owner who only closed his shop when he had to pick up more fish. He could never go anywhere or take any time off. A lot of his tanks developed a nasty algae problem. He was VERY fortunate in that he was able to sell off his business and didn't just have to close his doors like all the others in my area. The new owners sell mostly rodents and birds and a few snakes now.
I would hate to see a fellow MFKer who is absolutely passionate about fish and who has great dreams get tangled up in a world of financial difficulty and disillusionment, because of not thoroughly studying the demographics and doing appropriate feasibility studies before launching into a very risky business endeavor. If the OP does open an LFS, I really hope he succeeds.
