I was just looking for some advice on starting up an aqurium store im only 19 and this was always my dream.....are there any store owners or employes with great advice? I want the info I can get. I have had my own aquariums since i was ten and have learned alot in the last 9 years deffintly will make everystore I have been too look foolish. Please help
Im starting an AQuarium/Fish store....
- Thread starter fishman646
- Start date
when u start picking out stock fr what u will sell, consider the local customers and what they have the means to buy. Dont order fish that will cost $40-$50 if you area is not known to have fish keepers. I dont know if this is making sense....A family with a bunch of kids walking into ur store that doesnt have alo of money is going to see th $40 plecos and run away lol or they will end up buing the 1.99 commons cuase its the only thing they can afford. have non expensive fish first , u know platies, mollies, ect. see what the demand is and then order accordingly. there will be times when u get customers that just don care for advice
patience.
patience.
Build strong customer relationships. Be friendly, do a special order, be open for questions. Customer service, quailty products, and reasonable prices are key to sustainable residual business.
A great experience would be to work at a local pet shop if you can find a job. Dont look at it as a awful junky job but think of it as research, as in what might you do differently.
This experience alone will give you great perspective on how the industry works...
This experience alone will give you great perspective on how the industry works...
good luck. Keep a varied livestock and don't forget the bread and butter fish. Also offer a good supplies at a competative price. filters and high quality food, tank combos. Don't expect to make any profit for a few years, and have fun.
yeah its alot of hard work with little profit for quite a while. do alot of research, finding good breeders to buy from, good wholesalers and just take ur time! if u rush into things u will end up with bad quality things just beucase u went with the first one u found at a cheap price.
i would start with some common cheap fish and have just a few nicer ones. then as customer relationships grow build up the inventory. its also probably good to do half salt and maybe a bit later on some corals. stores around here (with not many fishkeepers in the area) do half and half and seem to do pretty well. since a lot of people like saltwater. ive seen the stores around here selling just as much salt as fresh.