Setting up an LFS!

[Malt_Vinegar]

Hi Everyone!

I am fed up of my "career" in IT, I am 26, and earning a mediocre salary, commuting long distances, not enjoying my work anymore and genuinely looking to move my life to another place, where I work for myself and do things the way I want to.

As an avid lover of all things fish related, I have decided to start looking into opening an aquatics store near to where I live. Possibly with some form of online selling aspect to help increase sales.

Has anyone else here set up their own retail business, and perhaps save me learning some of the lessons the hard way! What pitfalls am I going to need to avoid??

Once I have some read around the subject, and compiled all my research, I will be creating a business plan, and looking for a small business loan to raise the required capital for the startup.

I am looking not just for technical, and practical advice RE tank/store setup, but also business related advice, and tips for a store in the UK!

 

[drb]

Wish I was local to you and could go in on the venture!

 

[xRedbeardx]

I wish I could do this

 

[Jakob]

1. I would recommend you to have everything in order, tanks clean and good lighting in the tank so they look better and clearer.

2. Sell the right fish.
I would as a starter only sell the common fish that people buy the most, guppies, swordtails, goldfish, maybe some african cichlids and american cichlids.

3. Hire good staff.
Dont hire some people that dont have a clue in what they are doing, hire somebody that has good knowledge of fish and fish related things.

4. Breed the fish yourself.
It is expensive to start an lfs, buy tanks, lights, rent. But to cut a little down the cost i would breed some "easy to breed" species yourself, livebearers, ancistrus some africans, maybe even americans.

5. Show tanks.
I would have at least 1 show tank, maybe a 55g well set up planted tank with neon tetras, SAE, shrimps and stuff, and have as nice set up as you could possibly put together.

That was just my two cents, hope i could help.

 

[BigShawn]

Interesting I'll keep an eye on this, always want to do this............