starting a store?

[santoury]

Has anyone here started a store?

I am preparing to, and am interested in hearing about what paperwork needs to be completed, so that I don't forget anything. Insurance, legal, license, taxes, etc etc - where are forms gotten, and etc.

How much stock should be stocked (overhead) in the initial startup, so as not to "run out" ?

I'd love to talk with those of you that have started stores, if you are open to that. Feel free to PM me. Thanks!

 

[M|L]

a fish store?

 

[WeeNe858]

duh... thats what he said!!!


you need a retail licences for fishes which you can get at the local DFG

i dont know much about legalities and paper work

but i do reccommend keeping things simple and follow the basic layout of successful LFS while adding your twist to it, sorta like what they stock and how mcuh.....


but your main livestock money makers are the cheap bread and butter fishes like mollies and guppies....


and to give your store a big boost do a week long opening sale and do everything 25 % off all livestock or so.. that will get people into your store so they know that your an option... and you slowly build up your clientell and the quality of the store ass you go on... but i highly recommend starting out nice and humble


(i work for a "big break" store in so cal [south coast plaza] and the owners are frustrated because they tried to open up as a big store)

 

[cichlaguapote]

You can get your business liscense forms on whatever your home state website is. Also there are places online that will charge you fees but fill out the and fill the forms for you. Google search will pull them up.

As for stock/overhead you need to figure out how much you need to move a month to keep a profit and pay for your space if this is an actual storefront. If it's an online business I'd advise you to start small and see what the demand is.

Also I thought he said this was gonna be a plant store?

 

[santoury]

Yes, a specialty / spiritual plant store - Bonsai, healing plants, herbs, and plants with special backgrounds - not a "run of the mill" plant store.

 

[cichlaguapote]

Yes, a specialty / spiritual plant store - Bonsai, healing plants, herbs, and plants with special backgrounds - not a "run of the mill" plant store.

I think you need to tally up what your costs will be a month, figure out how much you need to sell a month to keep you in business/make a profit plus still have stuff in the store. I think it's ok if you sell out of something once because you didn't realize a demand. Online store is much easier to start because you'll have lower overhead, won't need as much stock but you have more competition online. just my .02