To start a fish/herp shop? Poll

[Knowdafish]

at least take some coarse's in buisness

And some proper ENGLISH courses too!


Do your research and have enough $$ for all your expenses for at least 1 year.

 

[Eric A]

Just remeber that the profit is very low and you may not even break even for the first 2 years.

 

[armaggedonx]

Thanks for everyones honest opinions so far. And just so you know i do not go to festivals, concerts etc etc, never have and i dont drink....atall so theres no need for the long weekends or anything like that. The store would always come first to us and if it was drastically failing we'd quit. My mate has the business management course degree things and stuff. I left school and when straight to working in a bank (Abbey National - Business Banking) now im a forklift driver.

 

[Eric A]

Well if your upto it then go ahead, no ones stopping you. Don't give up when you don't see much money coming in after 8 months, thats to be expected and choose location properly.

 

[Cichlaholics Anonymous]

I voted no, because at 18 you most likely don't want to dig your own financial grave considering how much money is put into this, and then have it fail

 

[Militis]

Very hard to say i my self only 17 so you might not take my advice just my 2 cents if you really want this just make sure you have a backup plan sure your friend has a degree but you don't always have a backup.

If you have enough money to keep business a float and you really want it then go ahead do it but only open a small shop just big enough to fit a decent range of fish ect.

If it all works you get good business you get known well then move up to a bigger business sell of your old building and build from there .

Basiclly just start small and make sure everything is fall prove as i said your friend has a backup do you? becasue i have been bought up by the saying Knowledge Is Power mind you i aint to smart but i am slowy learning and also another saying No Such Thing As Can't.

I am trianing as a baker after that i want to learn more become a mechanic with my uncle then after that work in the TGR (SWAT) i have lots of backups i know how to paint i know how to wield i know how to cook.

Trial And Error I Say you try something it fails hopefully you have a backup.

As you can see i really think it is good to have a backup and make sure you have enoguh money set aside becasue you don't make much first few months.

Good Luck To Whatever You Do

 

[Scorponok]

Which do you prefer?
LFS owner if failed back up plan is college degree,

or,

College grad plans to be a LSF owner.

The people tell you to go for a degree is because they don't got one, or got one but rather see your dream fail so they know they've made the right choice.

 

[oscarcrazy]

Ok, owning a business is a serious step. Do you have the financial backing to even start the business up? I'm not going to say you need to go to school, that costs mega bucks as well and it is not for everybody. Many, many successful business owners did not go to or did not complete their college education. I do think that you should perhaps work at a lfs for a while to learn the system and get the right connections. It is even possible to buy out an existing store that already has a system in place. My friend, Andy, who now owns a great and successful store in Alaksa called the Wee Fishie Shoppe, started as a part-time employee and has owned the store for about 5 or 6 years now. And he's still only 29. You are taking on a tremendous risk if you just start a store. You cannot just walk away if it fails, you will be finacially scarred for life (or at least a good part of it). Just some ideas.

 

[oscarcrazy]

The people tell you to go for a degree is because they don't got one, or got one but rather see your dream fail so they know they've made the right choice.

This one ticks me off. Nobody is trying to piss on the op's picnic here. Just giving a reasonable and honest opinion of what the future looks like. We don't want anybody to fail at anything.

"The people who tell yo to go for a degree don't have one" how stupid is that?

 

[cambo01]

My advice to you:
1. Rather go to uni and enjoy it doing a useful degree or a degree that could help you in your intended line of work, i.e. marine biology, business management, biology etc.

2: While studying this, get a part time job at a place like a pet shop, animal shelter or anywhere that deals with animals sick and healthy 24h. Not open 24H, but have to look after them 24h/365.

3. Carefully think about this weighing pros and cons. Remember you are 18. A pet shop means no popping off to London or festivals at a whim, you WILL ALWAYS HAVE TO PREPARE, WAY IN ADVANCE.

4.If you open say a bookstore and you buy a book that isn't selling too well, it sits on the shell. If you by a fish that isn't selling too well, you still need to feed it, clean the tank and keep it healthy, that all costs money. Your store is chewing money at ALL times as there is no such thing as the store is closed. The pumps are running 24/7.

5. I think it is great you are asking these questions and I think you should go for it (one day at least). I am by no means trying to discourage you guys, just playing devil's advocate with regards to restraints.

Just my 2 cents mate.

very goo advice i second that