Aquatic Pet Store

[Guzzo]

Anyone have any experience starting a pet store targeting more towards aquatic plants and fish. Aquascaping/aquariums are a hobby of mine and I was interested in seeing if anyone has started one before. For the most part this idea will most likely just be something I play around with in my head (which I like to do a lot of when it comes to business start ups, lol)

Anyways, the store would cater from the beginner to the high end aquariums. To separate myself I would try and import a lot of high end foreign aquarium products that are in demand in the United States but are difficult to acquire. I would also attempt to offer an online marketplace for not only the products I sell but also for customers to trade and share plants and fish etc. Anyways, just thought I'd share and see if anyone has had any experience with fish stores. Share your stories and let me know

[RLorenzen]

I don't own an aquarium store, but I do have first hand experience with them. I'm head of advertising and webmaster for the Long Island Aquarium Society (www.liasonline.org), so I have contacts with the owners of pretty much every fish store on Long Island. Also, being an aquarist myself (when I get the time, which hasn't been often lately, but I keep 3 tanks), I am your target market for mid to high-end aquariums. If you need any help, feel free to PM me!

[allysa]

cool idea. I've seen a lot of Squidoo lenses related to aquatic fish and products. Maybe you should take a look at it. If I could see it again, I'll post it here.

[JLeezer]

When I was younger, I worked in top pet store in the Pittsburgh PA area. We kept literally 500+ marine fish/inverts and thousands upon thousands of freshwater fish/plants. While these were definitely our money maker, we also carried reptiles, birds, bunnies, kittens, puppies, and random exotic animals (tarantulas, scorpions, etc) on occasion. These, along with all of the supplies to keep any household animal imaginable made for a nice draw of customers from a wide variety of backgrounds.

One thing that has had a huge markup: established marine mini-tanks. A 5 to 10 gallon establish tank with live sand, live rock, a few mushrooms, a shrimp or snail, and a very few fish can cost the store maybe $100 to put together. But the retail can be anywhere from $200-300, depending on the customers.

[Guzzo]

Great info so far thanks!

The mini tanks are a really good idea and I will have to put some more thought into it.

As for the store i've got a few ideas.
1. Make the store have a modern and clean feel, When you first walk in there would be some really sweet show tanks. Maybe one of each for saltwater and freshwater. Then divide the store into 3 categories, fresh,salt and products.

2. Maybe each month hold a special event for new plants and fish. To try and bring the local community closer together and have fun. Maybe send out flyers or emails to let everyone know. Maybe allow customers to exchange fish and plants.

3. Hold contests for the best local fish tanks, with prizes in cash, products or store credit.

4. I'm not sure, but it would maybe be possible to also set up a fish aquarium maintenance/set up business out of the store as well. Customers could pay us a monthly/weekly fee to come and clean or set up aquariums.

5.the store could host training for customers maybe once every couple of months where we could demonstrate setting up and maintaining various aspects of the tank.

6. Mini tanks could be set up in the store by employees. Customers could even watch to see how its done. Then the small tanks could be purchased by customers to take home.

7. A book/library section with a wide variety of plant and fish books

I will try and think of some more

[JLeezer]

4. I'm not sure, but it would maybe be possible to also set up a fish aquarium maintenance/set up business out of the store as well. Customers could pay us a monthly/weekly fee to come and clean or set up aquariums.

Professional offices will be the most lucrative as they are more willing to spend money for larger tanks and generally do not want the hassle of maintaining it. On that note, you may also want to consider a fish exchange program for these customers. Whether a fish has become too large for their tank or they just want to switch inhabitants every few months, this could be a nice way to "resell" the same fish several times but at a lower price. For example, a maroon clown might sell for $30. You customer gets a discount (due to their maintenance agreement) of $5. In 3 months, they decide to trade that fish in for another. They receive a $15 credit for that fish, which you can then resell for $30 (or more, since it is now 3 months larger). You've essentially sold the fish for $40. And if by chance the fish dies while in the customer's tank, they obviously cannot exchange it, guaranteeing you the sale price of $25.

Ok, I need to get off this thread. The more I write the more I want to open my own store...an idea that faded years ago.

[RLorenzen]

4. I'm not sure, but it would maybe be possible to also set up a fish aquarium maintenance/set up business out of the store as well. Customers could pay us a monthly/weekly fee to come and clean or set up aquariums.

I know someone that owns a company that does just that. He has very high end clients and the money is pretty good.

[Guzzo]

I was trying to think of some of the start up costs for this yesterday. Let me know if I missed anything haha.

Costs:
1. Rent
2. Insurance
3. Inventory (tanks, products, etc)
4. Inventory Software for Computer
5. Store Equipment (shelves, computers, signs, etc)
6. Heating/Air Conditioning
7. Water (probably a big one for a fish store )
8. Electricity
9. Security System
10. Store Cleaning (would prob do this myself at first but would still have to buy products and cleaning equipment)
11. Taxes
12. Workers Comp
13. Advertising
14. Giveaways/promotions in store
15. Computers
16. Payroll
17. Legal fees
18. Store improvements/contracting
??? I know i'm forgetting something important, but when you make lists sometimes you leave off obvious things you forget

If I had to guess I would say prob $100,000 min. to start, Inventory and rent being the big ones. Could get by with some stuff i already have like computers and stuff. Friends and family would be able to help with legal fees and helping build the store initially. Payroll would get expensive if i had more than 4 employees at the start, but I assume in the beginning it would just be me, and maybe one other person. But the rest of it adds up pretty quickly lol.

Any ideas?