I want to know how they got things started. Where did they get the supplies; i.e. tanks, where to find wholesalers for fish and supplies and products. I am going to open a shop my self and I want to know as much as I can before hand.
Does anyone own or know someone who owns a pet or tropical fish store or shop?
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Sorry if this is not a complete answer, but here’s some of the basic information you need to know: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AlbeoAcU4NcCRCHLExyLhE3sy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20070903182528AACLZDP&show=7#profile-info-7fa04e30379ac33addf8d2ff7c80ac6baa
EDIT: You could also breed some of the easy-to breed fish instead of buying more of them.
ZTM
I”ll add this link to ZTM’s answer: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ – look toward the bottom of the index for the section on “aquarium business”. That info should help you a lot.
You might also email this user: http://answers.yahoo.com/my/profile;_ylt=AkFQdiyP4MgoikhM0QSSC7Lsy6IX;_ylv=3?show=9414d05d6b37196ce132e791bfeac98caa or post a message on his forum – he has an online business and an aquarium maintenance business.
I don’t own a store, but have worked for them. All the major brands use distributors, so you’d have to contact the manufacturer of the products you want to carry and find their distributor in your area. For livestock, you’d go through a fish wholesaler (“fish farm”). This user works for one of these, so you might want to contact him: http://answers.yahoo.com/my/profile;_ylt=AkFQdiyP4MgoikhM0QSSC7Lsy6IX;_ylv=3?show=Re0w381aaa -you can email each of them directly if you have your own email function enabled.
With the way gas prices have increased lately, the price of shipping fish has been passed on through the stores to the customers, so if you want to keep your prices lower, you might want to cultivate a good relationship with amateur breeders and fish clubs in your area as a source for some of your stock.
I’ve heard from other owners that it’s not a business to get into if you’re looking to make a lot of money – it’s something to do because you like fish. As a private owner, you have to stay competitive with any “chains” that are in your area who hire kids who are willing to work for minimum wage, and have other stores who can help spread out business costs/losses. With a private store, it’s just you. What the chains lack (knowledgable salespeople, personal contact with the customer, quality livestock) is where you can build your advantage.