I need help and opinions.

[Areeflover]

Hello all, I’m looking at starting an aquarium shop. Fresh and salt but I’m worried about the success of it with all the online shopping. What are people’s opinions on that?

 

[Peace River]

There are few interesting threads here on R2R related to this topic as well as some MACNA talks such as:


Let's see if we can get some input...

@dantimdad @JCOLE @vetteguy53081

 

[Areeflover]

Thank you very much. This is a dream of mine. I just want to succeed

 

[vetteguy53081]

Be prepared to make in 80 hours what you normally do in 40 hours at work as was the case at times when i had my store.
You will have periods of slow sales and staff that call in sick or dont show up at all.
Pros:
The people you meet
The exposure to the many animals in the industry
Trade shows for retailers
Access to livestock and dry goods worldwide
Recognition in the community

Cons:
Expenses such as Payroll, disability insurance, accidental insurance cost. Property insurance cost
Cost of equipment (shelving, point of sale equipment), cameras and other miscellaneous)
Disaster ( such as power loss, storms, Covid, leakage, etc)
Cost of training
Dependable employees
Customers who you cant please
Long term leases and lease cost
Common area Maintenance costs
Utilities
Advertising expenses
Running out of space for new product or displays while still bound to a lease
Competition

It can be rewarding but overcome by challenges and loss of livestock. Will take quite a few years before becomming profitable. This is not meant to discourage you but rather spell out the real picture of retail in this industry

 

[BackToTheReef]

Listening to the MACNA video above struck a chord with me b/c I have been that new employee that was trained my folks making this hobby their living. We did our best to bring those new customers in and still make sure we could square away the more advanced hobbyist as well. I think sometimes we didn't do a great job of either of them and left this vacuum where everyone in between beginner and advanced fell.

Retail is changing and I think the way forward is to think about brick and mortar differently. As the hobby has changed and continues to change I think there are creative ways to keep the folks that surf here on R2R engaged at the LFS, as well as bring in new hobbyists. Creative sourcing, trade ins, etc.

How to be different, unique, but not so niche? Having enough of what everybody else has but having a unique enough selection that you aren't going nose to nose on every product with every other online and brick and mortar retailer? It's a fine line to walk.

Sorry to ramble on, had a bunch of thoughts rolling around and didn't do a great job articulating any of them.

 

[BackToTheReef]

As an aside I always thought it would be neat to buy an old greenhouse facility and turn it into a LFS. Half fish farm, half store.

 

[Fishko]

Just remember there is a big difference between a hobby and a business. I remember reading a thread about that on here

 

[ScottB]

Since retiring I've been part time at my LFS for giggles. The owner sold a previous (substantial) family business and did this out of a life-long interest in the hobby. A few things he shared:

a) about 2 years before he could draw any kind of salary
b) Servicing tanks is the bread winner. Not retail. Took about 3-4 years to build up that part.
c) He gets young families into the hobby with "free" betta fish in the hopes that over time they will trade up. Takes time but it does work.
d) It is a ton of hours. But the people are great for the most part.

 

[Areeflover]

Listening to the MACNA video above struck a chord with me b/c I have been that new employee that was trained my folks making this hobby their living. We did our best to bring those new customers in and still make sure we could square away the more advanced hobbyist as well. I think sometimes we didn't do a great job of either of them and left this vacuum where everyone in between beginner and advanced fell.

Retail is changing and I think the way forward is to think about brick and mortar differently. As the hobby has changed and continues to change I think there are creative ways to keep the folks that surf here on R2R engaged at the LFS, as well as bring in new hobbyists. Creative sourcing, trade ins, etc.

How to be different, unique, but not so niche? Having enough of what everybody else has but having a unique enough selection that you aren't going nose to nose on every product with every other online and brick and mortar retailer? It's a fine line to walk.

Sorry to ramble on, had a bunch of thoughts rolling around and didn't do a great job articulating any of them.

I have plans for that. Because I am going to be fresh and salt. I want to have a huge selection of plants and hardscape. So people could come in and have everything they need for their dream aquascape. From what I’ve seen from fish stores. Having livestock isn’t everything. You gotta have the right dry goods. Annnd I do plan on maintaining of customers aquariums once I get a dependable staff. I’m excited.

 

[Areeflover]

Just remember there is a big difference between a hobby and a business. I remember reading a thread about that on here

Yes absolutely. I’m doing this because I love the business. I actually don’t own a single tank currently.

 

[BackToTheReef]

I have plans for that. Because I am going to be fresh and salt. I want to have a huge selection of plants and hardscape. So people could come in and have everything they need for their dream aquascape. From what I’ve seen from fish stores. Having livestock isn’t everything. You gotta have the right dry goods. Annnd I do plan on maintaining of customers aquariums once I get a dependable staff. I’m excited.

Two words for the slow summer...Pond Season

 

[dantimdad]

There are few interesting threads here on R2R related to this topic as well as some MACNA talks such as:


Let's see if we can get some input...

@dantimdad @JCOLE @vetteguy53081

Do not do a combined store and wait until the whole Covid thing is over. It destroyed my store and we are now closed.

 

[Areeflover]

Do not do a combined store and wait until the whole Covid thing is over. It destroyed my store and we are now closed.

What do you mean a combined store?

 

[KingTideCorals]

Tis an endeavor... I wish you well.. dreams of mine, but in a group... *cough cough @BighohoReef

 

[BighohoReef]

Tis an endeavor... I wish you well.. dreams of mine, but in a group... *cough cough @BighohoReef

Oh buddy... this is hitting close to home. Need to share that video.
My opinion on this matter if you go forward with any type of coral business is to find a partner or group, less like to lean on employees that have no real stake in the game. Start small, online, social media... before making a huge investment in b&m. I’m a big fan of Adam @Battlecorals watch his Coralvue videos it’ll give you some insight on how to run a successful coral business, unfortunatrly Adam is sort of a unicorn in the business he’s able to aquaculture all his corals in an amazing setup. (Anyways enough BC fan boying.). As many have already pointed out there are lots of facets of going into the coral business yourself, time, money, life and loss... it’s not an easy path but it’s possible with the right combo and formula.
I agree that you should choose one format of media salt or fresh... maintaining very different types of systems not to mention the amount of supplies needed. Just not worth it when your starting a small business.

 

[dantimdad]

What do you mean a combined store?

I mean pick fresh or saltwater

if you do well in one, expand.

I honestly believe if we had gone freshwater panted only we could have weathered the storm.

 

[Areeflover]

I mean pick fresh or saltwater

if you do well in one, expand.

I honestly believe if we had gone freshwater panted only we could have weathered the storm.

If so I’m definitely going freshwater. Salt has the stigma of being to expensive. And it keeps people away

 

[dantimdad]

If so I’m definitely going freshwater. Salt has the stigma of being to expensive. And it keeps people away

there is a shortage of knowledgeable and well stocked planted freshwater stores.