Setting up a rep shop?

[Trice]

Also,, i don't know if the subject has been brought up but..
Where would you get the money from? Not just for the initial few months rent (Which you definately would need)
But also all the vivariums, the inital reptiles, the equipment?

It is quite a few grand you'd need just to set up.

[DeanThorpe]

Thats about the only reason you need to go see the bank.. to get a loan... its also why you need profit forecasts and all that other stuff.

if you can get the money elsewhere or have it stashed then its going to be a lot easier and then with exception to talking to the licensing officer/department for your council and finding out the specifics about a pet shop license in your area, EVERYTHING else can be done online with the majority of it really imo being talking to people in the biz, finsing out for your own peace of mind what sort of mark up your loking at etc etc.

[Snakes r grreat]

Originally Posted by DeanThorpe

Thats about the only reason you need to go see the bank.. to get a loan... its also why you need profit forecasts and all that other stuff.

if you can get the money elsewhere or have it stashed then its going to be a lot easier and then with exception to talking to the licensing officer/department for your council and finding out the specifics about a pet shop license in your area, EVERYTHING else can be done online with the majority of it really imo being talking to people in the biz, finsing out for your own peace of mind what sort of mark up your loking at etc etc.

Busines managers are soo much more than just giving out loans these days Dean, the can offer so much advise that others cannot.

[Athravan]

Just remember that very few people in the reptile business get rich quick and retire on a nice fat pension. You will find my shops tick over okay but a lot close down in the first few years.. reptile shops seem to open up quite often, and then disappear, in my experience, within the first 3 years.

If you love reptiles, and want to give your life to work with reptiles, then it is a perfect job and I think anyone can open up a shop with enough research and effort. I first started doing market research (polls) in 2004. I started visiting premises, and wrote my first business plan in 2004.. the banks laughed at me. I had to get a business degree, took a break, thought about it a lot, did a lot more research, came back 3 years later, a lot wiser and more experienced, not just in reptiles - but remember, a business is a lot of work, you've got ordering, stock taking, taxes, profits, losses, accounts, self employment issues, tax credits, this, that, the other.. customer complaints, policies, refunds.. that's nothing to do with the animals, just the tedium of running a business.

If you take your time and do it right though it's worth doing and very rewarding.

I know of 5 people on this forum now who are definitely starting a shop next year - that's 5 people just on the forum. I know of at least 150 reptile shops in the England and Wales and those are the ones I know - I don't visit Scotland so don't know anything there. If you think how many new ones are opening up, it's really quite amazing

[nuttybabez]

Hiya,

Ok lots of helpful info thanks. Will try and answer some of your questions now in order of posts.

Lukendaniel - I am in Burton on Trent in Staffordshire.

In the town centre we have one pet shop which doesn't stock anything for reptiles at all. There is a pet warehouse but its about 20 to 30 mins from Burton and they have a nice but limited reptile section. The next nearest reptile shop I believe is the Hollybush in Cannock which is easily 45 mins away from Burton although it does have a very nice reptile section.

Torres - I haven't kept anything but these 2 leos myself BUT I do have a very good friend who worked with John Foden and in a very big reptile rescue for quite a long time and I was hoping to rope him into helping. I do understand that I would need to spend a lot of time looking into the care of other reptiles but I would not be looking to stock anything which was very difficult to care for or DWA.

Would probably start with leos, beardies, cresteds, carpet pythons, boas, cornsnakes etc. Also things like vivs, feed/water bowls, hides and of course livefood.

I am also fairly experienced in keeping fish so would be the option to stock basic trops and goldfish and some rare-ish plecos.

Snakesrgreat - I would have thought that this forum with very experienced keepers, breeders and shop owners would be a great place to start looking for info. I am not going to rely fully on this forum for all my info, its just a good place to start.

Trice - yep thats the sort of things I need to think about.

DeanThorpe - yes thanks.
garysumpter - thanks for your valuable input.

powderpuff girl - thanks! I did think about PM'ing him but didn't want to be rude. I will send him a message!

Trice - thanks.

DeanThorpe - thanks again.

PAGE 2

Xiorell - thanks. I am not in a big rush, just toying with the idea really.

Snakesrgreat - fully appreciate what you are saying, I don't expect to learn everything from this forum, I know I will have to go and research elsewhere as well! I don't think its easy to set up a shop, thats why I am asking for advice.

leptohis - I will have to go and find some rep shops willing to talk to me. Will mean I have to find one and take a drive as there are none local, hence my idea.

minathewitch - thanks for that info. TBH its not something I had really thought about, thats the sort of info/advice I need. Business link also a great idea thanks! Sounds like you have already looked into this!

Palmanda - also thanks a lot! Good advice - it all helps!!

WeThePeople - thank you. My sentiments exactly.

yellowratgal - yes thanks, I will have to do that as well.

Snakesrgreat - thanks a lot! I will print that off and start looking into all those things!

Palmanda - thanks. I will look into the online training.

PAGE 3

Trice - I would have to get a business loan from the bank. I understand the set up fees would be large!

DeanThorpe - Thanks.

Athravan - Thanks. Very helpful and more positive.

[DeanThorpe]

Originally Posted by Snakes r grreat

Busines managers are soo much more than just giving out loans these days Dean, the can offer so much advise that others cannot.

In what way?
Im trying to think what help a business manager is, not arguing, honestly curious, I cannot think where they could help me for instance...other than with money and crossing the T's and dotting the I's.
In regards to advise, a lot can be gotten again on business links website or even through thier numerous tutorials.. nothing specific of course and a face to face meeting with an advisor for advice is what you need.. but still asking what advice/info it is that I am not [right this moment] thinking of that a business manager would give me.

[Andy b 1]

good luck on your shop

[Snakes r grreat]

Originally Posted by nuttybabez

Hiya,

Snakesrgreat - I would have thought that this forum with very experienced keepers, breeders and shop owners would be a great place to start looking for info. I am not going to rely fully on this forum for all my info, its just a good place to start.

Snakesrgreat - fully appreciate what you are saying, I don't expect to learn everything from this forum, I know I will have to go and research elsewhere as well! I don't think its easy to set up a shop, thats why I am asking for advice.

Snakesrgreat - thanks a lot! I will print that off and start looking into all those things!

Sorry to come accross negative, but sometimes i see and get people asking me about these things, and its obvious its a spur of the moment thing, that has had about as much thought as how their going to brush their teeth tonight.

It seems you have looked into this more than originally suggested, which is excellent. I wish you all the best with this, if you go ahead with it. If you have any questions, i am more than happy to help, just ask here or pm me.

Dean, i will chat to you on msn at somepoint, it will be easier.

[DeanThorpe]

lol ok
i went to bed after that post last night and almost came down to add..
as i didnt want to make it sound liek i wouldnt advise going to a business manager...
I meant... that is something you would do when your ready and have done your research, at a later stage [or back and forth constantly, depending on how you liek to do thinsg and how unsure you are]
I just dont think bank managers and the like are gona be able to advise you specifically on a reptile shop... rather you tell them all the details and they walk you through the normal business side of things where and what specifically is applicable to that business.

[nuttybabez]

Thanks guys. I have got a lot of things to look into and I'll let you know how I get on.