To New Breeders thinking they are going to make Big $$$

Originally Posted by KelliH

I guess this might explain why my geckos are so chubby and grow so fast.

I just remembered a few more expenses:

Web Hosting - $75 a year
Classifieds on KSnake - $250 a year
Various Forum/Classified Sponsorships/Photo Galleries - $400 a year
I don't many shows, maybe 6 a year, but there are table fees (usually $125-150 a table), travel expenses, etc, geez the list goes on and on! That reminds me, taxtime is here! Lucky for us we are a legitimate, tax paying business and we are able to write off a portion of our business expenses, even travel miles, phone/internet bill, etc.

While I understand the intent of this thread, and agree that it is good info especially for beginners, I find it amazing that I seem to be in the the minority here in terms of turning a profit. When I first started the Gecko Den, Carrot Tails and Tangerines were still commanding top dollar, I believe my initial investment for 1 SHCT Male, 1 SHT Male, 3 SHCT Females and 1 SHT female was around $2600 (Thanks Albey!) rack systems & tubs, furnishings, incubators was around $1000. Website design, hosting etc, $1000. So my initial investment was around $5000. I made that back and some extra my first year. I have turned a profit every year since. I think that if you pay attention to market trends, have a good business plan in place before you start, and don't fall in love with every new morph out there then you should be able to make some sort of profit. Granted, I'm not making anywhere near enough to quit my day job, but I am in the black and make enough to dabble in the Ball Python market at the lower morph levels without having to use money from my paycheck, much to my wifes delight.

I don't think that anyone should expect to get rich, but I also don't think "the sky is falling" either. I like to think it is somewhere between the two extremes.

and don't fall in love with every new morph out there

LOL that's one of my "problems", I like ALL the morphs!

Originally Posted by Gecko_Den

and don't fall in love with every new morph out there...

That's a tough one! I admire breeders who stick with a few select geckos that they love and constantly refine the desireable traits year after year. I believe there is always a market for selectively bred geckos.

Sounds like a little bit of self-control and hard work goes a long way.

Sam, out of curiosity, how long have you been at it. And how many years have you "turned a profit"?

thanks

lol...Kelli beat me to the punch.

Of course, I also admire breeders who "love them all" and do well with them all...

Paul,
While I have been keeping reptiles since 1990, I started planning the Gecko Den in late 2001, and purchased my first group of breeders from Albey in March or April of 2002 and produced and sold offspring that year, I turned a profit that year and every year since.

geesh this thread depressed me !! Here i was all happy thinking i was going to give bill Gates a run for his money doing the gecko thing and you guys had to shoot down my dream :-(. Oh well... I guess its a good thing that they are my favorite pets!!!

Well, I do make a profit every year, BUT!!!! If I was to count all the hours I work, I would take a loss... even if I was paid minimum wage! I remember posting my 2003 P&L's (in detail) over at Kingsnake when several members were thinking they could get rich from breeding Leopard Geckos. The thread died after that.

I must say, thank you to everyone who posted here, I know it put things into perspective for me, more than anyone may know. I think for a while I'm going to concentrate on some low key breeding, I plan on picking up 2 more and that's it for a year or 2. I love Hybinos, I can't help myself, they're gorgeous, and all I need is a male and female to produce them. I'm currently making inquiries on those. Who knows I may end up being one of those dotty people who can't let go of the babies and end up losing my mind LOL. I love my leos and cresties, my daughter does too, her favorite word is now "dedo" (17 month old speak for gecko).

Oh and Aaliyah is still dozing....See?
I spent close to $75 on the New tank and all the toys for her after throwing everything out. Even a small setup like that cost a bit. And I'm not even done yet, especially for her, she's the only one my fiance likes and she climbs on my hand. LOL She melted me from my old state, now I just want to see her babies....and keep them!!!!