The BoidSmith
08-06-2006, 09:44 AM
Decades ago people enjoyed, garters, corns, milk snakes, and water turtles for what they were. The most advanced later “graduated” to some exotic species with common boas as the large constrictors of choice for many. There were no obsessions of reptiles becoming a source of income. Nowadays we want to emulate the path that some have successfully followed but it seems that most are obsessed of being big and getting there faster. We get caught in the bigger and faster race and we loose perspective of building a business that reflects our values and will be sustainable in the long run.
Let's face it, it will take at least ten to fifteen years to build a good business. Not anyone can get a loan of $100,000 to start with. And if they do is the wrong start. Some of those that can’t afford to have a decent living themselves decide that the big money is where the snake morphs are.
They see ads in the web for 50 K snakes and their eyes glitter. That’s when they start to loose the battle, they need to get there fast. But they don’t have a business plan on how to get there. They don't even have the money. They don’t understand that the foundations of a strong sustainable business are built slowly…it’s not calling a truck and pouring the concrete. We need to get better before than bigger. Better not only in our knowledge of the herps we want to keep and breed but also in how we deal with people. Because if one is thinking in doing this as a source of income, the customers are the ones who will play the most important part in it. It doesn’t matter if you own the largest and most colorful collection of animals if you don’t know how to deal with people.
The other thing you need is passion. If you are truly passionate about the reptiles you will be able to wait. They will breed for you because you will put the time into having them in optimum conditions. Yes, goals are important but more important is to enjoy the journey without too much pressure. And even at times it may be necessary to put a brake on your expansion and scale back, if not you will get nowhere fast.
Regards
Let's face it, it will take at least ten to fifteen years to build a good business. Not anyone can get a loan of $100,000 to start with. And if they do is the wrong start. Some of those that can’t afford to have a decent living themselves decide that the big money is where the snake morphs are.
They see ads in the web for 50 K snakes and their eyes glitter. That’s when they start to loose the battle, they need to get there fast. But they don’t have a business plan on how to get there. They don't even have the money. They don’t understand that the foundations of a strong sustainable business are built slowly…it’s not calling a truck and pouring the concrete. We need to get better before than bigger. Better not only in our knowledge of the herps we want to keep and breed but also in how we deal with people. Because if one is thinking in doing this as a source of income, the customers are the ones who will play the most important part in it. It doesn’t matter if you own the largest and most colorful collection of animals if you don’t know how to deal with people.
The other thing you need is passion. If you are truly passionate about the reptiles you will be able to wait. They will breed for you because you will put the time into having them in optimum conditions. Yes, goals are important but more important is to enjoy the journey without too much pressure. And even at times it may be necessary to put a brake on your expansion and scale back, if not you will get nowhere fast.
Regards