What Kind Of Shop Do You Run?

Just curious to see the size/scope of the people that frequent this board.

I wonder, are people kidding or are they really that good at business? What I am referring to is the WHOPPING 53.85% of people (as of 7/2402) who voted that they are hobbyists who sell just enough to support their hobby. Is there a glutt of business mavens among herpers - and if they are really doing that good they should consider going into real business as they are sure beating the odds by breaking even! Business is a hard way of life and most businesses fall flat on their faces without ever seeing break even budgets let alone a profit. All I can say is WOW - I am impressed, but I still wonder - is it that others are only fooling us and themselves by thinking they are truly breaking even after all expenses are considered?

I bet most of those are thinking:

"My food items (crickets in my case) are paid for and I can afford new animals periodically from my sales"

so they are supporting their habit.  

Your right when you become a "business" all those little things you don't think about before add up in a hurry (business license, insurance, business cards, electricity, etc)

There are people making money at this hobby? Man, I've been doing it all wrong, I just spend money. &nbsp;<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

We are in our 4 th year of open shop. &nbsp;It is ruff sometimes. &nbsp;But we pay the bills. &nbsp;It is all what you are willing to put into it. &nbsp;Many times I have been ready to go get a job and just let Arnie run the shop but we aren’t giving up yet. &nbsp;Honesty and nice animals and much care are what make the difference.
What really makes it tough is when people ripe off the small business man. &nbsp;I have bounced checks in the total of $400.00 to take to the State police right now. &nbsp;And have been ripped off by &nbsp;
Fred Tribbitt,
Mark Hart,
Michael McCaughrean of
K&amp;M Exotic Reptiles
441 N. Lewis Rd Royersford PA 19468
(610) 948-1986 &nbsp;
KandMdesignsInc@aol.com
And a few more. &nbsp;That is the worst part of it. &nbsp;Also had power outages and lost some reptiles. There is hardship as with most small business . &nbsp;Like I said its what your willing to put into it.
Chris

HI i am 14 and i sell carpets and breed them (JUst started these) i used to do balls, burms, anacondas, rocks, i would make more then 400- dollars at one show. The only reason i don't have snakes over 15 ft any more is because my mom had a baby and wanted me to go out 4 a while (And the rock got hungry one night (and out) and ate the family dog. (Terrier)
No one can't tell me they don't make money from there hobby man either u suck at selling or just have crap ( Or aren't known yet)

Do what u love and love what u do. Don't take offense to what i say these r my opions and mine a lone.

But i also don't have any bills other then food and table costs tho......

Well, P120_Cartman, &nbsp;maybe when you're more than 14, you'll realize that 400 dollars a show doesn't amount to much profit.....and that saying &quot;don't take offense&quot; after you've made an offensive statement doesn't make the statement less offensive... and that there are many hundreds of herps bred in captivity, and they are not all crap and not all profitable.

O, so you bred these 15+ foot snakes when you were 10 and 11? &nbsp;Riiiiiight.

Cartman,
I guess it seems that you also keep and breed &quot;Pythons and boas- none over 15 ft. esp chrondos, gtp's, etb's, true rtbs, and Indigos and mandarin ratsnakes.&quot;
You must have really made a killing off of your big snakes to be able to afford that collection at 14. &nbsp;
O, by the way, do you have a name? &nbsp;I mean besides &quot;Cartman.&quot;