Another starting and Maintenance business thread...

[bridun22ajl]

Hello everyone.

I have seen threads in this forum about starting maintenance, coral farm, or LFS thats why I'm asking here.

A little background...
I have working at a LFS and have done maintenance before for about a year. I have seen the money that maintenance brings in and it was pretty good. I have been in the hobby for about 3 years and am constantly learning and reading. My favorite part about this hobby is setting up new tanks and getting new equipment. I have no background in owning or operating a business and I'm unsure if I will need insurance or anything like that.

My main problem is advertising and getting clients. I have looked on craigslist.com and noticed several people/companies posting their service. I can't advertise with any LFS' because most of them offer a service as well. What are some ways you have got your name out there when first starting out?

I have a full time job for now and until I have at least 10-20 clients I wouldnt be able to leave this job and my accounts would be taken care of at nights or weekends.

If I left anything important out, if you have any questions to help answer mine, or any concerns please let me know. Im open to anything.

Thanks for reading and cant wait to hear back from everyone.

 

[JHemdal]

IMO: I wouldn't start a maintenance service unless you have the blessing of a LFS, otherwise the advertising will kill you. I had PT service many years ago, and the only decent clients I ever got came from the LFS I worked for.

Here is an excerpt from the aquarium business section of the "Advanced Marine aquarium Techniques" book:

"The reality of this business is a bit of a let down for anyone venturing to try their hand at it. Virtually all of the most successful aquarium maintenance firms are located in large metropolitan areas, and are usually supported by one of the larger aquarium stores in the region. This is not really the market a young aquarist with a bucket, net, $20 in their pocket and a 1974 Pinto should try to conquer head-on! "


Jay

 

[bridun22ajl]

The maintenance company that I worked for was owned by an LFS but when i worked in the store there were several maint. people that would come in for live stock and some other dry goods that did very well.

Im interested in hearing other peoples takes on this but i do appreciate your input, Jay.

 

[billsreef]

Jay is right. You'll really need a good relationship with an LFS that will send potential customers your way. Especially in the beginning. Also look into liability insurance, sticking glass boxes full of water and plumbing can lead to expensive damage in case of an accident. Best customers will businesses, but you'd need to be able to service during business hours. Private home owners can be nightmare, they tend to expect you to be available at the drop of a hat for silly problems, cause big emergency problems from touching things you told them not too, trade multiple voice mails with you and never tell you what the issue is...than try and hold you responsible for the problem they never told you about...

So yes, you can make money at it, but you'll work for it and deal with plenty of annoyances also. BTW, don't expect it to be lucrative, it won't be

 

[Reefer Brian]

I have no connection with a LFS. They actually hate me because I have taken many of their customers away from them...Anyway, I have 4 accounts(all offices) and that is more than enough(I am a full time electrician). I normally do all the work on nights and weekends. Cant complain about the money($55 per hour plus any supplies/saltwater/livestock). Good luck with your new venture....

 

[bridun22ajl]

SO you are saying that the only way to get customers is through a store?

 

[Reefer Brian]

SO you are saying that the only way to get customers is through a store?

Well obviously you will get the most exposure there. Word of mouth and small advertisments(craigslist and low cost local indy papers). Nothing comes to you these days, you have to search the market...if you see an aquarium at an office or store ask them if they need someone to maintain it. I have picked up 2 that way and a few others just for a major 1-2 time deep cleaning....

 

[bridun22ajl]

ok thanks brian.

looking for as many people to chime in as possible

 

[Marchingbandjs]

I bought some stuff from a guy. He had a company and has gotten so lucrative he has 3 people work for him now. He decided to make himself the middleman for fish. He built in his garage maby 40 20g long tanks hooked them togther. Then would buy the fish for cheap from distibutors, put them in his house and then would sell fish to customers he had. He would sell for what fish stores were selling even though he got from distributor. So he was his own fish store for his customers. Thus theres a spot to make money. All you need is a license i believe.

I think if you found some major companies contacted them about you info. Im sure a lot of higher end restaurants would want Large tanks in their waiting rooms, because their waits are normally very long. I would say try it on the side, and see if its working. Right now your pushing a ball to the top of the hill, once you get a some major customer the ball will start rolling down the hill, as they will tell their friends who also own tanks/want tanks.

Good luck and i would say start it on the side.

 

[bridun22ajl]

thanks for the positive thoughts. Im not looking to quit my job and expect my maintenance to tank off. I would definitely start on the side and as things got bigger take it from there. I know how maintenance works and what customers are like. I have seen the store i worked for make a very decent amount of money in there maintenance side...a lot more then im making right now.

keep it coming guys..

 

[fsn77]

While I have no first hand experience with this, I'll share some thoughts. I've been considering starting my own coral aquaculture facility for the last year or so, which means we're probably facing some of the same dilemnas and potential "brick walls."

From what you originally posted, you seem to feel that there's need for tank maintenance services in your area. Or, that you can offer better services for the same (or lower) pricing. If you're not certain about this, starting small and keeping your full time job probably has its advantages.

You may want to look into setting up a LLC for yourself. From what I've seen in looking into doing so, the cost to establish a LLC is quite minimal in the grand scheme of things. In case of extreme circumstances or property damage, it could help protect your personal assets more than having insurance alone.

When it comes to recruiting clients, I would agree that having a LFS on your side is probably best. However, if you find yourself running into aquariums at businesses that appear to be subpar, I would target those first. This is where having excellent communication skills and presenting yourself well will go very far for you. Prepare some well designed (but not overly fancy) business cards and carry them at all times. When you run into an aquarium at a business that you suspect is cared for through a maintenance contract (or even not), ask if you may speak to the person at that business that oversees the aquarium / authorizes the service for it. If you're able to speak with them, ask how satisfied he/she is with the aquarium in its current situation, then explain what you can DO (not imagine, but actually produce) to make the aquarium better for them for the rate you're charging and the time you can realistically put into the aquarium. This may seem a little underhanded or devious, like you're stealing clients from other service providers, but if that business isn't completely satisfied with their maintenance service, I see nothing wrong with letting them know there are other options available. The service contracts may have periods of time written into them, so there may a certain amount of lag time before these types of potential clients can jump over to service from your company.

As you accumulate clients, you may find it beneficial to ask if you may use them as a business reference when recruiting other clients. Having a concise, well thought out portfolio of photos showing off what you've done (even including before and after photos, if you find yourself taking over and revamping exisiting aquariums) can go a long way to impressing potential new clients -- especially if they are not hobbyists themselves and think of it as "just a fish tank."

Otherwise, I would agree with what's been stated above in regards to getting the word out. Utilize all the free advertising you can. If you cannot get in with a LFS, you may want to try and work with a local aquarium club for added exposure. While the club members themselves probably have little need or want for regular service, people do go on vacation and some will gladly pay to have someone look over their tank(s) while they are away. The club members could also be a good outlet for plenty of word of mouth exposure to local business they know.

I hope that helps... at least a little... if for nothing else but giving you a couple other things to mull over. Good luck!

 

[tuberider]

Hello everyone.

I have been in the hobby for about 3 years and am constantly learning and reading.

The money isn't quite what you see on the invoices, trust me

I suggest working in the service business for a few more years under experienced tutelage, there are quite a few problems that can arise that are beyond the scope of what you would experience in a few years. Your reputation means everything if you do not have a storefront, referrals are going to be where your new business comes from if that is the case, you screw a couple of things up and you're hosed.

Also, what kind of business background do you have? I spend as much time doing bookkeeping, scheduling, scouting new jobs, servicing my own gear etc. as I do working and that side of the business is actually more complicated then doing the actual work.