It is competitive period. Many people want to turn their hobby into a business.
Starting an aquarium maintenance business
- Thread starter Mcgeezer
- Start date
It is competitive period. Many people want to turn their hobby into a business.
CHSUB
"Certified Hobby Expert"
yes, sorry! i have thought about doing something also, in the hobby. i will be "retiring" soon and just looking to make a little "do-ra-mi" ($). however, making anything beyond "funny" money seems tough, but what business is easy?
GL
Mcgeezer
Reef gardener
Here in central Florida (orlando area) it's mostly just LFS that compete for retail business. None can really compare to World Wide Corals though...that place is awesome. From what I've gathered, most really don't offer maintenance (or at least openly advertise it or push it on customers)
My primary focus is not going to be residential, but commercial clients that simply don't have time to care for their tanks. Thats where the consistency will be in terms of revenue and growth....I can do freshwater, low tech planted freshwater, FOWLR saltwater, and reef tanks too. That way I don't limit my income streams.
I'm also not afraid to fail...nor would I be investing enough money to devastate me financially if for some reason I failed miserably. I have a background that I can always fall back on and hit the ground running again if I ever had to.
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Bent
I got nothin'
Lol you should always read my posts slow and emotionless, with zero seriousness.
I'm the driest, most flippant person on planet earth. Just ask my wife. It's a super weird personality combo.
reelredfish
Member
I think you left out what i would call a major cost.
You are working in other peoples buildings and homes so you will need to be insured for X amount.
Example we work in several of our customers buildings and have to carry $5Million insuarance in case we screw up.
Just saying dont count this out.
You are working in other peoples buildings and homes so you will need to be insured for X amount.
Example we work in several of our customers buildings and have to carry $5Million insuarance in case we screw up.
Just saying dont count this out.
Mcgeezer
Reef gardener
Ive been an insurance adjuster for almost 10 years, so I know a thing or two about it
And my original post mentions insurance being factored into my initial expenses....
A 250k combined single limit general liability policy is not that expensive. I'm not going to be dealing with extremely high end clientele (at least at first)
daveM100
What?
True, they are all over the place lol.
I think a good business plan would be to pitch setups for places like doctors offices, especially pediatric offices, dentist offices, attorneys and any other profession that has high traffic and money to burn. The high traffic being important, in fact I would create a cool inconspicuous logo/business card sticker and put it on every tank. Maybe even one of those scanner bar codes things that everyone except myself uses that will direct the potential client to your website. Obviously, the website should be professional with high quality photographs of your work. Establish yourself with all the big tank builders and don't forget to include some of the unique ones too. Like AquaVim for example. People love the funky shaped tanks and cylinders are very popular in lobby's.
While I don't do tank setups and maintenance for a living, I recently setup a cylinder tank in my father in laws pediatric office and have since fielded several phone calls of people wanting me to do a similar setup for them. As with any small business, referrals are key.
Good luck.
While I don't do tank setups and maintenance for a living, I recently setup a cylinder tank in my father in laws pediatric office and have since fielded several phone calls of people wanting me to do a similar setup for them. As with any small business, referrals are key.
Good luck.
Mcgeezer
Reef gardener
Thank you for the input. My overall idea is very similar to this...along with trying to obtain existing commercial clientele for services. It only took 28 posts to actually get legitimate advice so I appreciate it
You're welcome. As for existing clients, there's lots of commercial tanks out there that are in disarray. It wasn't until I got in to the hobby and had they knowledge to know what I was looking at. Like blankets of Cyanobacteria, unhealthy fish or serious safety hazards. Many of them were setup decades ago and the current maintenance companies do a shoddy job. Of course the challenge is finding these setups and of then convincing the client they could have something so much better.
anbosu
New member
Thank you for the input. My overall idea is very similar to this...along with trying to obtain existing commercial clientele for services. It only took 28 posts to actually get legitimate advice so I appreciate it
I would look into buying an existing business, if you can. Then you'd have a ready made client base and could expand as needed. You'd have more up front cost, but I think your chances of success would increase dramatically.
FinzAquatics
New member
If you intend on performing aquarium maintenance make sure you talk to someone about liability insurance.
I worked for a large aquarium maintenance company for several years and theres always a chance that something leaks and you don't want to be responsible for the damage costs... Well you will be responsible, but you need to have the ability to cover any damages with insurance.
I worked for a large aquarium maintenance company for several years and theres always a chance that something leaks and you don't want to be responsible for the damage costs... Well you will be responsible, but you need to have the ability to cover any damages with insurance.
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