So I have always had the passion for saltwater fish and invertebrae so I reached out to a few wholesalers to get the wheels turning and I was led to believe I just needed a business liscence to start my dream. Unfortunately I can not afford to open a retail shop in a building and I work a full time job. I could only hope I'd be able to quit my job and do this full time. I'm very interested in breeding and selling cuttlefish, clownfish, and corals. If anyone knows a company or anyone who will work with me I am very dedicated and would highly appreciate it. Thanks everyone.
Wholesalers for startup saltwater business
- Thread starter CuttleGuy
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You will need a business license for pretty much every distributor. Just because you love it as a hobby, that doesn't mean you should start a business. It takes a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to make.
You may be able to get a business license without a retail location but check how your state does it. Here you can get a business license using a home address and it's like $25.00 but even if you don't sell a single item you must report in that you didn't or they will tax you what they think it should be and it's never cheap.
I know the guy who runs Tidal Gardens made a video and he said it took him 10 years to become stable where he made a living off selling corals. So you'll most likely have to juggle both for a long time. You'll need time and a lot of money to succeed. I hate to sound so grim but it won't be easy.
You may be able to get a business license without a retail location but check how your state does it. Here you can get a business license using a home address and it's like $25.00 but even if you don't sell a single item you must report in that you didn't or they will tax you what they think it should be and it's never cheap.
I know the guy who runs Tidal Gardens made a video and he said it took him 10 years to become stable where he made a living off selling corals. So you'll most likely have to juggle both for a long time. You'll need time and a lot of money to succeed. I hate to sound so grim but it won't be easy.
You will need a business plan and will have to iron out a lot of details. Are you wanting to start a LFS or an online retail business, or become a supplier to wholesalers or retailers? You could even just do as a hobby.
Starting a business isn't the same as having a dream or an idea. If you are really interested, take a part-time job at a LFS and start learning the ropes. If you feel it is something you could run with, make the owner an offer. If he has been in business for very long, he will probably jump at the chance to get out.
Starting a business isn't the same as having a dream or an idea. If you are really interested, take a part-time job at a LFS and start learning the ropes. If you feel it is something you could run with, make the owner an offer. If he has been in business for very long, he will probably jump at the chance to get out.
My suggestion is to start breeding the clowns. Get them laying eggs that are in good shape, then put together your rearing system including food cultures. If you can get them to market size and are still interested, go for it.
For the corals, you'd probably have a better experience getting started by going at it as a hobbyist with a healthy tank who sells at frag swaps. If you find you like it, start going big.
What I'm really getting it is that I'm a fan of mitigating the risk. Go into it as an enjoyable hobby and develop a reputation as having a nice tank. Dip your toes into the commercial side at frag swaps to see what kind of work is involved. I think you'll have a better experience that way. Competition is stiff and margins are thin, but I have noticed that there is a contingent of hobbyists who seem to make a nice bit of walking money by having a well maintained system and selling frags from time to time.
For the corals, you'd probably have a better experience getting started by going at it as a hobbyist with a healthy tank who sells at frag swaps. If you find you like it, start going big.
What I'm really getting it is that I'm a fan of mitigating the risk. Go into it as an enjoyable hobby and develop a reputation as having a nice tank. Dip your toes into the commercial side at frag swaps to see what kind of work is involved. I think you'll have a better experience that way. Competition is stiff and margins are thin, but I have noticed that there is a contingent of hobbyists who seem to make a nice bit of walking money by having a well maintained system and selling frags from time to time.
organism
code monkey
The thing is even if you can get a business license nice corals aren't easy to get. If you're not local or a high dollar customer you're getting scraps. Same goes for clowns and double especially cuttlefish. At your level wholesale is not going to get you access to more than you can get as a hobbyist now.
All the stuff you want to do is cheaper and easier as a hobbyist. A lot of hobbyists have very unrealistic ideas of what wholesale is like, just keep doing what you're doing and don't make it harder than it needs to be.
All the stuff you want to do is cheaper and easier as a hobbyist. A lot of hobbyists have very unrealistic ideas of what wholesale is like, just keep doing what you're doing and don't make it harder than it needs to be.
Sorry if I wasn't clear but I have a business liscence for my home address but the wholesalers won't deal with me so I won't compete with retail stores.
Thank you, this is the type I'm looking for I will get in contact with them.
Your wrong I can fill any of the minimum order no problem, even of I would have to give away most of it, doesn't matter to me. I even offered to double the minimums. Look everyone I'm 26 have a 3 story house and a garage. 1 floor is fish tanks and reptiles, I make decent money and no kids, I'm dedicated. I know what a failed business looks like, been there. If it does fail then whatever, I'm young, have the money and can make mistakes. Didn't think I needed to share my life story to get help on a specific question. Thanks for all the encouragement guys!
alton
Well-known member
I had a friend who tried it for a year, very similar to what you are trying to accomplish. His setup was in his garage. He found only one wholesaler that gave him a discount on fish and corals. Others where not interested since there was no store front. He has since shut down.
organism
code monkey
That's the thing: you don't understand how coral wholesale works even at a basic level. You can quadruple their minimums and they won't care, because they know that the home hobbyist isn't going to do that every week. The guys getting the stuff you want are spending $1-3k every week, and you can't "give away most of it" because, as I mentioned earlier, at that point you'd be paying significantly more than you would as a hobbyist.
I worked in coral wholesale for 4 years after having a coral store for 6 years, and still do consulting for some shops. Every other day people like you would call thinking they had a golden ticket, and the biggest reason wholesalers don't deal with home vendors anymore is because after the only order they'd ever make they would call and complain that it wasn't the quality they expected.
Being condescending to people with significantly more experience than you for not giving you the answers you want to hear kind of defeats the purpose of asking in the first place.
LOL. You're 26...and you still have a lot of growing up to do. If you're willing to gamble your financial stability over a hobby, then I really do question your judgment. It's OK though, I used to be the same way at your age. The carefree concept of "living your dream" isn't as enticing as you go into your 30's.
Atleast we can now agree on the reason why they wouldn't work with me...which is what I was saying all along. To be honest corals are the leasts of my interests. Everyone has to start somewhere, 1 person out of all these posts was helpful or on topic. Read them, I wasn't asking how fo start a business or will I fail, or how much money I need. If I wanted to get bashed on my interests I would've posted it on facebook. I take constructive critisism well, but I see only 2 that are. Your experience and my experience are going to be completely different as no one does anything the same. So excuse me if I offended you but my post was clear. I don't regret it though thank you everyone, I'm now lined up with 2 wholesalers from inbox suggestions.
Well said, I don't disagree...but I'm a daytrader gambling my finances is my hobby and job. Live and learn, but whats learning if your not living.
organism
code monkey
ALLIDOISREEF
New member
Really? Ouch. I don't know how this helps anyone.
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