This is for anybody that owns there own pet store. I really want to open one up in the future after I finish college. This place needs a good pet store that treats the animals right and knows what they're talking about which is hard to come by now a days. I pretty much just wanted to know what was difficult about it and what I would need to do to get one started.

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Gerp, Gerp, Gerp.

Thats great for you! Thats what my dads dream is, to make a family pet store with good prices and healthy animals. Who knows if he'll ever get to it, probably not until I'm out of school and have some money. I really don't know that much on the subject but someone will probably know what it takes, I'm going to keep posted because this is something my father should find out.

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"Reality is wrong, Dreams are for real"
-Tupac Shakur

0.2.1 Leopard Geckos
0.1.0 Corn Snake
0.3.0 Green Frogs
0.0.1 Eastern Garter Snake

I would suggest getting a job in a local store if you can, to lean the ins and outs. I'm not talking the big chains, like petco or petsmart. I'm talking the mom and pop shops.

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

And be prepared with a huge wad of cash behind you! Its going to take a lot of money to get supplies, stock, furnishings etc as well as to tide you over till you get a steady clientel built up!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

With the way the ecomomy is going now, I really dont see much of the smaller stores living. Thats me. I hate to be the downer of this but I would also hate for you to put your heart and soul into a store then have to close down cause the fact no one would buy anything. Just some food for thought.

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I believe the greatest challenge will be maintaining an inventory. It would help to take some business courses. Oh, and let us not forget the need to know the Tax codes for small businesses! Plus all the utility companies charge more for their services for businesses.
Starting up a company requires a good "Business plan". You will need to have one because lenders will be asking for it.

Oh, and it might be best to capture some kind of niche market that the other stores don't do. For example, my local mom and pop makes a lot of their money on hand raised parrotts.

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Git'er Done!

One of the biggest things would be having clients. I don't know your area, but there may not be the need for a pet store. Do some checking around and see what info you can get about if the town really needs another pet store or not. Its hard to tell you how to go about it. Just remember each area is different.

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I think that's great that you want to open up a shop! I know a bit about entrepreneurial stuff, but not pet stores specifically. The first thing I suggest you do it try to write up a business plan like Og_ said, it's needed for the business but most importantly it helps you lay out the whole thing in front of you and you can see whether you actually have the resources and endurance.
I once got all hyped over the idea of opening my own business but then I started writing the business plan and it was **** and back just trying to trademark the name.
Like these guys said: clientel basis is REALLY important to consider, alot of times entrepeneurs conduct surveys in the area first. Government policies, taxes (I shudder at those complicated tax forms), legal aspects and the financing/accounting are important for the operation. Finding the equipment and material sources (like how/who you're going to be ordering from, getting computers, desks, cages, the animals, the products, where you're getting the money etc) plus if you're hiring employees, and if you have a good location.
All of these things are just the simple basics and everything should be covered in the business plan. It really is a stressing thing, starting a business. Keep in mind that it could take a couple of years or more of you working super hard and long hours before the business even takes off, so you have to have the energy (and a heavy dose of optimism) to keep it going and not close down.

If you really want this then I think it's a great idea! I'm sick of those pet stores where the animals are depressed and unhealthy! Best wishes to ya!

thanks a lot guys for the help. i'm going to start taking some business classes this coming semester. the thing I most scarred of is putting all my money, time and effort into it for it to not even work. it's a daunting task but I feel it's what I should do. i also need to take in consideration a back up plan if it does go belly up. if God intended me to open a shop then it'll work out.

once again thanks much for the help! any more will be greatly appreciated!

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Gerp, Gerp, Gerp.