I'm am wanting to open a pet store and I don't exactly know what to do.?

Question

I know every thing there is about animals. I plan to sell alot of varities of animals, from aqutic to rodent, and reptile to mamal.

Answer 1

Here's the best thing to do. Go and work at a pet store. In fact, go to work for several over several month's time. See how they run their operation(s) and learn all you can. You don't have to tell them that you intend to open your own pet store...just that you love animals and would love to work with them.

Bottom line; the best way to learn how to run a business is to start from the bottom and use "other people's time and money" to train yourself.

Answer 2

If this is your first business then use it as a learning curve. The basis of business is to attract and keep customers. I have started and run a number of companies and the one thing I will tell you is win every customer you can and then do everything you can to keep them (making sure you earn a small profit).

The best business book I ever read and have built all my companies on since is called The E Myth by Michael Gerber. It teaches you how to make the business run without you. If you fail to do this all you have is a very expensive job.

Learn what your customers want AND THEN GIVE TO THEM! Things like building a database of customers and their pets so you get to know them, sending them info on specials related to them, sending the mail addressed to the PET not the owner! People will spend a fortune on their pets so just tap into it and learn to keep bringing your customers back.

Ask every customer that walks in the door where they heard about you from (measuring your marketing), run a referal programme - find a friend (or pet friend!), make your business a happy and helpful place for people to come to and they will remember you.

Sell what your customers want and get rid of stock that isn't moving (do not believe what the sales reps on the road tell you unless they will give you sale or return!).

Hope this is a good starting point, have fun - business is a lot of fun when you understand it!!

I have attached some web sites to get you started.

Answer 3

Go to http://www.score.org/ to find the nearest SCORE chapter. Contact them to arrange for a free one on one meeting with a SCORE counselor.

SCORE is a nonprofit organization. They provide a public service by offering small business advice and training. .

SCORE's 10,500 volunteers have more than 600 business skills. Volunteers share their wisdom and lessons learned in business. The volunteers are working/retired business owners, executives and corporate leaders