How to Be a Pet Shop Operator
People love their pets. That’s why young and old entrepreneurs alike may find success learning how to be pet shop operators. Whether your passion for taking care of pets started when you were eight-years-old and walking every neighbor’s dog on your block or you developed a love for pets later in life, there are a few basic steps you can take to operating your own pet store.
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Instructions
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Canvas your local area. Document all the pet stores -- both chain and boutique -- within 20 miles of the location where you want to open your pet store. Note what types of pet products the stores sell and on which types of pets the stores are focused.
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Decide what products and services your store will offer. Conduct market research or purchase survey data that indicates the income level and other demographic data of the neighborhoods immediately surrounding your store. Think about the best types of products to sell to the people in those neighborhoods.
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Try to carve out a niche for yourself. Think about what will make your store different than the others nearby it. Come up with a name for your pet store that reflects your products and expertise.
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Stock your store with inventory. Display the inventory in a pleasing, organized and systematic way that makes it easy for your customers to find what they need. Carry inventory that matches your theme. If you’re branding your store as the place to find unique pet products, make sure your inventory reflects that. If you advertise your store as a one-stop-pet-shop, make sure you carry grooming, feeding and bedding supplies for a variety of common pets, like cats, dogs, hamsters, gerbils, birds, fish and small reptiles.
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Arrange for the installation of telephone lines, gas, electric, water, trash and any other utilities you will need, such as Internet service.
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Hire trustworthy, hardworking, friendly and knowledgeable employees to work your store during its open hours. Decide what those hours will be and plan to be in for most of all of them during the early months of operating your pet store.
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Open a bank checking account for your business. Keep detailed, accurate bookkeeping records. Consider hiring an accountant and tax professional to help you with the financial side of your business.
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Build a website for your shop. Continue to advertise your store online, in newspapers, on community bulletin boards and at places and fairs or events where pet owners gather. Monitor which inventory sells best and make adjustments to what you sell as needed to keep your business flowing. Look for conventions that you can attend in your region which allow you to network with other pet shop owners to find out industry trends and tactics that can help you continue to be successful with your store.
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Tips & Warnings
If you sell live animals, make sure you understand and comply continually with all state and local laws governing the boarding and sale of live animals. This will help your business and ensure the health and safety of the animals you sell. Apply for a license with your state and city to sell live animals and be prepared for an inspector to inspect your facilities before you can purchase animals and care for them in your store. Obtain liability insurance and workmen's compensation insurance for your business before opening.
Resources
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