Info on becoming a Breeder?

[crestedgeckogirly]

I think it would be cool if my reptiles paid for their own "grocery" bills and maybe kick in a little toward my $400-500 electric bill, but I would keep them even if they didn't because I have reptiles for my own enjoyment. I look at it as a hobby of mine, not a business. I've taken enough business courses to know that if I were to attempt to make a living at breeding reptiles, I'd be living in a cardboard box in my mom's backyard (okay, well she might let me have the basement...). I know that doesn't hold true for all breeders, but I think netting a profit from reptiles is the exception rather than the rule.

I guess this does leave me with a question, though. Is it "bad business practice" to raise reptiles and not think of them as a business? :huh2:

I guess I just think of them as a small business. It's the only way I can justify the amt. of money I spend on them...LOL.

However, I do see your point. I think ultimately I'm just trying to break even...which would be REALLY nice...and is probably a little far fetched. However, I have sold several of my hatchlings for $200-$250 this year...so I might make it yet. We'll see what happens.

-Andrea

 

[lubricus]

Yes! Most breeders have full-time jobs because breeding leopard geckos certainly won't pay your bills!

I can only imagine what some of you must spend on advertising and websites.

 

[Intense Herpetoculture]

No Marcia, think about it. They have great business practices, just not the ethics. There is a fine balance. When is the last time you looked at reducing your costs through different set-ups that take less time, low start up costs. When you looked into costs involved with feeders, cheaper to breed yourself, or buy? How about electricty, did you compare various heating sources to costs? Have you gone after large accounts to sell your geckos? The truth is, you can make large sums of money doing ANYTHING, but it takes a certain kind of person. Most leopard gecko breeders do not have that mentality. You have to be one-uping the community. Look at Tremper, how he has made it. He was first to bring in New Zealand Geckos to the US, first to bring in superworms, opened the market to Malagasy herps, made leos what they are, etc. He is that type of person. He looks at ALL angles. The Bells are the same way, so is Bob Clark, and many many others. We are still in our infancy with the market of herps. Think about it. I'm not saying it's the best way to go, but if you want to make the cash, it's one of the ways.

Sorry Justyn, but I disagree. I can only think of a few folks that actually make a living from breeding leopard geckos, and some of them have horrible business practices!

 

[Arconna]

I'm still not sure how not making loads of money like Bob Clark or Ron Tremper by having smaller breeding projects and working full time is bad business practice. Not everyone has the option to do what Tremper or Clark do on a daily basis. Not to mention, it takes a lot of time and money to get to a point where you can make such large profits. So aside from setting up a small herp pet shop with animals you breed it's still a good thing to maintain an outside job from the business of herps.
And I wouldn't say we're in our infancy, I'd say we're more in the toddler stage. Reptiles are a lot more accepted Nationwide (and in lots of other parts of the world) now than they were say 20 years ago, or 30, or 40. Heck I would say the same about 10 years ago.
What do you mean by large accounts? Do you mean pet stores and chains, etc.? I can see why a lot of breeders avoid those places...it's practically a death sentence in most cases...
Anywho...

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I understand what you are saying, Justyn... but for me personally, I don't want to be like Ron Tremper, Garrick DeMeyer, Gourmet Rodent, or Reptile Industries. Can those breeders be 'trusted' to consistently provide the best care for their animals and produce healthy geckos to the general public? My opinion is "no". In order to be that profitable in the Leopard Gecko business, the animals usually become inventory items.

The question in this thread was: "do you think its even possible for someone to hold a full-time job and become a serious Breeder that people can trust?" My answer was, "Yes!" Because the majority of reputable Leopard Gecko Breeders work full-time jobs to pay the bills, and raise leos as something more than just a hobby.

 

[Ross Payan -LeosAnonymous]

I understand what you are saying, Justyn... but for me personally, I don't want to be like Ron Tremper, Garrick DeMeyer, Gourmet Rodent, or Reptile Industries. Can those breeders be 'trusted' to consistently provide the best care for their animals and produce healthy geckos to the general public? My opinion is "no". In order to be that profitable in the Leopard Gecko business, the animals usually become inventory items.

The question in this thread was: "do you think its even possible for someone to hold a full-time job and become a serious Breeder that people can trust?" My answer was, "Yes!" Because the majority of reputable Leopard Gecko Breeders work full-time jobs to pay the bills, and raise leos as something more than just a hobby.

Now I realize I've been out of the loop for over a year now (AGAIN!), but I wouldn't put Garrick in the same group as Tremper ethics wise. I've sold to him, and have done some ball python breeding loans with him and he has always been a super nice guy to work with. Did I miss something in my absence?

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Did I miss something in my absence?

No... all I was trying to get across was that "I" don't want to be a breeder like Garrick.

 

[Ross Payan -LeosAnonymous]

No... all I was trying to get across was that "I" don't want to be a breeder like Garrick.

Oh ok! I mis-read ya Marcia. My bad

I just wasn't sure if his reputation had changed over the last year and a half or so.