Retail Investor needed, Reptiles/Exotics

[CWhatley]

This may seem like a bizarre business to some people but I can assure you it's genuine.

I'm looking for an investor to help with startup costs for a business located in Cardiff, Wales. Wales is far behind the rest of the UK in terms of supply/demand and high quality reptile / exotic shops.

It might seem odd to some people but the fact of it is (and I do have a business plan with statistics and numbers) supply for "exotic" pets is increasing. We as a nation are considered a little crazy about animals - and the fascination with exotic animals is undeniable for some people. Not to mention the fact that a lizard in a vivarium is a lot easier to look after than a cat or a dog - it even requires less work than a hamster!

To get back on track, there is a demand in Wales at the moment for a medium sized exotic/reptile shop. The main problem with setting this kind of shop up that it requires very specialist knowledge to correctly run it in accordance with the pet shop licensing of the council, without offending any animal organisations, and in regards to the importation of reptiles (licensing including CITES, DEFRA, etc).

That's where I'm lucky. I know exotics, it's my area of "expertise". I am currently the largest breeder of corn snakes (producing over 150 hatchlings a year) in Wales, and am one of only 5 people this year to be producing the high-end specialist colour production morphs of leopard geckos (tangerine hybino). These are the two most popular species of reptile kept in the UK as a pet, and I have my supply right here.

I worked in a reptile shop in Cardiff for 1 year as a manager, resigning due to disagreements of the quality of life that a pet shop animal should be given. As manager, I took care of stock taking, ordering, book-keeping, customer sales, answering technical questions and aftercare. Over the course of the years i have dealt with - in person - over 200 different species of reptile and exotic, and can tell you the exact care requirements of all the ones that are sold as pets within the UK. From working in the shop, I now have an extensive list of wholesalers of both reptiles and equipment - from my private breeding, I have a list of some 350 private breeders willing to sell to pet shops within the UK, of over 50 captive bred species of reptiles. I have contacts with importers should I want to branch out into more species.

So, there's a market for it, the market is growing as more and more people realise that reptiles aren't disgusting, as the fascination grows, as prices of equipment drop and the hobby becomes more widespread - I have the specialist knowledge for it - and also, a good reputation within the trade, which is absolutely essential, because a reptile hobbyist will travel hundreds of miles to see a new shop with the animal they want.

What I don't have is money, or credit history, or collateral, or any of those useful things that are going to be absolutely essential. I have some savings and could match £5-10,000 of investment. I would ideally like that to be matched by a business investor.

I'm willing to work, 7 days a week, 8 hours a day, staffing the shop by myself. I've done it before, I'm capable of running it, ordering, selling, basic book-keeping. I am not however experienced with setting up a business and might need some help with legal documents and paperwork. If you can help me setup the business, I will take care of the retail side of things, and you are willing to match (or more) my investment.

What I can do is find the premises, set up all the vivaria and equipment, order in all the stock. I can organise the pet shop licensing from the council, and all documentation needed to keep the exotic species we will be ordering.

What I would like is a business partner willing to invest £5-10,000 for the startup costs, and willing to take a small risk on what is ultimately an interesting an unique opportunity - and one I am 100% confident will be successfull.

Please contact me, even if it's just to get a little bit more information, or perhaps some advice on how I can attract an investor into such a strange choice of products. If it's relevant, I'm 25 years old and female.