Would You Shop Here??

[whiteyransom]

HERE'S THE QUESTION. IF YOU KNEW OF A PLACE AROUND YOUR HOME THAT WAS SUPPOSEDLY FOR APBT'S (AND BULLY BREEDS) ALONE, WOULD YOU GO THERE TO SHOP INSTEAD OF THE REGULAR SUPERPETS, PETCO, PET SUPERMARKET, ETC?? ASSUMING THE PRICES WERE BASICALLY THE SAME AS THE OTHER, BIGGER STORES. MAYBE SLIGHTLY HIGHER.
I'M THINKING OF DOING SOMETHING LIKE THIS AROUND HERE. BUT I'M NOT WANTING TO JUMP IN, THEN WORRY LATER. IF DONE, WHAT WOULD YOU EXPECT OR WANT TO SEE IN A PLACE LIKE THIS? I'M WANTING TO HAVE THINGS FOR ONE DOG OR A YARD. WORKIN DOG SUPPLIES. AND THE BASICS. JUST LOOKIN FOR SOME FEEDBACK.
REGARDS,
WHITEY

[Doggystyle]

Why just stop at bully breeds and not expand it to the entire working dog category?

[whiteyransom]

This Could Be Done By The Internet,,,buying Anyway. I Don't Know Enough About All Working Dogs To Be Able To Do This Comfortably. I'd Want To Be Knowledgeably About What I Sell. Ya Know? But As I Mentioned, I Could Easily Have A Reference Sheet For Other Materials Handy To Order From The Internet.

[Doggystyle]

Do survey and ask how many people in your area would even be interested in your supplies. Why just stop at bully breeds and not expand it to the entire working dog category? To just have a bully breed store would be selling yourself short business wise. If you want profit which I'm sure you do then expand it. Your intentions are cool, but don't target just bully breeds. Do a survey and ask how many people in your area would even be interested in your supplies.

[whiteyransom]

True. I'm Still Brainstorming The Idea. Talking To People Iknow Around Here About It And Things. But The Working Dog Idea Is Good,,appreciate It. Surveywise,,,,,,i'm Not Even Sure How To Start The Questioning. Besides Flyers,ads, Word-of-mouth Etc

[Doggystyle]

All those marketing ideas are a great way to start. See I'm thinking of opening a online retail business. I know there are plenty already so I plan on using every marketing tool available. As far as surveys. Look at yourself as a customer in the business you plan to start and the questions you ask yourself, write them down, type them, make copies and pass them out or even call people randomly, you know like cold calling.

[whiteyransom]

I Thought About Hittin The Parks And Stuff To Get Input. I Just Really Wish I Could Reach The Real Doggers That Have A Yard. But That, Of Course, Is Next To Impossible. Since Most Of These Typrs Aren't The Type To Broadcat The News That They Own 10-20 Apbt's.

[Doggystyle]

I haven't tried to contact any "doggers", but if you say that they are hard to get in touch with about something that may benefit what they represent then they shouldn't own what they're ashamed of. Having a business is all about money motivation regardless of what people tell you. Find someone who owns a successful business and you will see that money is a motivation especially when you determine how much you make.

[whiteyransom]

my point is along those lines,,although slightly mistook i think. money and profit are my concern,,,period. being able to deal with apbt's and do so is that much more of a plus. i'm not looking for anybody that's "ashamed" of anything. some people own a yard of dogs, and usually don't advertise this. and these people ususlly have dealt with the same old--let's say-feed supplier-for years. i would want to get their attention,,and their money to come my way.

[Doggystyle]

In that case I would say before starting your business, pitch your product and build your reputation to consumers. Email and call(if you can) breeders of certain dogs that you would advertise to and for. They don't want to advertise for whatever reason then that's where you come in and suggest that you are representing something similar to what they are working with and you want to better breed, even ask them questions on what they would prefer you did if they were in your shoes. Me I'm a guy whose has his eyes set towards a different type of business so I could only give you marketing ideas. Try going to private support for tips,hints and help with business suggestions to and from breeders.

[whiteyransom]

All Good Inpt. Appreciate It Doggystyle.

[Doggystyle]

No problem! Good Luck and don't forget market yourself before your business.

[whiteyransom]

Yeah, For Sure. I Was Thinking About Starting Out At Home, And Working With Some Supplies Here And Have The Others Readilly Avaiable Online In Order To Get The Name Out.

[Marinepits]

If a shop like that popped up in my neighborhood (or the internet), I'd shop there in a heartbeat!

Put me on your mailing list.....;)

[thedude04]

same here i like doggystyle idea to of it being for all working dogs but manly for abpt's becasue thats what u know best but if u do get it started please put me on your mailing list too

[whiteyransom]

Appreciate The Input From Both, And Consider It Done If And When It Happens.

[14rock]

To be quite honest with you, I dont see the money in it that you are probably expecting. Unless you are making your own products, than there will be hardly any profit unless you jack the prices way up. In which case, most people wont consider going there. I think possibly a better route to go would be to advertise higher-quality kibble and open a small store selling premium dog foods in your area.

[whiteyransom]

That Was One Of My Main Focus Points. Canidae Only Has Three Sellers Here. And Two Sell From Their Home And Only Sell It To Help Pay For Their Own Food For Their Dogs. I Wasn't Really Expecting Huge Profits. Although Profit Is Profit. I Was Hoping To Buy Bulk In Order To Sell At A Larger Chains Price And Still Make$ Good Point Though. And I'm Researching Prices Now.

[14rock]

Well, space alone is going to be ALOT up front. Rent, your initial purchases, sponsorship and getting your name out is going to be more $$ than I think you understand. That is unless of course you plan on running it out of your house or something, in which case you still need to bulk up on all the quality products with no gurantees you will ever be able to sell them. Ya know?

[Doggystyle]

The way I see profit is I as long as I get more than I invested than all those pennys will add up( if you're good at managing money). In the words of a great rapper.......

"I took a little bit then doubled it, then double that, then doubled that and I'ma keep doubling what I got"

-Tupac

[luv_a_bull_girl]

hey u stole my ideas, thats exactly what i wanna do

[whiteyransom]

I Beleive I Mentioned I Was Going To Try And Start From Home Using Some Supplies And Have The Internet Ready To Order From Suppliers. In Order To Save The Money Required In Renting The Business, The Business Logistics Costs Etc...and For Conveinence. And This Would Start Getting The Word Out. Along With Flyers, Ads, And Word-of-mouth. Yes, It's Alot Of Work,,and A Slight Risk. Althought He Way I See It, I'm Taking A Huge Amount Of The Risjk Out By Starting From Home. Then Buying Bulk. And Having Sources Ready. The Products Can Be Sold. Ebay, Newspaper, Freinds On The Net Etc. As Doggystyle Mentioned,,profit Is Making More Than You Invested. I'm Not Expecting To Be Well Off In A Year. Time Will Be Needed To Make It Work, And Work Right. I've Previously Bought Into A Small Business, And Know Well The Risks. And The Expenses. Whicj Is Why I'm Trying To Do All Possible To Cover My Ass. This Is One Of The Things That Will Hopefully Help Cover My Ass. Each Constructive Criticosm Helps Point Out Issues Needed To Be Dealyt With And Looked At.

[Suki]

I say go for it! Working from your home to help lower expenses and keep the overhead down, i.e.rent, etc, is a good start. Then , yup, the ads, flyers, business cards, advertising, etc.On ce word of mouth gets out, and your products and reputation "sell", than it's the hope for many repeat customers, and a good referral.
Yes,as mentioned, lots to think about, but as you mentioned, as long as the "take in" exceeds the "put out", then you're on your way...
IMO, if you go with the working breeds as mentioned, yes, your marketing will have to reach more. Extend furthur, but being that the pit is the # 1 dog registered, owned, and bred across the country nowadays, why not stick with your original idea: "pit bull" stuff? I'd try that first=lots of "pittie lovers" out there, and if sales aren't as hoped for, extent into the whole working class. I bet pit owners would love to have a place to come to that's designed especially for them. With SO much discrimination in regards to this breed, it would be a welcoming and refreshing change, and probably fly around the web!!!, just to start.... but, that's just m.o. :)
Either way good luck! The only failure, is the failure to try...

[Suki]

oh, and to answer the original question,
yes,
I would shop there!

[whiteyransom]

thanks for the info. between a couple of sites, i'm getting alot of very useful info.
i really wish i knew some amish people out there! (to buy the best quality leather products and stuff!) ah well. the net still offers much.

[Doggystyle]

thanks for the info. between a couple of sites, i'm getting alot of very useful info.
i really wish i knew some amish people out there! (to buy the best quality leather products and stuff!) ah well. the net still offers much.From what I read...leather isn't preferred. Read into it. Let your business mind lead you into researching all that captures your imagination. In other words "know before you go" as we say in the Marines.

[bronxpits]

hey just lets us on the site no wen u have the site up ill b glad to order from u i think its a great idea

[whiteyransom]

no problem.
and yes, research IS the key after the initial brrainstorning and ideas are takin.
the main leatherwork i was cosidering were harnesses. some like that look for show.thanks

[thedude04]

belive it or not i know an amish family thats does stuff like that

[bahamutt99]

I've always wanted to open a 'big dog' store. Good luck with that venture; let us know if it works out.

[lockjaw]

it is better to try and fail than to go through the rest of your wondering what if i had.i own a business..first year is rough..its better to take over on someone who is going out of business..or get a couple of partners...never family and always some one you trust..

[bronxpits]

i forgot to mention this i live in new york and buy yankee stadium there i a game-dog warehouse they have everythign you can think of mills supplememnts collars set-ups bulk food medicines and they have bein around for a while, im sure they started ryght where u r from there living room to a warehouse

[440rider]

Canidae Only Has Three Sellers Here. And Two Sell From Their Home And Only Sell It To Help Pay For Their Own Food For Their Dogs
I think you have a good idea but to start into the feed dealings you are really going to have some comp in the area...I know there are only 3 dealers for canidae but the main dealer in the area your are in is Houndog and they have alot of clinics as clients and deal in bulk as well as individual bags.The give multi bag discounts and also sell performance nutritions..etc.
As far as the working dog supplies and offering an outlet for dogmen to get supplies I'm not sure there is much of a market for that in the sense that most who are into dogs have or know where to get what they need at a very cheap cost if not make it them selves. Most live in the county and you have to figure the ride into town and most supplies can already be bought at the Co-op which you can find one in any rural co. in alabama...
What do you plan on stocking as far as working dog/yard suppies?
Axles/tie outs, chains, swivels, orings, break sticks, mills, collars, breed stands etc...most supplies can be found at a hardwear store, really cheap online or made for a very low cost ....unless you make those supplies youself it's very hard to make any $$$ on it.
Considering with the right connections you can have a chain spot set-up with collar and all weather built doghouse for under $50 per dog. Tought to beat.
Just some info to think about hope it helps.