What fired me up to give this business a go? When I upgraded my 6ft aquarium! I spent a fortune, and when I figured what I held in my hand it was mostly ceramic filter media and Filter Foams. Bruno is my best friend; he only deserves the best so of-course I spent the money but it didn’t sit well with me. I won’t let you guys do the same thing, that’s what motivated me to start my journey!
I initially started with the intentions of having a dirt-cheap business model, but not only does that sound great for a person that knows nothing about business, it actually isn’t good for our Hobby. It is true what business owners say, there is most definitely overheads that are not recognized by the consumer. Consumers most likely don’t recognize that there are URL and Webhosting fees, Business registrations, sample costs, air freight costs, Product photography items, Amazon fees, Carton and Website design fees, purchase of barcodes, Barcode printers, storage tubs, shopify fees, the bulk sourced products, sea freight and Port taxes. This doesn’t even include the Ads and promotions needed to have a chance against your competitors. If it was easy then everyone would do it, but ill take one for the team!
So, I found a happy medium, I searched far and wide, multiple e-commerce platforms and worked out an average. An average price where my customers wont worry about the shipping cost and won’t worry about paying overs. The products we buy from overseas, I ship them to our shores, I repackage them in my garage, then place on our market. People would lie if they said they weren’t in it for the money, but I assure you I am in it for the community and our Hobby as well. As I mentioned, this isn’t my primary source of income. I’ve spent countless amount of hours on this project which really, I didn’t have to spare, before and after work, sports and social events. I guess its someone’s fault in my family that passed a very evil gene through my DNA, the scientific name of this is ‘OBSESSION’. When I am obsessed with an idea or passion It dominates every waking minute of my day, I hope this flourishes into my work.