A taxidermy business can be quite profitable as long as you have the right knowledge. Many people will want to preserve their pets, and hunters and fishermen will also seek out taxidermists to preserve their catch. Museums are also frequent customers if you’re really good at it.
Before starting a business, it is essential that you have experience. Not many people will be willing to put their precious animals in your hands if you’re not, even if you offer them a significant discount. If you are inexperienced, take the time to learn before attempting to set up your business.
Any time you start any type of business, you will need to have a plan. You may be the best taxidermist in the world, but that won’t mean much without a solid business plan. It is also a requirement to have good management skills and work ethic if you want to run a successful business. In addition, you will have a very difficult time obtaining financial resources without a plan.
Your taxidermy business will need to be set up in a good location. You will need to check the laws in your area, especially if you plan to run it outside of your home. There may be issues with local zoning laws to make this impossible. If there are problems, you will need to find another suitable location.
Licenses and associated fees will also be required. There will be laws regarding how you can run your business as well. Depending on which state you are in, you may need to collect sales tax and send it to the state. Be sure to find out all of this information before you open your business.
You will need to have competitive prices every time you open your doors. The best way to find out what their prices are is to call other taxidermy businesses in your area and ask what their prices are. When you’re just starting out, you may want to charge slightly lower prices until you get more customers.
Networking will certainly help in this regard. As mentioned above, hunters and fishermen commonly need taxidermy services. So, consider reaching out to people in your area and see if they need your services. In order for them to participate, you may need to offer them a discount, especially if they refer some of their friends to your business.
With any type of business, you’ll need to get the word out to your potential customers. You will need to market your business aggressively instead of waiting for prospects to find you. Get a listing in the phone book and consider placing ads in your local newspaper.
It’s also a good idea to create lots of business cards and hand them out whenever you get the chance. Creating your own website is also a good idea. You can use the website to showcase your skills so that potential clients can see what you are capable of.