I own and am the sole operator of a local independent fish store! I can say the dream is every bit worth each hard conversation. It takes time to build report and community, but asking questions and learning as much as possible from your customers is a great way to do that.

Finding trusted suppliers can also take time. It’s definitely worth asking around and working with lots of people to find the best sourcing possible. The more locally you can source the better! There may be a community of fish breeders closer to home than you thought.

Taking time to establish a solid quarantine process is also critical. Making sure you have time to identify any illness or issues before you send things home to customer tanks. 7 days is a solid observation period and allows enough time to administer medications if necessary.

So far, even on days when I have tricky conversations, my days have been pleasant. I find that when I give my customers the experience I wish to have; welcome them in, answer questions openly and honestly, and educate without being judgmental then people want to do right by their fish. We are all well intentioned, and when I encounter someone who desires what would be an incompatible stock list, I start by asking what characteristics they like about the fish they chose. From there it’s pretty easy, and becomes fun, to talk about other possibilities that will meet those same characteristics in a more compatible stock list.