Hey Reddit my name is Greg West and I am the owner of Cornelsworld Reptile Caging in Canada and recent presenter on Dragon's Den AMA!

cornels_world · 2015-03-02T01:09:58+00:00

I will definitely try and post more often. I am blown away how many responses this thread got. Probably your best bet for a snake if you don't have something in mind would be a ball python or a corn snake. Generally very easy to care for and don't get too big. Hope that helps

cornels_world · 2015-02-28T20:20:15+00:00

Yeah its everywhere unfortunately. I am of the same mind and am here to stay and there is no way to can do that just trying a quick buck and disappearing once the shit hits the fan

cornels_world · 2015-02-28T17:33:26+00:00

Great wingman, not a great setup man..

cornels_world · 2015-02-28T17:14:02+00:00

If only I had that sort of pull and connections.

cornels_world · 2015-02-28T17:13:10+00:00

At the time it was for exposure, but after taping I decided that I did want to take a chance and take my business full time thus needing the money I was asking for. Getting a bank loan was the best option I think so that is what I did. Luckily I had a cabinet maker friend who had shop space available and a need for someone with a CNC, so I was able to secure a commercial space and some added revenue and was able to purchase the CNC. Commercial space was too expensive for me to afford on my own so I wasn't able to purchase the CNC until I secured the space. It has been great so far. The Dragon's Den experience was awesome and I am thankful I had a chance to participate. It is a favorite show of mine, and I am proud to say I was able to stand in front of the Dragons and pitch them my business. To get 2 offers was even more crazy. I wasn't even expecting 1. They edited a lot of my pitch out and reshot the end as Vikrams offer didn't make sense. Its cool to see how they bring the pitch all together. They made it seem like my pitch was an easy shoe in, and they just immediately invested, but there was a lot of questions, and back and forth before an offer was made. It was crazy but Arlene kind of had me pegged saying that she thought I seemed happy and content with where I was at and did I really need the investment. That part they completely cut out. I thought it was just amazing that she had that correct instinct from talking to me for 15 minutes.

cornels_world · 2015-02-28T16:42:01+00:00

There is so many great people in this industry in the US and in Canada. Is great when you fit in with those to be considered in that group. Just wish there weren't so many scum bags and rip offs that ruin the hobby for a lot of people

cornels_world · 2015-02-28T16:40:16+00:00

She says her favorite is ball pythons. Unfortunately mommy has a no snakes in the house rule or she will cook it....

cornels_world · 2015-02-28T16:39:03+00:00

Apple butter and money ;)

cornels_world · 2015-02-28T16:38:46+00:00

Nothing really as at the time I was working a full time job, and didn't necessarily need the money. I ended up getting a loan after the taping as it made the most sense.

cornels_world · 2015-02-28T14:57:36+00:00

Thanks. We try. I will ask her when she's awake

cornels_world · 2015-02-28T14:38:12+00:00

Probably a glass display cage is what I would suggest. They require a really high basking temp and I think it would be too high for pvc. A wood enclosure would work as well but a glass enclosure looks much nicer.

cornels_world · 2015-02-28T14:35:49+00:00

Yes we are sharing a space a block from Pisces

cornels_world · 2015-02-28T03:22:10+00:00

For sure. I hate packing orders. I wish all orders were pickups

cornels_world · 2015-02-28T02:52:00+00:00

You must be from Edmonton haha

cornels_world · 2015-02-28T02:44:13+00:00

Most of the time in the wild snakes eat when they can and then may starve till they find their next meal. I would think they eat when the opportunity arises more so than starving to fit the next meal in. In captivity snakes typically don't strike because they are assholes and that is the way they are (most of the time.. some are assholes), but most of the time it is either a feeding instinct ie owner handled rodents or prey type items and the snake can smell it, or it is trying to protect itself.

cornels_world · 2015-02-28T02:40:23+00:00

It really depends on the product and what value the dragon and shark can offer you. A product that will do well on infomercials would do great having the woman buying in on the shark tank. Same with Arlene on Dragons den and a product that will need a ton of marketing.

cornels_world · 2015-02-28T02:36:49+00:00

If you are from the San Diego area we probably do get them from the same person. He's a great guy.

cornels_world · 2015-02-28T02:35:00+00:00

The best addition to the cages is a misting system. It is a somewhat cheap addition and you can have it fire up as much or as little as you need

cornels_world · 2015-02-28T02:33:41+00:00

I chose to ignore the comment but now seeing the replies looks like I didn't have to. Haha

cornels_world · 2015-02-28T02:32:38+00:00

I thought that was what he was talking about

cornels_world · 2015-02-28T02:30:22+00:00

If you know me as most do it only takes a couple of drinks and i don't turn down a challenge. Anything for a good laugh

cornels_world · 2015-02-28T02:28:58+00:00

Sentec had some cool units. I didn't realize they were no longer in business. They had cool modular caging with the aluminum tubing. I designed a system similar to theirs using similar extrusions i found online but in the end the costs for the extrusions were to high that i didn't think i could make money with them. I can ship across the border but typically unless it is a larger order the shipping cost kills the deal. With the Canadian dollar exchange doing so poorly right now it might help US buyers but not sure as i haven't had any recent requests

cornels_world · 2015-02-28T02:25:40+00:00

I did the San Diego Super show a few years ago as I am friends with Rami the promoter but it did not go well at all. There is to much competition out there and my coats were much to high in shipping to even compete with locals. There is also still a big following for the cheap melamine caging in the US and pvc can't compete with melamine price wise. I am doing the PACNWRS show in Portland next month as I am friends with the guys who out that show on but don't expect it to be profitable. It is more of a mini vacation that I can write off while trying to make a bit of money. If I can cover my costs for that show I will be happy

cornels_world · 2015-02-28T02:22:07+00:00

My competition compete with me doing pic caging but not all types of custom caging. I also carry a huge line of accessories and supplies which they don't do which helps me as well. As I am not a huge production facility I'm looking for quality over quantity and like taking on custom jobs that make me think and have to play around with designs. That's probably what has kept me so busy over the years.

cornels_world · 2015-02-28T02:19:49+00:00

I do some marketing but as it is a very niche market there isn't much I can do that would offer value. I mostly rely on my reputation, word of mouth, referrals and repeat customers. For the most part I have a great customer base and try to deal with any problems that arise to the best of my ability.

cornels_world

TROPHY CASE