The difference between success and failure is hard work and smart decisions, maybe a little luck. To quote Michael Cole, "hard work gets you the clutch, luck helps you with the odds."



Some people will be successful no matter what they do, landscaping, car detailing, pool cleaning or even snake breeding. I know hard workers who do all of these successfully. I also know someone with a fence company who has above average intelligence, but has filed bankruptcy twice during boom times. Now that things are slow he is in trouble.



I have bred snakes on a commercial level successfully for 20 years. I bred Burmese, Bloods, Childrens, Macklots, Green Tree and Carpets. Probably others that I have forgot. I bred Burmese for a living, now that is tough.



I wonder how many people here even remember when Diamond-Carpet crosses were a big deal. They sold for $375 or so, that was big money then. Now that price would be considered chump change and unworthy of the effort. How times have changed along with peoples perspective.



Here are some tips:

You have to enjoy this. It takes long hours. I work from 7am-10pm most days. I'm also an electrical contractor, if I put in anywhere near as many hours in that field I would be better off financially, but this is what I choose to do. I'm not saying others should do the same, but it is the only way I can get it all done.



I raise my own rodents. I know many who don't. I wouldn't be able to keep back all the best if I had a rodent bill to pay.



Start slowly and make contacts along the way. You need to know people at every level.



Wholesale and retail sales along with trading are the ways to move animals. You will not retail every snake through a classified ad.



Make smart decisions. Don't buy high dollar snakes if you don't have a proven track record of breeding, you need the confidence of knowing you can breed them. Don't buy a high dollar male and not have appropriate females ready for him. If that male sits around a couple years doing nothing while the price drops, where will you be then. High dollar snakes should be bought with snake money or traded for with other snakes.



In conclusion: You have to enjoy this, it takes hard work and patience. If any of this sounds scary or too much like work, don't jump in as a business. Remain a hobbyist, but remember if you run your hobby as if it was a small business and can make a buck or two you will enjoy it more.



These are obviously just the opinions of a snake kook. Thanks Mike

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