Support for Victorian Aquaponic Store

[aussieap]

I am considering leasing some retail space 50 minutes from the Melbourne GPO.

It would be a dedicated aquaponic site retailing Murray's kits and associated aquaponic items. The site is a 350sq mtr ex car yard in a high traffic location, with other homeware stores in the same street. It has a small 4m x 3m office and we will build a 6m x 6m garage for sundry item sales. Several working kits would be located around the yard.

The business would trade M-F until 5pm and I am open to some weekend trading.

Would people living in Victoria support such a venue?

I am not looking to make a million dollars, but I do need to cover my backside and eat every now and then. Every spare cent will go back in to developing the business. Will people travel to check out a dedicated aquaponic site?

I think it is important to have a dedicated aquaponic site to spread the word in this part of the world. I feel people considering aquaponics really want to feel and touch these systems. I think there is a strong latent demand out there for aquaponic products. Murray and Joel are leading the way and I think it is past time someone in Vic put their hand up instead of doing it on a 'from home' basis.

What do people reckon? I am pretty keen to give it a crack? I would appreciate any feedback.

(Perhaps this should be in the noticeboard section Muzz, if you don't mind moving it.)

[Castaway]

Great Idea. I think wherever you set up this business, it needs a lot of passing foot traffic so people can stop dead in their tracks and see a growing food production system. Might be difficult to do in an inner city window display. What about leasing a little space in a big suburban Garden Centre or Hardware store where they sell their seedlings in a sunny corner and setting up one of Murray's kits there. Start small. You would only need to drop in and feed the fish and maintain the system as the sales people will be useless in maintaining the system and in fact actually may sabotage the endeavour through ignorance. The system will sell itself when people see the results. The Garden Centre sells the seedlings and you get to sell the kits and accessories and do the installs. A permanent display until you start making serious dollars and open up your own shop. First they see it. Then you educate them. Then they BUY. $$$ Sell the sizzle - not the sausage. Just an idea. Your main problem is not selling the kits - but educating the public. Thats where a lot of the time will be spent answering all the usual questions. Thats where you need a facts sheet, manual or DVD to have on hand.

[fishfood]

I agree with the above [below]geelong is to far to go for a bag of food or a pump you would do better to run from home with a decent webb site
theres only so many people that want or have the money for a turn key system
+ one for near a nursery i have been to a few in the last 2 weeks and they are standing roon only

[aussieap]

Hi Castaway, I have spoken to several garden supplies places and they actually see aquaponics as a threat, crazy I know. One guy said, 'if we put your system in I won't sell any more of my fertilisers'! I would have no issue with kits in these outlets, but I see it as an adjunct to the business not the primary function of the business.

Why would I let 3rd parties with little understanding or motivation control the destiny of the product? I understand the cost thing, but the rent is not a huge issue and I have supplementary income from another source. It is something that will build slowly over time and I am prepared for that.

I have looked at a small boutique window outlet with plenty sun and I just know I would always be looking for more space, so the yard site wins. The road is located between our busiest suburban strip and the main highway, many thousands of cars passing per day and growing foot traffic. It is a busy street with plenty of parking.

FF, it is about having a crack. If we were all scared to have a go, we would still be in the caves. I have a small growing business and in my experience (24 years in sales) the best time to get in is early or when people say it is too hard. If Murray and Joel didn't stick their necks out and have a crack, we wouldn't even be having the conversation.

[Castaway]

Well that sounds fair enough. Go for it. As the Recession bites in - its only going to make more people take notice and ironically be the best thing for Aquaponics!
More power to you!
Would you just have one kit on display or Murray's full range? I think you would also have to consider frequent weekend training workshops for the public too. Interest in AP is only going to increase judging by people attending Murray's recent talk on AP in the country town of Cooroy up here in QLD. Good Luck. Post some pictures of your shop when/if its set up. You have a huge Melbourne population.

[aussieap]

Got several kits in storage ready to go. Our money will go into having as many on show as we can fit into the space.

I agree with the recession thing. As FF noted, nurseries are flying, people are growing more of their own. The issue is of course water availabilty and its cost-forecast to rise by nearly 100% in the next 4 years. Soil gardening is just about to become ancient history.

I can see there is a desire for people to be somewhat more self sufficient in these tough times and if they can afford a plasma, they can afford an ap system!

Lots of workshops, invites for schools to attend etc, it's about getting the kids on board.

I have built a couple of businesses from scratch, it is hard work. If it all craps out I will have some ap systems for my home and a big 6x6 shed!

[Castaway]

I think also Retirement Villages should be approached. No disrespect to old codgers here but all those old baby boomers in wheelchairs and walking frames arguing whose turn it is to feed the trout and fiddling around with the grow beds should be fun to watch.

[aussieap]

It's funny you mention that. I used to supply a retirement village in Melbourne as a wine wholesaler. 300 self contained homes with garages onsite and nothing better to do than feed fish!

[Castaway]

The audience and predominant user base for Aquaponics is mainly males of 50 years plus. Thats the age group who are looking at AP YouTube videos at the moment. Not kids. So cashed up males 50 plus should be your focus. If you catch the younger ones with a young family - thats a bonus.

[aussieap]

Our site is very close to that particular target market. They will prolly get sick of our junkmail but we will be mining their particular postcode for all it is worth!