Hello, I'm new and just wondering how other reptile keepers are using this to either build their reptile business, or to educate others about reptiles in general. I kept seeing ads about joining Skool to teach others about reptiles and it intrigued me. So here I am.

Hello, my name is Ailanys and I am a novice reptile breeder. I hope I am able to learn much from this group and improve in this industry. I own a variety of species, and while it all began as being a keeper, I found a passion on working with exotics and their genetics and hope to make it my life-long career to keep working with them. My main purpose of turning this hobby into a business is to be able to fund my studies to earn a Doctorate's in Genetics with a focus in herpetology. I attempt to be thorough and my main goal overall apart from being successful is to be extremely knowledgeable in the genetics of various species and to be able to contribute to the overall identification and collaboration of those said species. I go by EcoVibe Exotics, and I currently work with Ball Pythons, Crested Geckos, Kofiau Island Viper Boas, Florida Kingsnakes, Leopard Geckos, as well as keep other species like Red-Tailed Boas, Hognoses, a Gargoyle Gecko, a Bearded Dragon, and a Blood Python. I take into consideration the morphs and quality of the reptiles I keep apart from those I simply keep as pets even though my journey has not started off perfectly or with the best reptiles. I hope to be able to learn much from more seasoned breeders and experienced vendors and plan to take this group and all comments very eagerly. I hope I am able to find a mentor to be able to take me under their wing and know when to encourage me, and also correct me in anything they feel that may be needed. 2025 was my very first Ball Python season and this year is when I've finally been active in sales with locals, but I am struggling to create an online presence. I don't believe I make much to be able to sacrifice time and money to vend at local shows, and there is a lot of competition with well-known content creators on certain platforms with the struggles of making connections with other breeders in the hobby. I hope to be able to learn a lot within this Skool group.

Good morning most breeders start as keeper's. Biggest mistake is buying up a group of animals that do not work together. They are not thinking about the future breeding. They buy a group of random animals that they like. And usually don't realize until they are months or year's in. Best to decide on what species you want to work with. Research what genetics work best together select a foundation morph to build from.

The two main market's for sales to the public. Is Expos VS Online sales. EXPO pros 1. You get personal interaction with clients. This helps build a strong customer relationship. You can answer questions instantly get to know the buyer. 2. They see your animals in person! This allows them to know temperament colors nothing can be disputed later. 3. Impulse buying. You will get sales that may not happen normally. People maybe there just to look but see something on your table they can't pass on. 4. Building business relationships with other vendors and promoters. The Cons 1. Expensive compared to online. With some expo tables costing more than a year's subscription with main web platforms. Add in travel cost hotels etc. 2. Time. Packing unpacking animals and supplies. Depending on the expo if local it's not bad but doing Expos long distance takes planning and time. Add travel time. Then spending 2-3 days at expo 3. Supplies cost. Banners ,table cloths, displays, lighting. It adds up. 4. At mercy of promoters! Some expo promoters advertise excellent. Other's are terrible! Big promotions may bring in thousands a day where small local Expos may bring in a few hundred. If a promoter fails it can be a long day with little foot traffic. 5. Usually only regional reach. Most only reach small metropolitan area. Or only a state reach. Some Expos are traveled to internationally but most are not Online sales pros 1. Reach a large audience. This gives you nationwide or worldwide reach. 2. Low cost compared to expo. Only requirement Internet connection ,ability to take good photos or videos. You can actually build a business with little investment with social media. Why some platforms are paid to post ads which reach target demographic it isn't an absolute. 3. Can be done any hour of the day or night. No set time's 4. 24/7 exposure. Once posted it will be available from then on. Cons 1. Lacks personal interaction. Sure email. Text even phone calls . But it's not the in person interaction. 2. Making sure your photos and videos represent your animals. Some use filters etc to enhance quality. I caution you to avoid i would rather get a message "it's better than pictures show" instead of it isn't as nice in person . 3. Tirekickers ! Biggest complaint by most. You will be asked thousands of questions or requests for more photo's by people who are not going to buy. "Recommendations " on my online store i have terms especially on photos! "More photo's available for a non-refundable fee. That will be deducted from purchase price" this has cut down on these requests. 4. Shipping! You have many options for shipping companies most are all good . You will need to learn proper packaging. For safety of the animal. Prepare for the worst hope for the best. Delays happen. 5. Possible scammers. Bad people in all circles. Some will scam you out of animals and money. Best to use point of sales with security. Avoid dome platforms. "For example I avoid PayPal altogether. Been scammed with easy by buyers in the past. They can wait long times do a charge back PayPal always sides with buyer instantly and you are stuck with proving your innocence. But PayPal pulls the funds from your account instantly.

To explain what a foundation morph is basically a morph you plan to build around. In ball pythons for year's most used Clown,pied ,or one of the Axanthic as a foundation. Now some are building around other recessive such as puzzle or sunset. In boa's many went around one of the albino strains or Anery. Why it's not every animal in the collection but you base heavily off that foundation. This way you can offer different combinations of this and you become known for having animals in a project so other's know to come to you when looking for this morph. For example you focus on TSK Axanthic and someone is building a group to make double recessive TSK clowns. They are likely to come to you for a combo that will work with clown. Currently most advanced projects are Double or triple recessive projects currently. In balls Hypo puzzle, ultramel sunset etc . In boa's Vpi leopard , Carbon VPI etc