I want to start my own taxidermy business but i do not have alot of experience . would it be a bad idea to learn as i get business or is this a mistake? how did most of you get started ? I have bought all the viedos and have been to a few seminars . just wanted some feed back I think a can do this just wanted to know your thoughts ?
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David,
I started my business (part-time) a year ago April. Haven't went bankrupt yet! You say that you do not have a lot of experience, meaning you would have to learn as you go. Taxidermy is a concept; once you learn the ropes, you can pretty well do anything you put your mind too. For example, if you can do a gamebird you MAY be able to do other birds very well. But all birds aren't easy. Experience is everything. You have to know what you are going to do for every species that comes into your shop. There are mounts that I have never done. If someone brought in an elk, I would imagine it would be similar to a whitetail, except larger. With great reference, you can make anything look really nice. But, if you do not produce great looking work, forget it. You will not only lose business, you will ruin someones personal trophy. If you do start up, make sure you have plenty of finished work for the customers to see. Let them make the decision, if you are good enough. In any profession, experience is a necessity. Buy some capes, birds, fish or whatever you need to do to get the experience. Not only will you become a better taxidermist, but when you are working for a profit, it will go smoother and quicker. I started out doing antler and turkey fan mounts. As people came into my shop, they saw my deer mounts and lifesize turkeys. Soon, I was getting calls to do these types. Once you get your name out as a quality taxidermist then the business will come. Running a successful business is probably the most difficult part, but thats another story! There are a lot of opinions on who should be commercial taxidermists and hobbiest. I did taxidermy for 4 years before I started a shop.
Good Luck,
Brady
THANK YOU
All the bad taxidermist may have year of experience and hundreds of bad mounts hanging out there.
Seriously, like archery 1000 poorly shot arrows dont make up for ten perfectly shot arrows.
You can even look through some of the schools and see there are several that should be shut down, the teachers cannot mount anything well, but yet they are teaching! Teaching BAD TAXIDERMY!
Mount everything you can get your hands on, but take it to shows for the judges critique! Listen to the judge and listen to the judges critique of other mounts! You will see people make the same mistakes.
Each species has little quirks that make or break the mount, these little quirks are what will break or make you.
Elk, yea somehat the same as a whitetail but there are differences, learning to read your reference materials is what its all about! Once you learnt the details and can reproduce them you will do well extremely well.
Quality not Quanity is a Great Point.
Thanks for the Correction,
Brady
thank you
David if your going to mount my trophy I want the best job I can get.Until your at that point do not take work.Like the pros say practice and learn the art before you hang the sign.There are many who do not follow this and you can see their mounts on ebay that look like monsters instead of the real deal.Experts earn that title.If your going to do something,try to be the best at what you do.This way even if you fail second best is not a bad spot to be in.Good luck and practice,practice first.
I agree with Paul. I wouldn't want someone practicing on my trophy. You only have one shot to do it right. They have to live with what you do. There is no do overs when dealing with an irrreplacable trophy. It's your reputation hanging there. It can be ruined quickly by poor workmanship. Learn first compete win ribbons then go for it . and good luck
Taxidermy can be learned by most anyone. However it takes time. A school can teach you the basics but it is not a cure all. There is a lot that one needs to know that can only come with practice. Many people see Taxidermy as a fun way to make a living. Some think it to be an easy way to do it. Look long and hard before you decide to jump in with both feet. and remember. Everybody loves you, until somebody else comes along. I wish I could figure out in percentages customer loyalty. But I suspect it is somewhere in this order for many Taxidermists. 20% true blue customers. Those that will stick with you Just because they are your customers. No matter who comes by that has a better sales pitch, or fancier shop, or what ever they will be there. 40% are those who think you are the best. they are loyal customers until someone convinces them the guy down the road is better. Or he actually is. 10% just come by because you are the only Taxidermist they know about. 30% are value customers. Do not confuse Value with Price shoppers. By value I mean they come in because they feel that dollar for dollar you are the best deal. you may be higher that so and so, but your work is far better. And cheaper than the other guy. but your work is every bit as good. Remember Taxidermy is not an easy business. You must provide your own benefits. You need to be a bookkeeper, accountant, receptionist, inventory clerk. Manager, laborer, as well as wear other hats. it take years to develop a good reputation. However it takes Decades to live a bad one down. If you go into commercial taxidermy work unprepared and put out bad work. 20 years down the road one of those guys will tell his buddy who mentions he is going to take a deer to you. "Oh, I would not! I took one to him. and it was so bad I threw it away." He will not tell him it was 20 years ago. My suggestion would be take your time practice, become skilled. Do the show, and seminar thing. when the bests in the industry say your work is good by placing ribbons on it. Then you are ready to take in customer work. then you will be the latest and greatest. And will most likely be successful.