Submitted by Edward on 9/12/99. ( browning@pathway.net ) 208.198.205.152
I am considering a school in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania. I am hoping to make taxidermy a full-time career. I want to welcome any advice i can get. I am searching for how to begin a business, how to get small business loans, or if there are any federal grants available, what insurances you need to carry, and probably a million other items i am not mentioning. I am trying to get a game plan together, so if there is anyone out there, that has some advice to offer, i would appreciate it very much. We are not rich by any means and switching careers in going to be financially hard. So if you anyone has any information, please share it with us. Thanks
This response submitted by John C on 9/12/99. ( ) 204.180.103.116
Dan runs a very fine school. Push hard while there. Hope also you have taken the long cuorse Dan offers as it doe cover a lot of business tactics. As far as loans get a business plan together. I am working on one and I have 20 years in this business. Remember to be flexible in you r goals , never be afraid to drop back and punt so to speak. Check with a insurance angency in your area and they can help you. See the Small Business ADMIN. they can get a SCORE volunter to help you. Also check with your local college as they may have a course that will help in their small business development centers. John C
This response submitted by Mark on 9/12/99. ( fishguy@scc.net ) 209.32.144.99
Dear Edward, If you are wanting to start a career in taxidermy you might want to try starting out slow. Try watching some videos or reading some books before you jump into investing alot of time and money into it. What im trying to say is you might want to try doing some work before you invest everything you have into it. Then make the decision whether you want to take some schooling in the trade. It is a good trade to get into but is not a great money maker right away trying to build enough clientelle to survive. It is usually relative to your area what kind of species is available and prices others charge to gauge success. My father has been in the buisiness for 23 years in the same location and literally starved the first couple years. Most people that get into the buisiness these days start out as a hobby and gradually work into it as a full time income. Most that go great guns usually go out in the first couple years. Im sure you will get more advice on this subject on here but only a few will maybe paint a better picture on the subject. I wish I could say it was as easy as getting a college education and getting placed in a job or making good money right away but I would be straight out lying to you. Good Luck in your endeavors, Mark Ps. I don't know on the loans and grant you may want to check your state association for info regarding licensing and such.