If you would like to start a business based on your love for animals, there are options aside from those of pet grooming, sitting, boarding, and pet supply shop. While these are indeed profitable and rewarding business for many animal-loving entrepreneurs, they are by no means your only options. Here are some ideas to help jumpstart your imagination:
Share your knowledge of animals with information products
Are you passionate, or at least interested in, a specific issue relating to animals? Maybe it's holistic health for animals, caring for rabbits, or rainforest birds. Whatever your topic, provided there is a demand for information about it, you can turn your knowledge into products that others are willing to pay for. Information products include written works such as print books and e-books, but you don't need to limit yourself to these. Even if you don't like to write, you can create information products, such as audio and video, membership sites, directories, and tip sheets, to name a few.
The technology to help you build this type of business is more affordable and available than ever. This is a relatively inexpensive business to start, and one of the greatest benefits is that your information product is your one-of-a-kind creation that you can profit from for years to come.
Opportunities for animal-based arts and crafts
Do you have a special talent for creating animal-based art, but never thought it could be profitable? There is a market for animal-themed functional items, such as tee shirts, handbags, totes, rubber stamps and jewelry. The sky is the limit.
You can start small by creating a few items and using a service like CafePress to test the marketplace. You may also choose to invest in your own equipment or work with companies that specialize in creating customized pieces based on your artwork. Artists and craftspeople who have created and sustain thriving businesses, cite marketing and promotion as a key to their success.
If you don't want to set up your own shop, consider licensing your art to manufacturers. There are companies who purchase the right to use artists' work on their merchandise.
Selling merchandise to animal lovers without inventory
The Internet has made it possible to sell animal-themed items without the need to open a costly brick and mortar store. Animal-loving entrepreneurs are taking advantage of venues like eBay and Amazon, and setting up their own e-commerce stores. As a reseller, you typically would need to store inventory, which can be cost-prohibitive. You also have the option of having items dropshipped to your customers.
There is a way though, for you to sell merchandise -- anything from dog carriers and natural pet food to cat care books and ecotrips -- without purchasing your own inventory. You can do this through affiliate marketing. Instead of selling your own items, you make money by promoting other people's goods. You earn commissions just like a salesperson in a brick and mortar store would. Successful affiliate marketers build their own content-rich websites consisting of special links to retailers.
Say you are interested in caring for older dogs. You could create a website and post free, informative articles about this topic, and include specialized links provided by the companies you choose to work with. When your visitors click your links and purchase that company's merchandise, you make a profit.
Of course, there is more to affiliate than just putting up a website and waiting for the commissions to add up. You still need to actively market your website. Some affiliate marketers make a very good living.
Paula Fitzsimmons is an author and writer whose work has been featured in various animal-related magazines and columns. Visit her at www.myanimalbiz.com for articles and resources about starting an animal-based business.