Geckos, Gliders and Giant African Land Snails

Actively choosing to spend seven days a week with six foot long blood pythons or giant land snails may not be everyone's preferred career choice, but as far as Jodie Lynn, manager of East Coast Exotics, is concerned, she has landed her dream job. Her shop, which stocks the largest selection of captive bred reptiles in Aberdeen and the surrounding area, recently opened its doors for trading on Aberdeen's Ashvale Place.

Jodie says: "The thought of some of our livestock is no doubt a little scary for many, but reptiles and mammals have fascinated me for years. The only thing I'm not overly keen on are the imperial scorpions, as someone who is extremely allergic to wasp stings – so much so that I could be dead within seconds of being stung - I'm not taking any chances!

"We tend not to stock the larger reptiles on a day-to-day basis but rather bring them in to order. This week, for example, we took a delivery of a six-foot long white-lipped python, which can grow up to several metres long and an average of two metres.

"It's not only creatures of the slithering and crawling variety that we stock though. With a selection of mammals, I think we have something for everyone. I defy anyone to fail to fall in love with our African pygmy hedgehogs or with a sugar glider, which is a small possum native to Australia and New Guinea.

"While all of our animals make wonderful pets, many of then require a high level of care. So for anyone interested in an exotic pet which is not too high-maintenance, I would suggest beginning with a bearded dragon or gecko, both of which have great personalities."

For Jodie's partner and business partner, Dave Smith, spending his working days getting to grips with creepy crawlies is far removed from his previous role as a materials controller in the oil and gas industry. But, having bred and kept reptiles as well as sugar gliders and pygmy hedgehogs for a number of years, he brings valuable experience to his role as head of stock control and dispatch at East Coast Exotics.

As well as finding the time to run a business, Dave and Jodie are also managing to further their education, with Dave studying for formal qualifications in exotic animal care and advanced herpetology. Jodie is currently undertaking a pet shop management course, which she will add to a number of advanced animal care qualifications from Aberdeen and Napier Universities, including a degree in zoology.

With both partners harbouring an obvious long-standing passion for animals, East Coast Exotics was perhaps destined to open, as Jodie continues: "East Coast Exotics actually came about after I joked about the idea of opening a reptile shop with Dave. I had recently left a job and Dave had been running his own gardening business, but was looking to escape the Aberdeen weather. We were both looking for something new in our lives and since we got to work on the shop idea, we have not looked back.

"We were told by another small business owner that Business Gateway should be our first port of call for advice, they didn't disappoint and I cannot thank our advisor, Adam, enough for his help. His advice and seemingly never-ending portfolio of business connections have been invaluable to us.

"We both plan to take part in some of the courses offered by Business Gateway. I don't envisage that the accounting and book keeping courses will be the most stimulating experience I have ever had, but they will be vital to the successful running of a business.

"While I don't want to blow the Business Gateway trumpet all day long, we also have the service to thank for a small grant which we received towards set-up costs of the business, and with which we bought a PC."

The PC has already yielded a website, which also offers a forum for reptile and mammal enthusiasts to share their views. Creating a sense of community is something that Jodie is keen to achieve too, as she explains: "The website forum offers those who share a passion for exotic pet keeping and breeding an opportunity to swap advice and share their experiences. I also hope that the community spirit will be reflected by regular customers returning to East Coast Exotics.

"Although the website means that enthusiasts from all round the world can become involved, it is not the extent of East Coast Exotics' influence outside the Aberdeen area. We currently operate a Scotland-wide courier service and plan to expand this nationally in the near future."

The Business Gateway service in Grampian is delivered by Enterprise North East Trust. For more information telephone 01224 289725 or visit www.bgateway.com.

ENDS

John McIntosh

Tricker PR

Office 01224 646491

Mobile 07780 680751

Email jmcintosh@trickerpr.com