{"id":18414,"date":"2022-07-06T10:22:58","date_gmt":"2022-07-06T15:22:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/?p=18414"},"modified":"2022-12-30T09:03:09","modified_gmt":"2022-12-30T15:03:09","slug":"making-a-splash-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aberdeenmag.com\/2022\/07\/making-a-splash-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Making a Splash"},"content":{"rendered":"

R<\/span>ight before his interview, Caleb Hubert was hard at work putting a plethora of new pet supplies on his store\u2019s shelves. He was quick to jump up and greet every customer that walked through the door. At just 16 years old, Caleb turned on the open sign for his business Caleb\u2019s Aquatics. His love of fish, however, developed at an even younger age.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was 12, I made a YouTube channel about fish for fun,\u201d Caleb said.<\/p>\n

Caleb\u2019s Aquatics began as a hobby operated from Caleb\u2019s home. He started with only one tank and a few goldfish.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s how everyone starts, and I made mistakes,\u201d Caleb said. \u201cI went to Noah\u2019s Critters every day, asking questions and checking for new fish.\u201d<\/p>\n

That first three gallon tank was soon accompanied by a ten gallon with a different variety of fish. Soon the number of tanks became too much for his dining room and moved to the basement, and then to his parents\u2019 garage.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I moved my tanks to the basement, it was still mostly a hobby for me. I saw people on YouTube with their own aquarium rooms, and I wanted that too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caleb describes his business as \u201cextra, extra small\u201d in the beginning \u2013 only seeing about two or three customers a week. When he opened his Facebook page, the number steadily grew. By the time he set up the garage, that number jumped up to about 20 people.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would message one person to stop by at this time, then I\u2019d go right to the next person, and it was a lot!\u201d Caleb said.<\/p>\n

With the closing of Noah\u2019s Critters in 2018 and Walmart\u2019s decision to stop stocking live fish, the demand for fish skyrocketed.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople were flippin\u2019 out!\u201d Caleb said. \u201cPeople still wanted fish and didn\u2019t want to drive all the way to Watertown. They were begging for fish. Christina Olson from Noah\u2019s helped me a lot and directed business for fish to my Facebook page.\u201d<\/p>\n

Opening a storefront was always the intention for Caleb\u2019s Aquatics.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout 8 months ago, I was picking up an aquarium from a closed business,\u201d Caleb said. \u201cI was asking them a lot of questions, and then I drove by this building on Main Street with a \u2018for rent\u2019 sign.\u201d<\/p>\n

A few phone calls later, Caleb’s Aquatics evolved from a hobby business to its own brick and mortar store. Moving in began in February of 2022.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had a lot of help from my parents, Bernie and Tina Hubert,\u201d Caleb said. \u201cThey didn\u2019t know much about animals, but they knew how to help paint.\u201d<\/p>\n

Funding the Passion<\/h3>\n

Wondering about the finances? That\u2019s all on Caleb, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously there weren\u2019t many costs when I was still at home,\u201d Caleb said. \u201cWhen things started growing, the cost of heating all the tanks got to be a lot so I paid for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

The fish started to pay for themselves. When Caleb would make a profit selling fish, he\u2019d invest that money right back into his business. Caleb bought tanks and other supplies from Noah\u2019s Critters closing sale.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome things were gifts. The signs outside were my birthday present.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caleb did take out one loan, but the money from that covered a few important items.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy car is on there, my computer for work, and a few other things,\u201d Caleb said. \u201cI could have added more, but I want to use most of my money to improve the business and not pay off a bunch of loans.\u201d<\/p>\n

Balancing Act<\/h3>\n

Having to juggle school, a business, and a social life is tricky, but Caleb makes it work.<\/p>\n

\u201cI could be an A+ student, but with everything going on, I\u2019m more of an A to B+ student,\u201d Caleb jokes. \u201cI get everything done at school, and when the bell rings I go right to the store to feed the animals.\u201d<\/p>\n

Store hours are another challenge.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to be flexible, but you don\u2019t want to change your hours too much,\u201d Caleb said.<\/p>\n

While the fish take up a big part of Caleb\u2019s time, he has other hobbies too. He showed off some of his tech equipment and said he was going to record some games at the State B basketball tournament.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome days, I just want to do nothing,\u201d Caleb added. \u201cI want to travel sometimes and I like to camp in the summer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Furry, Fishy, Scaly Friends<\/h3>\n

Caleb\u2019s Aquatics specializes in fish, and the impressive wall of fish tanks is proof of Caleb\u2019s expertise. For those who are looking for cuddlier pets, there will be plenty of other animals as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll carry basically anything but dogs and cats,\u201d Caleb said. He plans to have guinea pigs, reptiles, hamsters, and parakeets on hand, but he\u2019ll also take special orders for other animals.<\/p>\n

Live crickets and mealworms to feed scaly, slithery pets will be stocked too.<\/p>\n

Future Goals<\/h3>\n

Caleb has high hopes for his business. Currently, he\u2019s doing most of the work. Eventually, he\u2019d like to hire some help.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m still in high school so I have to focus on that. But after I graduate in a few years, I would like to expand Caleb\u2019s Aquatics.\u201d \/\/<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/i> Follow the YouTube channel that started it all by searching Caleb\u2019s Aquatics.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Stay up to date by following @Calebsaquatics on Facebook. Shoot Caleb a message or call him at 605-290-5351.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/i> <\/b>Caleb\u2019s Aquatics Hours<\/b><\/p>\n

4 – 7 PM Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday<\/p>\n

11AM – 5PM Saturday<\/p>\n

Closed Wednesdays and Sundays<\/p>\n

Address:<\/b> 418 N Main St.<\/p>\n\n\t\t