Meet Ramon Williams | Ball Python/Reptile Breeder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ramon Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ramon, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
It took me a while to figure out that a hobby could actually turn into a business working with what I love. As a kid I always wanted to be a herpetologist, someone who specializes in the study of reptiles and amphibians. That came about from watching years of Steve Irwin and Jeff Corwin. I was finally able to convince my parents to let me get a snake (ball python). A few years back I started collecting again, and started with one snake. Then two and three till I got to the point I had a decent sized collection. At that time I was collecting as a hobby and buying from pet stores and local ball python breeders. It was then I started realizing why am I paying someone all this money to buy something I had all the ingredients and will to build myself. That was the start of me jumping all the way on board and deciding to turn my snake hobby into a profitable business. While still being able to be around and work with these animals.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The reptile business is like no other. Not only am I selling a product like other businesses but this product is alive. It’s someone’s future pet or project for their hobby as far as breeding goes. Specializing in Ball Pythons takes time to understand not only the needs of the snake but the genetics that go behind producing some of these beautiful color ways that people see. Ball Pythons come in hundreds of different color ways and patterns. Some people purchase them just for that reason alone and others are looking for specific traits to push their breeding projects to the next level. With that being said in this business you have to be very trustworthy for breeders or customers to rely on you to not only produce a healthy animal but produce an animal which you stand behind genetically. For example you can have a ball python that is worth $100 or $10,000. It’s up to me to be able to build a rapport, that my animals are what they are and worth that. It doesn’t matter if it is a first timer looking to buy a snake on a budget or an experienced breeder looking for a high end snake. I want all of them to feel that they can come to Modern Dinos and find what they are looking for and know they made the right choice.

One thing in this business that you find out is that time is your best friend. With my current career I’ve also had to make time to be able to build upon my business. Again we are dealing with live animals. Not just one or two but into the hundreds of snakes from hatchlings to adults. Some of the challenges you face are like any other pet but multiplied. That can include anything from feeding, cleaning enclosures, fresh water, being able to take care of any animal that needs vet care. The list goes on but being able to make enough time for all of these animals takes important planning and scheduling. This was something I had to find out as I began to grow year after year and is key to any successful animal business.

I really enjoy being able to breed these animals and not only produce these wild looking snakes but be able to make an animal that may gain the interest of someone who may know nothing about this type of work. I’m able to make a snake and have people that are deathly scared of snakes be able to stop for a second and learn about these animals that are misunderstood. A lot of people are just misinformed. But seeing something that they aren’t used to in a way that’s new to them allows some people to get over that fear. Or for those people that have a collection and aren’t sure if it’s possible to build a business out of a hobby. I like that they can look at Modern Dinos and see it’s possible.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Depending on the scene they are into Colorado Springs has a little bit of everything for everyone. I recommend going out to eat and drink downtown. Preferably Coati, they have a large selection of food and drinks that span the likings of everyone. Not to mention the music for the venues make a great hang out spot especially when Illadope and DJ Craft-matic and DJing.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to shout out my fiancée Angie. When I started back collecting she was hesitant about having a snake in our home. She went from not even being able to be around them to now attending reptile exotic expos with me to help sale and care for the snakes. A lot of people in the hobby/business tries to tell me it was hard, a lot of work and money being wasted to do something that isn’t profitable. But with out her I wouldn’t have been able to look past all of those people and keep going to reach where I am plus more.

Also I’d like to shout out my business partner Ryan Blair. We started out as a business transaction. I sold him a few snakes to add to his collection. He also bred rodent the most important part of the business is feeding and he was the guy I went to. After a while of knowing each other and working together, we decided to team up and push our business in the direction it needed to go.

Website: www.moderndinos.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/modern_dinos

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/moderndinos.llc/?tsid=0.5716753342667363&source=result

Youtube: https://youtu.be/5KQVsBwwens