Today we’d like to introduce you to Agustin Ibarra
Hi Agustin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Ever since I was a kid, my parents had birds. I as a teen had both birds and my first reptile, an iguana. It seemed like no matter what job I was working, I would find myself going back to the animals. I found a job with Karen Allen “the parrot lady” the owner of Birds and More. Even today Karen is not only a great bird resource but also a dear friend. There are few bird whisperers left in this world, she is one of them. Years later a position opened up at Animal Lovers in Torrance with Tomi Takemoto. I spent almost 25 years at Animal lovers, specializing in birds and reptiles, my passion. In 2020 although business seemed great it was the beginning of the end of Animal Lovers which closed its doors for good early 2022. During the struggle of trying to help Tomi keep the doors open, I came home to ask my wife what she thought I should do. She asked me a question back “what do you want to do?” I replied with, I’d love to have my own store, and she simply said “Then that’s what we will do.” Just like that, she put the world on hold (she’s been a business manager for 22 years) and helped me build my dream, Agustin’s Exotic Birds and Reptiles. I wake up everyday loving what I do, I have found a great team and everyone I work with shares our passion and love for all animals. We not only run an exotic pet store but also have a full time traveling nature class, teaching kids (hands on) that all animals have a purpose. We have been to schools, birthdays, scouts, 4H, YMCA and even churches. I work close with extraordinary exotic vets like Dr. Micco at Point Vicente, shes one of the best I’ve ever met. I also exclusively groom birds for rescue centers like Star Eco Station and help LA County Animal Control with their exotics when needed. It’s a 7 day a week type of business, but I wouldn’t give this up for anything.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
On January 7th 2023 at night a car crashed through our wall and into our store. It destroyed our merchandise area, and hit cages of birds. Thankfully everyone was ok. Birds stress different than other animals so it was scary for us all.
I’m forever grateful that my sisters Rosie and Dawn, my nieces, Karen, her friend Elaine and my best friend Brian all showed up to help me and my wife clean up the destruction.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Agustin’s Exotic Birds and Reptiles ?
We are known for having great exotic animals, enclosures and food. In a clean, and well maintained pet store. We hand raise our own baby birds, that are hatched right here in Los Angeles. We breed and have access to wonderful healthy reptiles.
What does success mean to you?
Success is the result of daily effort. I don’t believe it comes from being gifted, I believe it comes from working hard.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Exoticbirdsandreptile.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exoticbirdsandreptiles?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
