Meet Darin Miller | Exotic Pet Breeder

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

Hi Darin, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Passion for animals is ultimately what sparked my interest. I had a science teacher in 7-8th grade that had a couple exotic reptiles in the classroom. I became obsessed, often going home after school just to look at animals produced by other breeders online, but I was never allowed to have one when I lived at home. As I got older, my love for the animals continued, and I was able to acquire a few animals. I also realized there are many others out there like myself who love exotic pets. I saw some of the colors and patterns that could be produced, and I knew enough about genetics to give it a shot. Every year new color and pattern combinations are produced and that’s what drives me…. producing the next cool looking animal and putting cool looking animals into homes of people that will appreciate them as much as I do.

What should our readers know about your business?
At Rubber City Royals, we specialize in captive bred ball pythons and superdwarf reticulated pythons for investments and pets. We use what we know about genetics to produce amazing color and pattern combinations that could never exist in the wild. We have several “world’s first” animals in our collection of animals.

The obsession for reptiles started when I was in middle school, but I didn’t make a business out of it until 2021. Hindsight, I definitely should have started earlier. I finally acquired a few animals after getting married and buying a house. I found myself with more downtime during COVID to work on pairing animals to create offspring.

I’m proud to say that this past season I produced my first visual double recessive animals (Axanthic Clowns) and also produced my first quad heterozygous recessive animals to raise up for future pairings. At this point in our collection, we have over 14 difference visual recessives for Ball Pythons, 3 visual recessives in superdwarf reticulated pythons., and 2 pure localities. We also raise our own quality feeders, which is essential at the size of our collection, but has worked out to sell excess feeders to others as well when a local pet shop went out of business. One of the other things that sets RCR apart from other’s is that we include a card with the animal that includes its hatch date, clutch number, a QR code that will show the pairing, food schedule, clearing schedule…. everything a potential customer could ever want (and then some). I found at reptile shows that so many other breeders (many bigger than myself) don’t even have the birth date for the animals that they’re selling on hand, and I felt that the industry is shifting to the place where that’s not acceptable anymore.

The business side isn’t easy; trying to set yourself apart from other breeders out there. Convincing customers that spending a little bit more on higher quality animals is better in the long run is difficult especially when the overall economy has tightened up where customers are choosing to spend less money on a pet and perhaps more on other household needs. I think the key is to find the right balance of “investment” animals and pet quality animals, along with continuing to work on the projects that you’re passionate about. Every market has its risks and dips. I believe a proper amount of risk management along with refocusing on working through those dips to come out of the other side in a better position is what’s crucial for success. I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is don’t wait to get into something that your passionate about….no amount of money that can buy back lost time.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Akron Ohio aka The Rubber City is primary known for being the tire capitol of the world. We have Goodyear headquarters and Bridgestone (formerly Firestone) and a few others.

If you like golf, there’s Firestone Country Club which has three 18-hole championship courses. several of have hosted PGA tournaments such as NEC World Series of Golf and the Bridgestone Invitational. It now hosts the Kaulig Companies Championship for the Senior PGA tour.

There’re a few popular local restaurants such as Luigis Pizza and Ken Stewards lounge. We also have Pav’s creamery which sells all kinds of ice cream including alcoholic ice cream-based desserts.

We also have Portage Lakes which is a group of lakes where you can fish or boat.d

Take a couple days to travel north an hour and a half to Cedar Point for some of the biggest fastest roller coasters in the U.S.

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?
Shandenara Miller. My spouse who is supportive of my obsessions, helps me with social media and photography through her own business SDM Photography.

Website: https://www.morphmarket.com/stores/rubbercityroyals/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rubbercityroyals/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rubbercityroyals/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Kewx0Rzs3otyiyTLzstxQ

Image Credits
Darin Miller
SDM Photography by Shanna