Today we’d like to introduce you to Jilian Allen.
Hi Jilian, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Back in 2020, my father-in-law, and owner of Aquarium Outfitters, Kurt Lund, stepped away and asked me to take a roll at the store. He opened Aquarium Outfitters, in Wake Forest, in 1990. Prior to that, he had a storefront in Raleigh called Coral Seas. What began as me “helping out” in his absence during Covid, turned into him partially retiring, and me stepping in to a more permanent role. I first began working for Kurt handling his website, and social media in 2013, as a way for me to earn a little income while staying home with my son. In January of 2021, I began handling all employees, and day-to-day operations for the store “behind the scenes”. My job was payroll, taxes, store supply ordering, hiring employees, and beginning to learn fish store basics. Unfortunately, Kurt passed in September of 2024, leaving the store to his son, my husband, Dustin, and myself. Our hope is to bring this staple of Wake Forest back to life and leave for our children to have one day.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road however. Because we were able to stay open during Covid, we actually had our best year in sales…ever. 2020 through 2022 were phenomenal years for us. We needed some maintenance and upkeep done around the store, and we were fortunate enough to pay for those without needing loans. We were able to pay for a roof outright, but the company did not do a thorough job, and unfortunately, here we are 4 years later needing a new roof.
It also was hard stepping into a role I knew nothing about, jumping head first. I thankfully had Kurt there to help guide me and answer questions I had along the way.
Now, in his absence, I find myself wishing I had talked to him more about the actual “fish” side of things instead of just the back-end role I was in. My husband and I are trying our best to do what Kurt “would have wanted” or done, but making sure we are continually growing and improving the store and our customers experience. For many years we had a bad reputation, and we are daily trying to turn that around.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We are a local pet store that was established in 1990. We offer a wide selection of freshwater fish, and plants, saltwater fish, invertebrates, coral, pond fish, and reptiles. Along with the different types of fish and reptiles, we have tanks and terrariums, pumps, filters, decor, food and much more. Within the last couple of years, we have branched out into doing aquarium set-ups and maintenance for customers, as well as pond builds and maintenance. We have an “In-house” breeding area of mice and rats for those reptile enthusiasts needing and wanting live, and frozen feeders.
One thing we really pride ourselves in is having individually filtered aquariums. Unlike most stores. we do water changes on each tank separately- siphoning through the gravel, and filling it back up, one at a time. This prevents sickness spreading throughout the whole system. When a tank shows signs of illness, we don’t have to worry about it spreading to other tanks. We immediately mark that tank as “not for sale” and treat until all signs of sickness are gone.
I am most proud that we are still around! What an honor to say you have the ability to carry on your father-in-laws legacy, a staple in Wake Forest, for future generations!
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up I was very active in our local church, and in sports. I played soccer for a few years, cheerleading, basketball, softball for 7 years, and show choir for 3. I had a heart for helping others, which has continued into adulthood. I went away to college being undecided. I finally landed in healthcare- landing on becoming a Radiologic Technologist. Little did I know, that wasn’t what God ultimately had in store for me. I was fortunate enough to stay home with my kids until they were school age. Then the “pet store” was presented to me and it was an offer I couldn’t refuse- continue to be mom, and wife, while running a family business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aquariumoutfitterscarolina.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aquariumoutfitterscarolina/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aquariumoutfitterscarolina
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AquariumOutfittersCarolina
