Meet Johnathan Lowman of J.A.F.A Aquariums in Dacula

Today we’d like to introduce you to Johnathan Lowman.

Johnathan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Growing up in a small town in Savannah, GA, for the summer, I would go to my uncle’s house. He had a custom fish tank that was above his TV in his front room and I just remember always staring at the tank and the fish. I’m not sure it was a fresh or saltwater at that age. I remember staring at the wallpaper background, wondering how it would look if that was real. Fast forward to when I became an adult, I bought my family our first 29-gallon aquarium, with very little experience with how to set up anything. However, at the time, YouTube and social media was not as popular at that time to go and get useful information on how to cycle or set up a simple aquarium. Everything at that point for me was all trial and error. I was going back and forth to aquarium stores buying fish and fish chemicals that the so-called fish experts at the store would tell me to buy.

After making so many mistakes and spending so much money repeatedly on the same issues, I began to gain knowledge to self on how to handle situations myself. I’ve always been a crafty individual since a small child. If I visioned it, I would bring it to life. I set the first tank up in my tattoo studio at this time I was a tattoo artist. After gaining so much knowledge on how a tank cycles, I became more interested in aquariums. I then began buying a lot of decor from the aquarium store for my fish. My tanks began to become overcrowded with the fish growing and the decor I was adding. When that happened, I decided to upgrade to the next size up from a 55 gallon. I decided to go on Craigslist to find a used 75-gallon tank. Once that was purchased, I then needed a stand. Everywhere I searched for a stand. The stands were priced more than the aquarium. I looked at it as if I was buying a TV and the TV stand cost more that the TV. So I decided to build my own stand! After building that, I loved the way it came out. I then began to build my own 3D background for my tank.

Friends and Family would come over and admire the tank and background that was handcrafted by me but would ask me where did I purchase it from. Once I told them that I made it myself, everyone wanted one. At that point, I became more interested. Once we moved out of the apartment into a home, I listed my 75 gallons on craigslist and it sold less than 30 mins after listing it. I knew then at that point. It was more than just friends and family liking my craft. I then went and purchased a 200-gallon aquarium and customized the background, filtration, and listed it on social media, and it sold right away. However, I became so infatuated on how it looked, I wanted to figure out I could continue to stay involved, so I decided to rent/lease aquariums.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Some of the struggles along the way include having the finances and the time to be able to dedicate to my business once it was established in 2018.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the J.A.F.A Aquariums story. Tell us more about the business.
Jafa Aquariums is an all-inclusive aquarium company that gives you the option of customizing an aquarium exactly how you want it at an affordable price. We are known for our standard and premium 3D backgrounds. I’m most proud of the fact that these aquariums embrace anyone from babies, children, adults, seniors, no matter race, gender, or nationality. What sets Jafa Aquariums apart from others is that you do absolutely nothing but admire the aquarium in your home or business.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Good luck has played a major part in my business and life to be able to have doctors, lawyers, teachers, high-end owners contacts in my phone and not be a patient, or a client, but more of an Aquarium Guru to them.

Pricing:

• We can setup your All-Inclusive Jafa Aquarium starting as low as $199 a month

Contact Info:

• Website: Jafaaquriums.com
• Phone: 229-462-2763
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jafa_aquariums/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jafa.aquariums

Image Credit:
JAFA Aquariums

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