A.J. Kaufman
Caleb Hubert may still be a teenager, but it appears the entrepreneur is already on the fast track to a successful business career.
At the youthful age of 15 in 2022, while a student at Aberdeen Central High School, he opened his first store. Hubert’s parents helped him sign the lease for his own shop, which began with aquatic animals.
Earlier this year, he opened a second pet-related store in Aberdeen.
Now an 18-year-old, Hubert has expanded to four-legged creatures with Heads to Tails. The new business is located next to Caleb’s Aquatics, within the same building. While Heads to Tails does not contain live animals for sale, it sells retail items like dog food, treats, litter supplies and more. It also contains a boutique section with creative hats and family items.
But Hubert says perhaps the biggest part of the new business is its pet grooming and self-wash dog station.
Caleb’s Aquatics store has fish, fish foods and accessories for tanks. It also sells rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, snakes and frogs.
As many small businesses do, Caleb’s Aquatics started in his home. Eventually, Hubert opened a store on Main Street in Aberdeen. Its popularity forced a move into a larger location on Southeast Sixth Avenue.
“I always enjoyed animals, and the whole nine yards, but I also enjoy business and buying and selling,” Hubert said. “I enjoy meeting and interacting with people too and always dreamed of having my own store with animals. It was a big need. We are the only place in Aberdeen like it.”
Hubert oversees nine employees, a mixture of full- and part-time personnel.
The ongoing entrepreneurship began when Walmart closed down the fish sales area several years ago and a long-time pet store also closed its doors. Hubert saw a need, took the initiative and eventually began buying and selling fish he kept in his parents’ house to people in town.
He also wishes to credit his parents, noting “without them, there’s no way I could do it.” Despite not having a business background, they helped with challenges on the financial side, initial labor, painting, decorating and hiring employees.
Hubert says he plans to open more locations throughout South Dakota in a matter of time, although he would want to live wherever his businesses are.
“I’m always involved to make sure things are running properly, taking care of the customers and animals and providing customer service,” he said.
In addition to locals, the stores have welcomed customers from Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, Pierre and portions of Minnesota.
It’s been a grand success for the Aberdeen native, who was born and raised in Hub City. Hubert believes a lot of his achievements are due to his store’s locations and the supportive local community.
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