09/04/2026
✨ Fun Fact Friday Feature ✨
This week’s feature is: Purple Moon Aquatics, Josh Beaty 👏
We love highlighting the amazing businesses AND PEOPLE that make our community so special. We are thrilled to share so that YOU get to know them a little better!
💬 What inspired you to start your business (or join the company you are associated with)?
"My family, but I've always wanted to own something and work for myself. I hope to create something that can be passed down to my kids one day. My kids aren't as thrilled with fish tanks now that we have this business, but before, they were just as obsessed as I was. So, I wanted to create something that would help that love to continue to grow; we shall see if that will come to be."
💬 What’s something unique about your business that most people don’t know?
"Our name, the name, is also a dedication to our family. Purple is for my mom and my wife's sister; they both have passed away. Our girls also loved purple at the time. Our two boys were completely fascinated with the moon and always got overly excited every chance they had to see it, whether it be in the sky, on the TV, or anywhere, for that matter. So, we went with Purple Moon Aquatics."
💬 What’s your best-selling or most popular product/service?
"Plecos and most livebearer fish, livebearers like Guppies, Mollies, and Platy go over great with kids. It's fun for them to randomly see babies swimming around in their tanks."
💬 What’s your favorite part about being a business owner in our community?
"I honestly have some of the best customers! My business feels more like a hangout spot with friends than a store with customers. I think that is what I'm most proud of about our business. Most come in as customers and leave as friends. The love and support we have received over the past 3 years has been absolutely incredible."
☕ What keeps you going through the day?
"I'm not much of a coffee drinker, but a nice cold Monster sometimes is necessary."
☝What’s the funniest or most memorable customer experience/moment you’ve had?
"The most memorable moments for me are the looks and expressions when people have proud moments. Hearing people overcome struggles, success breeding fish, aquascaping their tanks to perfection, or just anything they are proud of. Most of the time it's nothing I have personally done other than just be here, but the genuine appreciation, excitement, and happiness make it all worth it. I know that sounds cheesy, but it truly is the simple things in life that sometimes mean the most."
🍴 What’s your go-to lunch or treat from another local business?
"We love the Sandwich and Salad Factory on the square; that is one thing we are sad about after moving off the square. They were just a couple of storefronts down lol, which sometimes wasn't always a good thing, but the food was always a good thing!"
✨ What’s one thing on your bucket list — business or personal?
"Something we would love to do with our business is create some sort of attraction that is educational, not just fish-related but environmental. We love going to public aquariums and zoos. Wilstem is here in town and has a lot of educational-type things. There are tons of interesting facts about different waterways around the world, from plant life, fish, location, and the functions they serve. I would love to set up a tank system representing bodies of water around the world and the life they sustain."
🏡 What’s your favorite thing about small-town life?
"Fish keeping is a community, so being in a small town allows me to provide for a community within a community. Word of mouth is the best advertisement, and around here everybody knows everybody. And being in a small town allows us to provide something big box stores usually don't, and that's making things more personable and building stronger relationships with people that you may have already known for years."
🎉 What’s something you’re proud of accomplishing?
"3 years ago we started this out of our basement garage with less than 500 square feet of space. After our recent move, we now have 4000 square feet of store space to grow into. I still have a job and am currently working at Walmart here in town, but with the growth we have had over the past few years, I hope this becomes my full-time job. But with the new store, I feel like we have finally made it."
"I have learned how small things can make huge differences in small businesses. One thing that helps is social media and online reviews. Whether it's a mom-and-pop restaurant, hair salon, or any small business. You can make a difference. If there are some small businesses out there that you love, let them know they're appreciated! Reviews can make or break a business."
On behalf of the Paoli Chamber of Commerce, we thank you for your dedication.
❤️
👉 Stay tuned for next Friday’s feature!
