Knoxville Reptile Rendezvous

Jay Tacey

Hey everyone, welcome back to Repticon Reptile Shows! I’m Jay Tacey, and I hope you’re all just as excited as we are for the return of Repticon Knoxville—it’s coming up August 23rd and 24th at Chilhowee Park. Today we’re spotlighting some amazing vendors you’ll want to put on your must-visit list. Now, kicking things off, let’s talk about the magic that happens when a breeder really puts their heart into their animals. Cinderella Dragons is a great example—a breeder who, honestly, reminds me a lot of the first small operation I ever visited. That personal touch makes such a difference. Cinderella Dragons focuses on bearded dragons—super careful about genetics, never crossing family trees, and they’re all about healthy structure. But what gets me is the lifelong support promise. Whether you got your dragon last week or three years ago, you can call them with questions. That’s what sets the tone for, like, lifelong relationships between keepers and breeders.

Michael Arnold

And that’s the thing, right? I mean, you want somebody who’s not just gonna shove a bearded dragon into your hands and say, “Good luck.” Cinderella Dragons is reaching out to customers, trying to help even long after the initial buy—sorta like what we’ve talked about with other vendors in Salisbury and Memphis episodes. It builds actual trust. And since you brought up small breeders, Jay, I gotta mention Permission Pythons. They’re Tennessee-based. Whole family behind it—Brett, Jessica, and Will. These folks? They’re not just slinging ball pythons; they’ve got a legit buyer protection policy. Like, if I buy a snake, I want to know if anything goes sideways, I’m covered. Live-arrival guarantee, up to $250 buyer protection on MorphMarket, and transparent with clutch IDs—man, you really know what you’re getting, which isn’t always the case. Plus, they even help with seasonal shipping and flexible plans. I wish more breeders worked like that.

Lisa Parker

Yeah, Michael, it’s that family-run atmosphere that just gives the show so much heart! It reminds me—sometimes I walk by those booths and it’s like being at a family reunion, with all the passion and storytelling. With Cinderella Dragons, seeing people chat about their bearded dragons years later always warms me up. And that buyer protection from Permission Pythons—look, if I’m a new keeper and I’m nervous, that’s a big comfort. All these vendors are really continuing what we saw in earlier Repticon events, you know? Supporting customers beyond the sale, not just moving animals, but building a whole little family along the way.

Guy Mc Farlane

Absolutely, Lisa. A bit like some of the reputable breeders we talked about in Columbia too—these relationships go a long way, not just for return business, but for real animal welfare. You see it with vendors who are transparent, offer ID tracks for ball pythons, and invest in aftercare and education. That's, in my view, what moves the whole hobby forward—not just selling, but mentoring. Jay, you mentioned your first visit to a small breeder—I had a similar experience in South Africa, funny enough. That level of passion and one-on-one dialogue really sticks with you, and honestly, it keeps people in the hobby for years. All right, speaking of passion and lifelong learning, should we jump into some gecko talk?

Lisa Parker

Let’s do it, Guy! One booth I always make a point to visit—and, yeah, maybe hang around a little too long—is Gecko Girls Exotics. This is Joy C. Williamson out of North Carolina. Joy got started because her daughter fell in love with reptiles, and now it’s this boutique operation where every animal, I swear, has its own care plan. She specializes in leopard geckos, crested geckos, and bearded dragons—each one given individual attention. You want wellness? Her bearded dragons are ADV tested by the University of Florida, and she’s got ongoing relationships with local exotic vets. I actually watched a super sweet moment at an expo where Joy introduced a young girl to her first gecko—that moment inspired the kid to set up her own gecko habitat at home. Stuff like that is what makes this community so awesome.

Jay Tacey

Yeah, Lisa, I was about to say—you can just feel the extra care Joy puts into her animals and even her booth. It’s that blend of personal touch and absolute professionalism. All the animals are housed solo for minimal stress, and Joy goes out of her way to educate, bringing reptiles to schools and libraries—big time advocacy! And what really stands out for me is that education-first approach, making sure every new keeper feels empowered. It’s a classic example of how smaller scale, focused breeders can really push best practices in wellness and husbandry throughout the entire hobby.

Michael Arnold

Gecko Girls Exotics really does set the gold standard for the one-on-one, consultative approach. On the flip side, you’ve got Endless Scales—which is a bit bigger, based in Cumming, Georgia, but they’re still family-owned and operate a local storefront. Every expo, their booth is packed with variety—reptiles, amphibians, feeders, you name it. It’s almost like a reptile supply supermarket. And it’s not just about selection—they’re active across social media, and their MorphMarket feedback is glowing: perfect 5.0 stars, lots of customer engagement badges. People rave about their service. So if you want something a bit broader, or need feeders and supplies along with your first—or fifth—pet, they’ve got that all covered in one stop. It's super approachable for all levels—even for folks just dropping by a show for the first time and not totally sure what they’re after.

Guy Mc Farlane

Endless Scales feels like the marketplace anchor at expos—they’ve got something for everyone, and the customer service really brings people back, which is so important. The amount of careful selection that goes into their animals and supplies reminds me of the best practices we’ve highlighted from other big regional vendors. And, as Michael said, their MorphMarket reviews are a good sign. But what's also impressive is their outreach—they’re constantly at shows, posting updates, really building community. The vibe is education-rich, welcoming, and you just kind of feel at ease asking questions, even if you’re new. It's a lovely complement to what Joy’s doing—more boutique with Gecko Girls, broader with Endless Scales, but both really serve the beginner and experienced keeper alike. Lisa, you've managed your fair share of expos, so you know that spark when a kid meets their first reptile... it’s kinda why we keep doing this, right?

Guy Mc Farlane

Yeah, that spark goes a long way, and you can see it too when people discover there’s a whole world beyond reptiles at these events. Like, take Mid Florida Displays—they’re the go-to for enclosures at this show. Built in Florida, but their habitats and racks are all over the Southeast. They use premium PVC, which anyone who's set up an enclosure can tell you is the industry favorite—it’s moisture-resistant, holds heat, easy to clean. Their stuff is sturdy, customizable, and honestly, they’re brilliant at helping folks pick the right setup for their animal—whether you’re brand new or you’ve been keeping for decades. Functional design—locking doors, radiant back heating, LED lights, modular sizing. Those features don’t just make things pretty, they make animal care so much better. I always say, put your money into the enclosure—it pays you back in calmer animals and fewer escapes!

Lisa Parker

And then you get some of the real show-stoppers, like InvertAdorable. This is Ashley Webb out of Cleveland, Tennessee, and let’s just say—her setup is always a crowd favorite. I mean, jumping spiders! Regal Jumping Spiders, plus isopods—and Ashley’s energy is so infectious. She makes them approachable, even for the folks who think spiders are, ya know, a little too leggy. She’s got this way of educating that brings the “aww” factor, not the “eww.” Tons of useful info on TikTok and MorphMarket, and a 5-star track record to boot. Her whole goal is to help more people see the charm in “mini exotics” as she calls them. I still remember someone at last year’s show who came in terrified of spiders... walked away with a starter kit, totally smitten. That’s the power of approachable education right there.

Michael Arnold

Ashley’s doing what we’ve seen with vendors we talked about earlier this season—just breaking down barriers. It's wild how much those initial fears melt away with a good vendor and the right info. But, back to enclosures, Mid Florida Displays really brings the “behind the scenes” piece to life, right? Good housing makes or breaks not just the animal’s wellbeing, but the keeper’s experience too. I actually think expos wouldn’t be half as welcoming for newbies if vendors weren’t putting education and support first—whether it’s geckos, ball pythons, or jumping spiders.

Jay Tacey

Couldn't agree more, Michael. Good husbandry and education go hand-in-hand. And really, that's what makes Repticon expos like Knoxville so much more than just a shopping event—it's about building confidence, smashing stereotypes, and growing the entire community. I've seen people start out just window shopping, but by the end of the show, they're asking about heat gradients, bioactive setups, or, heck, showing off pictures of their first tarantula. The venue’s always buzzing with energy—kids, families, seasoned keepers, and total newcomers all hanging out and learning together. That’s the heart of what we’re building, not just this year, but every year across the Repticon circuit. All right, I know we’ve got more shows coming soon, so let’s wrap up—Lisa, Michael, Guy, any last thoughts before we sign off?

Lisa Parker

Just that I can’t wait to see everyone in Knoxville—come say hi! And remember, ask questions, try something new, and don’t be afraid to get a little obsessed. See y’all on the show floor!

Michael Arnold

Yeah, and if you see a ball python or a bearded dragon you like, ask a million questions—those breeders love it. See you there, folks!

Guy Mc Farlane

Thanks everyone, and keep putting animal welfare first. Meet some spiders, and don’t skip the enclosure booths—you’ll thank me later. Cheers, all!

Jay Tacey

All right, that's a wrap for this episode! Thanks for tuning in to Repticon Reptile Shows—we'll catch you next time with more community, more stories, and a lot more reptiles. Bye, everybody!