I love baking cakes and pies. Does any one have any suggestions on starting a home business? I don't have a lot of money.
Thanks,
Sandy from Bluff City, TN
My advice is to check with your state, county, and city licensing people and make completely sure you are legal in every way, shape and form! I was trying to get a store opened here locally, had the store (paid rent for about 10 months and never got opened) and most of my equipment, but not all of my licensing. While trying to get everything in order to open the store, I was baking from my home to fill the orders I had coming in. Apparently, I took business away from somebody and they turned me in to the state. I was threatened with all kinds of legal actions if I didn't quit!
I am still in the process of trying to get enough money saved up to start a store, still only have a few things left to buy in the way of equipment and then I am going to go through all the legal channels.
Other than that, my other advice would be to have a really good recipe and a GUARANTEED hot selling item! What I mean is like Cupcakes, cookies, etc. Something that is guaranteed to bring the people in. Check out your local competition and do some comparisons to your products. When I was going through the process, I went to all the local grocery stores and bakeries to make sure that my prices were competitive with theirs. But above all, remember that your QUALITY will be what will keep your customers returning for more! Keep your quality up and above standards...you will be a huge success!
God Bless!
Sheila in Titusville, FL
i am working on this project right now.
You must realize, there are no more ''mom & pop'' businesses. Create a small take-out bake shop. You will have to write a business plan. EVERY BUSINESS whether home based or commercial requires license. This is for the protection of the public & YOU.
The best thing to do NOW is to invest in yourself by taking basic health & food handling classes. Usually the county health departments are the information sites for you. They are better able to tell you the next steps. Get a few people to buy into you. I am sure ther are those that may for a small percentage of the profits.
GO FOR IT!
I don't know where you live but in my state, you must have a state inspected kitchen, which means commercial equipment and you have to follow all their rules. I own a restaurant and cannot even bake at home for that. It my be prepared onsite. It sounds like a good idea, but you have to jump thru a lot of hoops to do it legally.
Sandy,
You're in luck. I've written a book titled "Bringing Home the Baking". It's a step-by-step guide on how to start a home-based baking business.
I have browsed the Internet for the information that is out there about starting a home-based bakery. Let's set the record straight. I teach a course in North Carolina for home-based bakers called how to operate a home-based bakery. I have been teaching for three years.
There are 17 states that allow home based baking and have what is called a "cottage law." This is perhaps the most difficult information to get a hold of. Some states regulate home-based baking via the health department, others through the state department of agriculture. You would not have thought to look there would you?
You will be able to get a copy of the rules and regulations and most states have someone come out and inspect your kitchen, at least initially.
The baked goods that sell the best are ones that are delicious and dynamic, it could be biscotti or cupcakes, Red Velvet cake or pound cake, demographics and your customer base will determine that! If you want to learn more you can pick the eBook "How to Operate a Home-Based Bakery" by Denay or take one of her classes, they're online!
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
How can I bake a good sponge cake that will melt in your mouth while eating it. What are the things I can do to make it a successful business.
By Williba
My concern is you don't know how to make the product before you are even considering becoming a business person. My advise is to scan the internet, cook books, friends and family for their fav' recipes. Then, spend a few months perfecting the product you want to sell.
The next step is having a certified kitchen to cook in. Keep in mind a local church might let you rent theirs when needed. Then, find others in other cities (so you are not a competition to them) who have successfully done what you want to do, and find out costs, licensing requirements, zoning laws and such.
You have to figure out if you want to perhaps make the cakes and sell them to places that are already established... or make and sell them at local farmers markets... or cater weddings and such. There are many ways now to make and sell food rather than opening a store which can be incredibly expensive.
You have some work to do. Starting any business is tough, but food is even tougher. I hope that you persevere because I love people who go the distance and work for themselves. I am sorry if I sounded negative... I prefer realistic. I have been in the food business and might...very big might be again. Cutting my teeth on the first one means I don't make all the mistakes on the next.
I wish you loads of luck!
This is a page about finding a distributor for homemade pies. Marketing and packaging homemade food products can be a challenging task.
