what do you think about this new business idea?
February 19, 2010 by
Filed under Ideas for Business Events
I have been baking since I was a kid and I am very good at it. I usually bake for a lot of different occasions. I was thinking of opening a business out of my home where I can take orders for certain events and either charge per dozen of a particular cookie or I can make cookie tray arrangements and sell them by the tray.
For the cookie trays, I was thinking for cookies like cannoli’s and pizelles I could charge more, or I can make just a regular cookie tray….depending on what customers would want.
I figured I could advertise in a few local spots and take phone orders for a future date.
What does everyone think about this idea? Would you pay someone to make cookie trays for an occasion? It would be great for graduations or weddings. Also, what would you pay for something like this? Any tips or ideas to improve?
Thanks soo much! Also, I wasn’t planning on quitting my full time job to do this and my mom and grandma would be helping as well.
Instead of prospecting customers and advertising, you are better off doing a quick incorporation of your business:
http://www.legalzoom.com/jump.asp?iRefer=3116&sURL=/index.html
Print some business cards, and do some networking. You should go in person to various event planners in your area, and give them a sample of your cookies. Tell these event planners you are willing to provide dessert catering for their events, they can start you off with a small role in addition to their regular caterers, but as you build a stronger relationship with them and prove your reliability, you can be given a bigger piece of the pie. Pun intended.
This will be much easier than trying to offer folks just dessert catering for their event, when they may be looking for the whole enchilada. Pun intended, again.
In my state you can’t sell food baked from your kitchen without certification from the health department. This might also be the case in your county and state. Regulations are in place for kitchen certification to protect the public from unhealthy practices in food preparation. Check with your local health department for laws pertaining to this.
Kitchen certification can be done, but it does take some investment. I learned about this aspect of the baking business after taking 3 months of cake decorating. My teacher actually sold decorated cakes from her home but she had to make renovations to her kitchen to sell to the public. There is a liability factor when selling to the public especially if there is food consumption involved.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but this is an important issue to look at. The best of luck to you!
Providing you understand that starting a small business is a BIG task, i think the idea itself is an excellent idea! I would much rather buy cookies from someone local than a grocery store. But as was mentioned, you will need a business license and tax ID number to sell to the public, as well as filing with the health department and having insurance (what if one of your cookies makes someone sick? Things you need to consider). It will take some foot work, some money up front, and a lot of stress, but go for it! If it’s what you love, do it! I am a FIRM believer in the saying “find what you love to do and find someone to pay you to do it.”
That being said, I’d probably pay $3-$5 for 2 dozen cookies, more if they are “gourmet.” To get your name out there (after going through the not so fun government regulations and you’re legally able to start cooking), get into a local farmers market or community event, and bake a TON of cookies, wrap them up with your business card on the top of the wrapper, and offer them as a sample. If people like what they taste, they’ll keep the card and call you in the future. Leave business cards everywhere. I give one to every cashier i go to, every person i talk to, etc. Also businesses like party suppliers and such that don’t provide food will be more likely to have your fliers and cards on hand, as they are in the same theme of work, but you won’t be taking business from them (the party suppliers around here only offer balloons, plates, etc, not the food itself).
You’re right not to quit your full time job, this will take a while to build a business. Businesses aren’t an overnight success, so it’s smart to keep a steady income coming in. I would highly encourage you to call your local health department (in the phone book) and your local SBDC to find out what is needed for you to get going. Find how much $$ you’ll need, and save up. Have it as a goal. There is no better feeling then knowing you own your own small business, and who knows… it could grow into your full time job!
Good luck, and I wish you well!