Starting baking business.

Ideas for Starting a Baking Business

• Answer:

  If baking all day and getting paid for it sounds like your dream job, make it come true. You don't need a culinary degree or business experience, although they can help. Start small and develop your presence within your community. Define your long-term goals, too, deciding whether you see yourself expanding into a regional presence. Most important, do your best work every time, and customers will notice. Create a Niche Think about what niche you can fill in your area. If people in your community like whole-grain, high-quality foods but have no one-stop shop for purchasing them, you could fill that niche. If you love making delectable desserts, your bakery or coffee shop could gain a reputation for offering the most decadent desserts in town. You might boast the most elaborate cakes and market to couples planning their weddings or other special events. Sell to Restaurants and Stores You don't need to have your own venue to sell your products. Before you open up that coffee shop, try selling your goodies to local restaurants and supermarkets. Ask to set up a tasting booth at a store where you can hand out samples and brochures marketing your specialties. These steps will help you test the waters, ensuring you have a market for your products and adapting them as necessary. Attend Flea Markets Flea markets and other community events are an excellent way to get lots of exposure and make many small sales. They happen at least every week in many communities during the warmer months, and people come prepared to spend small amounts of money. Slice up loaves of bread or offer tasty muffins, and watch them disappear. Let children frost their own cupcakes or cookies to draw families to your booth. Donate to Bake Sales Donate cakes, pies, brownies, cookies or breads to bake sales, and attend the sale to hand out your goods. Aim to sell sliced items that people can eat on the spot, sparking their interest in your products. Then you can chat them up, telling them how to order their next birthday cake from you or place an order for your special doughnuts. Plus, your business will gain a good reputation as being charitable and community-oriented. Go to the Source For food products like eggs, go straight to the source --- the farmers. Not only will this give you fresher, more wholesome products, but it can also cut costs dramatically. Work out an arrangement with farmers that lets you buy in bulk from them on a regular basis. This deal will help you both. Cover All the Details Choose biodegradable packaging for your products, which will please customers and help the environment. Contact your local health department or state department of agriculture to have your facilities inspected and certified, since you're required by law to have a business license.