How To Start A Home-Based Baking Business

Fancy yourself as a bit of a baker? If so, then why not try and make some money from it? If you have some time and money on your hands, and your cakes and creations have gone down a treat at your community school fair, it’s worth a think!

In this guide, we’re going to take you through some of the basics you will need to get started. Let’s take a closer look at how to start a home-based baking business.

Check local regulations

First of all, check your local state health department regulations. In some states, you might not be allowed to start a food business from home, while, in others, there may be stringent checks. While it might blow your plans out of the water at the first hurdle, it’s far better to get advice first. You don’t want to waste money on a business that isn’t allowed to start – or, even worse, gets a hefty fine for illegal practices.

Get your licenses and insurance

You can’t sell food without having a license, whether you own a restaurant or bake from home. You may need to make some adjustments to your kitchen, and you can expect a few visits from the authorities to ensure you are compliant. If you have animals in your home, you may need to come up with another plan. The same goes for young children. Getting your license and permit to sell food will cost you money, so give yourself the best chance of success. You will also need to investigate different insurance plan and choose one that fits your purposes.

Develop your menu

Next, make sure that you develop a menu. What food will you sell, and what is your unique selling point? Be careful not to choose foods that are already in abundance in your area, unless yours is significantly different. The world just hasn’t any more room for yet another cupcake business! Keep your menu short, simple and to the point. Don’t overcomplicate things, and you will have a better chance of success.

Get your equipment

Invest in the right equipment and you will save yourself a lot of time and hassle. Think about packaging, too. For example, let’s say you make bread. You’ll need something like a Berkel Slicer, and printed cellophane wrapping. You will also need a bread knife. For fancy cakes, you’ll need some excellent piping equipment and some sturdy boxes if you are shipping them out. Finally, make sure that you have labels ready to print so that you can fulfill your nutritional information obligations.

Start marketing!

Now you have an idea of what you are selling, and how you are presenting yourself, it’s time to start marketing. To begin, ask your friends and family and ask them to put the word out. You could approach local businesses in your area, too, or position yourself as available for functions. Build a website, take out some ads in the papers, and target the right people. It’s one thing being able to bake, but to market, your product takes things to a different level.

Good luck – and don’t forget to send us over some tasty samples!