Do you love baking creative cupcakes for your local bake sales? Do you always receive positive feedback? If so, then you may be able to turn your skill into a business. Trendy cupcake stores are popping up all over the nation. The key to your success is to make sure you're the first in your town or that you can offer something fresh and different from your competitors. How do you know if you have what it takes? Start with a business plan.
Instructions
1. Detail the financial investment of starting a cupcake business. Once you've purchased your supplies, oven, location, inventory and permits, you may pay as much as $50,000 in start-up costs. Depending on your area, this number could be significantly lower, which is why it is important to detail all costs prior to setting out. That way you can begin looking for financiers, if necessary.
2. Familiarize yourself with the health rules and regulations for your county. The kitchen in which you prepare your cupcakes must be licensed and inspected, which is why a home-based cupcake business may prove much more challenging than obtaining a storefront. In order to have a home-based kitchen licensed, it must be separate from the residential kitchen, and adhere to a number of standards set forth by your county health department. You may be limited in what you can prepare in a licensed domestic kitchen. If you're not quite ready to take the plunge and open a store, contact your church or a local shared kitchen that offers a licensed kitchen that you can rent part-time.
3. Find your location, if you are ready to start your own shop. Safe areas with heavy foot traffic are preferable. Look for retail space within a mall, shopping center or upscale area of boutiques or condominiums. Ensure the location you choose is properly zoned. Consider getting enough retail space to be able to host cupcake birthday parties.
4. Obtain a food handler's permit and sales tax permit. If you will purchase a storefront, obtain a business license and a federal tax ID.
5. Purchase the oven, pots, pans, tables, racks, shelves, display cases, wall art and decor. Purchase cupcake boxes, liners, sprinkles, stand, pick-toppers, wrappers, gels, food coloring, utensils, napkins, trays and ingredients. Presentation is everything. Consider purchasing custom-made wrappers, boxes and napkins that include your logo. Purchase beverages that you may sell with your cupcakes such as hot cocoa, milk or teas. Be sure to keep an eye on your costs. It's easy to get carried away purchasing tissue and cute accessories for your business. Always look for ways to cut costs when buying supplies.
6. Experiment in your kitchen concocting cupcake recipes and designs. Peruse the Internet for ideas or poll friends and family. If you decide to start a website or blog, utilize online surveys to get feedback from potential customers. Provide samples around town.
7. Make friends with vendors at local farmers markets. If you intend to operate from your home, sell your goods at flea markets, bake sales, fairs and festivals.
Tags: bake sales, cupcake business, from your, kitchen that, retail space