Question

Topic: Advertising/PR

Home-based Cake Business Launch

Posted by Anonymous on 11/12/2010 at 10:22 AM ET 250 Points
My sister and I are trying to start a cake/cupcake business in our small town. Word of mouth is great, but we don't know how to start. We want to post flyers, maybe put out some brochures at local businesses but don't know what to put on these. Can you give me a starting point? We've baked lots of samples and shared with some of our friends, coworkers, and family but haven't actually sold anything.

Thanks in advance!
Valerie
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Gail@PUBLISIDE on 11/12/2010 at 11:05 AM Accepted
    Phil is right -- be protected legally before the public starts to eat your product. Better safe than sorry ... and it is the law.

    After you get all of those things in place, determine what makes your product/business different than others and start your marketing thoughts there.
  • Posted by michael on 11/12/2010 at 11:16 AM Accepted
    Valerie,
    When you say "start" does that mean you haven't done anything yet? Or, does it mean you're selling your cupcakes at school fairs & farmer's markets?

    Beyond all the legal & health dept related issues, do you have your own special mix or are you just really great with frosting creations?

    Michael
  • Posted on 11/12/2010 at 1:43 PM Accepted
    It is not a legal requirement to be incorporated. It may be prudent. Discuss with your accountant, your attorney, and your insurance agent. There are many in the food service industry who run their business as a sole proprietorship. The tax rules and annual costs vary by state and that is why the CPA / accountant should be part of the discussion.

    W.M.M.A. is right on. I have seen small start ups get share space in commercial kitchens. Caterers and non-profits often have commercial kitchen space and will rent the time to a local non-competitor.
  • Posted on 11/12/2010 at 2:17 PM Author
    Thanks. We haven't done anything yet other than a little research. I've checked our state website for available business names but have not gotten the license. I didn't think of insurance! Very important!

    I'm definitely going to check on our county and state regulations regarding baking from our kitchen. I know of a few other locals here doing it, and I'm sure they aren't licensed or insured.

    I would eventually like to grow our business so I'm going to advise my sister that we need to do this right from the get-go.
  • Posted by CarolBlaha on 11/13/2010 at 8:09 AM Accepted
    Insurance for start ups is a pain. Don't get discouraged.

    But now that we got the legal stuff out of the way-- to go to your original question.

    Realtors, sales reps in all fields are giving cookies to their clients every day. And with so few traditional bakeries left-- they're getting that stuff from the local grocer. And that is borrrrrinnnnggg! They would be very open to something new and creative.

    Realtors have sales meetings once a week and allow people to speak about their services in a 10 minute slot (that varies of course) get in there and create a "welcome home" package that they can give their buyers.

    Pay attention to packaging. When I give goodies I want the wow factor from my clients. I am not delivering pastries with the Krispy Kreme name on them-- I'm promoting me not them. I would repackage them in a box I could personalize (simple computer generated label, and add colored paper and some bright wrapped candy.

    I never got around to it, but I also researched personalized bakery boxes vs the labels. Keep it in mind and research it. Offer to buy those for your clients and of course make that also a profit center for you.

    Good Luck!

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