So, you are a hobby baker who would like to start a business using your skills?
Read on… I can show you how.
Firstly, you do need to consider the time that it will involve, especially to begin with. The setting up process is fairly straight forward, but to get known by potential customers needs a bit of hard work and persistence… so if you are prepared to spend time getting yourself known, then the world will be your oyster.
Don’t worry if you feel you haven’t got all the skills you need yet… if you are persistent and willing, you can learn anything you need to as you go along.
I started my baking business wanting to make wedding cakes, but had never made one and so had to spend time learning and practising my skills. And within a few years wedding cakes were virtually all I did.
It’s also helpful to have an idea of where you’d like to take your business in the long term. Is the ultimate goal a café or a studio? Or do you want to be able to pick and choose your bookings, choosing your working hours at home? Or perhaps you’d like to create a postal subscription box business? Or like me, work exclusively in the wedding cake industry? Having a long term aim does help to focus the mind when it comes to short term strategy.
Ok, so you have an idea where you’d like to take the business that you’re setting up.
Now the technicals of how to actually do it.
1. You need to register with your local council. Your local EHO (Environmental Health Officer) will then contact you if they want to inspect your premises.
2. Get your food hygiene level 2 certificate, and also complete the FSA (Food Standards Agency) course on allergen awareness. It’s vital if you are handling foods to know about the allergens your food contains.
3. Download the Safer Food Better Business document from the FSA. This will be what your inspection will be based on, and shows you how to make yoru food preparation safe.
4. Get insured – your home insurancers will need to know you are running a bsuiness, and you will also need product and public liability for your business too.
I’m going to cheat a little bit here…as I have a guide that walks you through the rest of what you need to do, starting with asking your mortgage provider or landlord for permission to run a business… through to what to do about finances and tax.
If you’d like a copy of this free mini guide: CLICK HERE and I’ll email it to you!
Annie ran her baking business, Leading Lady Cakes, for over 10 years, following a career in primary teaching. She is now combining her teaching experience and her passion for baking to teach and support others who wish to set up for themselves.
Find out more about The Home Baking Business Academy here:
