I run a custom bakery and dessert catering business in Philadelphia. I would like to take it to the next level, with the goal of opening a storefront in the next 2 years (trying to do so with minimal loans) so I would like to build my customer base. I currently make desserts for a couple of local restaurants but only occasionally do custom work. I work a couple of local festivals as well.

My goal is to get into more restaurants and to get into putting packaged product into the local specialty food shops.

Some questions I have are about getting into the shops and packaging.

I know my product is delicious, and my pricing is good, I think I just need to be more aggressive with marketing.

Anybody who runs a business anywhere, mentoring would be appreciated!

Even if it is just to talk through my plans and have somebody who has been there to lend an ear!

ATry contacting your local SCORE chapter: http://www.score.org/

I have spoken to SCORE and to the local small business  , as well as the local women's sba. All would be super helpful if I wanted to take out loans, or open a shopfront now. However, none are really good at networking me with other businesses that do what i would like to do or with business that could possibly carry my product. Nor do they have any knowledge of food packaging, etc. 

They really only offer help with financing and business plan writing. I know what i want to do, i just need help on moving forward.

AEricapraga, you can go online and type in dessert packaging and find a host of supplies. You can also get nutrition labels made for your products just type in nutrition labels.

ATo get into shops, have a taste sampling and invite them tocome. Charge a small cover charge.

AI need help with pricing. Can anyone help.

A

No, sorry. You'll have to do your own homework and do the costing out yourself.

A

Thank you! I was just browsing threads and I think a link to this very useful blog post should be a Sticky.