So being a hobby baker for a few years, I have decided to take a plunge into part time business launching around Beginning of June latest, *if hopefully I have my act together, maybe earlier*. I would want to offer cakes, cupcakes, sugar cookies, cake pops, truffles etc from home and also do a weekly Saturday Farmers Market. I already have established a good reputation with family and friends and feel confident that for a start, I should be able to secure a few orders a month in addition to selling at FM. I presently have to turn down requests due to permits and licensing at this point.

I have researched for quite a while and here is what I came up with. Please correct/guide me where needed.

I am covered under the Cottage food law (Orange County, Orlando, FL) and made sure with the Zoning as well. Here is a list of Action items I have on my list:

Register LLC (Sole proprietor)

Business License/Sellers License

State Tax ID

Liability Insurance

Business Plan (in the works, Thanks Jason-kraft)

I am thinking of getting the permits etc from LegalZoom. Still looking for Insurance.

My market is for Birthday Cakes, Occasional Celebration cakes up to three tiers and maybe a few wedding cakes per year would be perfect. I proficiently work with BC, Fondant, MMF, GP flowers, Ganache etc.. still practicing carved/3D cakes and GP figures.

Source of advertising would be word of mouth, flyers,cupcake and treats booth at Farmers Market, Website, FB and School/Community Center etc

Am I missing something? On the right track? It sounds like a good investment with all the permit and licensing.. looking at about $600-$1000 range as a start-up cost which sounds about right. (I finally saved up enough)

Thanks in Advance.

bump

It sounds to me that you have done a lot of research and are on the right track, but I would hope someone in the Florida area will chip in with their perspective and experience based on your state.

One thing that affects me as a home-based business where I live, is having the appropriate Food Safety accreditation. Where I am its called an FSS certificate (Food Safety Supervisor) but its all about being proficient on safe food handling and storage, and cleaning etc. If you haven't already, you may need to have a similar qualification or certificate. For me this is a state Food Authority jurisdiction, and has nothing to do with local counties, but I encourage you to check whether you require something similar as a food producer.

I am thinking it would be equivalent to Food Handlers Permit. I will definitely look into it.

Any tips from anyone else would be appreciated too!

Oh, I absolutely love you FB page. I am having second thoughts in starting a business now.. I cannot even dare to compare with your work

Thanks for your reply!

Oh, I'm a pretty small-time operator :-)  I have decreased my volume output to focus more on quality, custom stuff and teaching and a few other irons in the fire...Don't ever feel you need to 'compete' with anyone - just run your own race and do what you do, well!