Handing Out Biz Cards Issue. What To Do?
Business By oceanspitfire Updated 20 Jun 2007 , 7:21pm by jessi01
Ok so the eventuality that I get registered and the kitchen next door to me inspected for commercial use was supposed to come gradually or eventually lol. A few factors causing me to take my time getting the business started, most importantly not feeling quality is remotely up to par yet. However that will come with more practice.
The issue is that I got sprung on me the opportunity last week to do the big year-end Scouts cake for next week (this week, Tuesday-was very short notice) the group my nephew goes to. They liked the design I showed them and so this is what I'm working on. The deal was that normally they get the grocery store to throw in a freebie because they buy the picnic food there. And so I get to do it at cost of ingredients in exchange I get to hang out there and have my business cards on the table. Problem? I'm not registered yet, my business cards are on the computer- will have to print up some tomorrow.
My question or issue is how to handle the situation should someone actually be interested at the party? I havent even registered the business name yet. It's all set up and ready to go, the kitchen just has to be inspected- I dont have my website launched yet. Anyone have a similar situation? I dont want to put out 100 business cards (well it wont be that many anyway lol) that have no info on them but also dont want to put on the 'eventual' info because it's not ready yet. How do you deal with that? I only wanted to promote myself once I was registered and legal 
( And I will be. I dont really want to let the cat out of the bag that I'm not. But then again. What to say, and what to put on my business cards in the interim until I get launched ( I have all my cake photos on my email webpage but that URL is going to change once I'm registered. UGHHHH
Why is all this happening so fast 
Any feedback from similar experiences would be MUCHLY appreciated! Thanks
I'm really hoping someone with experience will reply to your post, because I've had a similar experience. I was hoping to take things slow, work out of my home kitchen for a little while to raise some money towards a basement kitchen which will be inspected and licenced. I then got an order and the lady has been hassling me for business cards etc. I don't know what to do either...
OK - so I have no experience with cake biz... yet - but I can tell you in my experience with my last business venture, that (at least per the state of PA) you may NOT advertise a business name without being registered as - at very least a D.B.A.
As far as a cake-specific answer - I think it may be a better idea for you to do a "calling card"; Your name, telephone number, and email address. This way - you are not advertising for anything you are not legal for... I mean can 'they' get ya for giving out your own name and telephone number...can they?
OK I can relate to EXACTLY what you are doing. All of mine is set up and ready to go except the final codes inspection and business license. I am waiting 7 more weeks till I can quit my job. It is agony to not let the word out, I can hardly contain myself. BUT, just keep in mind that the cost of getting caught would be a major set back.
Here is what I'm doing. I'm letting various people know that the business will be opening soon. I've given out some freebee's to let them see how good it is and I am trying to get some orders booked for that month.
It is not worth the risk of something going wrong if you do get caught. (and people do) so just be patient and practice, practice, practice.
korkyo
I think you have to be careful. There will be people there you don't know, right? You never know who might be there--health inspector's spouse, difficult person who might get you in to trouble. Go, serve the cake, make it clear it's your creation, and be very personable. If anyone seems interested tell them--you donated the cake to the Scout Troop, you're not legal YET, but you are going in to business very soon, and you're still practicing. If they're still interested, have some index cards handy on which you hand write your name and phone number.
I'm not quite to the stage you are, but I also wonder how to make the transition from beginner to business and do it legally.
Good luck. I hope you get some responses from people who have gone through this.
I vote for the calling card idea. 
No promises and if some one is interested they can get the facts by contacting you personally. You can explain the situation and direct them to your website.
mommachris
....You never know who might be there--health inspector's spouse,....
I tell this story to every one of my staff to illustrate why it's important to always follow the rules (hair pulled back, plastic gloves) ALL THE TIME because you never know who may be a guest at a wedding.
When I took the Food Safety Course, the instructor tells the story of how he stopped for lunch at a fast food place, back in the day when he was an inspector for the HD. While standing in line, he saw a young lady empty the trash can, carry the bag out bag to the dumpster, the back door was left open and he saw her open the dumpster lid and put the trash bag in it. She came back in, wiped her hands on her apron, walks to the counter and says to this guy, "Can I help you?" He said, "Yes. You can get me your manager."
You never know who may be in line or in attendance.
You absolutely should set up a DBA (Doing Business As, it is also called a sole prop.) as soon as possible. All you need to do in most cases is log on to your sec. of state's website and fill out a form that takes like 5 minutes. If you do it online and pay with a credit card (in colorado, it's only $30), your name is registered instantly, and you can use it right away. Also, if you are going to have a business name, make sure you find a bank that you can set up an account for with this name.
So, I have not yet made a cake for someone that I did not know. However, I have made a website. I was told that if someone requested a cake by me, that I could make that cake in a professional kitchen (use my church or fire department). Is that legal? I have made business cards as well, but have not handed any out.
So what i am getting from all this is that i can give out a card with my name and phone number but just not with a busniess name on it. can it have a picture of cake on it.
like example can i have a card that can say this:
Shaddi
(123) 456-7890
Cakes is what i do best
and i won't get in trouble. i was putting cake in their so they can remember that i do cakes. incase they ask for a car and then when they get home they won't forget who i was. cause i was thinking if it just had my name and number and nothing else then they will forget who i was or were they got the card from. would i still be safe with that cause i am in the middle of haveing my home inspected. i should be ready to go all out in a mth. but i have a big party this weekend that is for 60-70 people and they are going to ask for my cards cause i know alot of this people. and friend of friends.
shaddi
I think business-size cards (back in Victorian times, they were known as "calling cards") with your name and telephone number on them is what you need. Slip a photo of a cake on it (better yet, the cake you are donating, if you have the time and ability) and then people who ask for your card will know your name and have a small photo of your cake for reference right along with it.
Debi is right --- you just never know who's going to be there, so if people ask for a business card, you can tell them, "this was just my donation to the picnic/party, but I do happen to have a picture of it you can keep. My name and telephone number are on there, but understand that I am only in a position to donate at this time, not sell. I am starting a business and all my final inspections should be completed soon, so if you call that number after I am set up, I will be more than happy to sell you whatever cake you need."
I think this would cover you.
And for those who are wondering, I don't carry pictures of my kids or my grandson any more, I carry pictures of my cakes! They're my "creative babies"! (Grandson's pics are in the cell phone, though).
HTH,
Odessa
.....(Doing Business As, it is also called a sole prop.) ...
But just to clarify, a DBA is not exclusively a sole proprietorship.
My parent company is Brim Mgmt, LLC, dba Cater It Simple or dba Banna's Cookies. All legalese is run thru the parent company name, but I had the attorney set it up so I could set up different companies for different ventures (a couple of other things in the works that will need a separate company name).
I have personal cards I use anyways when I meet a new parent at the school and I don't have to look for a scrap of paper, anyways it is cake themed and has a quote"birthday's are nature's way of telling us to eat more cake" instead of a business, I listed my self as a Mom, no business information, my phones numders, email and website. That should not get me in trouble
Ok this kinda has me scared, I just made up buisness cards and Have only sold a few cakes and truffles, I work out of my home kitchen, but I never registered anything or have had anything inpected. what should i do next? and will it be very costly??
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