I really would like to start a Cookie Bouquet business. The only other cookie bouquet business listed in the yellow pages in our city is the big franchise. A home based is out of the question, but I feel like the market is there. Right now I am only selling by word of mouth and I have had a good number of orders and have even had to turn down a few because of short notice. I believe with advertising I could actually make a go of it. I would also like to sell cookie cutters and supplies for the home-baker. I teach school right now, but my daughter has expressed interest in becoming my partner. I've been researching and most of you seem to think that cookies are just too time consuming. Is there anyone who has a small little shop that sounds similar to my vision?
I'm on the brink of going retail with my cookie here where I live but it's sooooooooo much work........You have to bake in a commercial kitchen that is licensed and inspected by the health dept......Then most of the time you have to take a food handling class - Then there is the nutrional label stuff.....You have to have an insurance policy - liability in case you make someone sick...ha,ha......For me, I have to deal with packaging, displays, etc......When working with food, yeah - lots of work..........But dreams can come true......Stick with your vision!
tc4cake,
Good Luck with your dream!
I think for now I'm just going turn a room in my basement into a home based kitchen to get the feel for owning a business. I plan on building a website, attending local events, and advertising. I definitely need to be legal to do all of this. I would love to eventually open a store that would also sell cookie supplies, give classes, and maybe have cookie decorating birthday parties for children.
Although I haven't done too many cookies, I have been selling some of my cakes and I WANT to start up a side business. I am actually thinking about buying my first home (instead of paying the same amount of $$/month to rent an apartment OR renting a building/storefront). THEN I can convert a room in my OWN house to a kitchen and not have anyone tell me NO (parents/boyfriends/etc.). LOL. I also want to start looking into whether I can get grants or anything to help fund it since I am a female small business owner (or will be) I know there is money out there available and I just need to find it!! Good luck with the business!!! 
My living room is converted into a "cake and candy supply store" - ha,ha....I can't afford a storefront yet but I sell over 300 items thru my website or ebay - I don't know if I'm supposed to advertise so I won't put my site in unless someone emails me - As far as baking, I know in my state there is no commercial baking/cooking allowed in the home at all - even if you convert and make your kitchen commercial. I have found a couple places to do my baking but it's kind of a pain, but if I plan on being at any events or Farmers Markets I have no choice.......Darn laws anyway.
I did a cookie baking party at the local school and they had a blast! You'll really enjoy.......
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