Not Licenced, Would Like To Do A Bridal Show?&business C
Business By runmamarun Updated 1 Oct 2007 , 7:24am by KoryAK
Do i dare do a bridal show without being licenced, i would really like to start to make more wedding cakes, but i need to get my name out there, and i'm unsure what is the best way to do this.
Also is illegal to have a business card to hand out to friends and family??
I just don't know what to do, it's hard to get started in the business, without having alot of experience, but i figure you need to start somewhere.
Yes it is illegal to hand out business cards and not be licensed. You can hand out calling cards. The calling cards can not list a business name, hours etc only your name and phone number.
As for doing a bridal show... I would say a big fat no. Many events will make you show a business license, health department license, and proof of liability insurance. With out any of those you will not be allowed to participate. Health inspectors are known to frequent bridal shows and check for your HD license or will take a business card and check you out back at the office.
Also Bridal Show vendors are a bit territorial from what I've seen. If any other Cake Decorators ae there and finds out you are not licensed I can assure you they would not think twice about turning you in to the Health Department. I've heard of hobbyists getting caught via Bridal Shows and fined from $200 to almost $6,000.
Thanks for the info, i think i'll stay away from the bridal show, i don't need to get myself in trouble, and i wondered about other cake business seeing me and then turning me in, NO THANK-YOU!!!!
Thanks for telling me about the business cards, i will for sure make a point to call them my calling cards!!!!!
It's all dependent upon the state, but I have to agree with the PP, best to stay far far away just because you don't want to deal with someone turning you in. Granted, everyone needs to start off somewhere, but some places are incredibly strict if you do get turned in, others, not so much. I guess I don't consider it worth the gamble.
I think it really depends on your state.
There are some states that it is ok to hand out business cards, do bridal shows and sell cakes without being licensed. And there are some people on here who are doing regular business without a license.
I think you should weigh all your options and review your local laws.
I wouldn't bet any money on it but I'm fairly sure that doing cakes without a license is illegal in every state. Licensing requirements are different in each state but I can't figure any of them approving it without some sort of health inspection and license. Not in this day and age.
I agree with everyone else. You are just asking for trouble by setting up at a bridal show. That would be a case where licensed vendors would get pretty peeved at an unlicensed baker. They pay a lot of money to be legal and have every right to get peeved.
JMO--Diane
My "real" kitchen was in the works at the time I did my first bridal fair. I called the health department and they said that as long as I wasn't doing TOO much business (nice clear line there :S) and wasn't using perishable ingredients like meringue and mousse then I was ok to be unlicensed. The rules for all of the local fairs state that you have to have your food permit on hand to show the coordinators... but I have never had them mention that or the fire extinguisher I'm supposed to tote around. Anyway, I did that first fair, made sure I didn't use mousse filling and no one looked at me twice.
You may ruffle the other vendors if you let on that you are unlicensed, but if you don't say anything how will they know? Just go in there and OWN IT!
I've thought about this too - but here's where I have trouble. You might get plenty of business from the bridal show, but some banquet halls/hotels/reception sites will require you to show your license and/or insurance in order for them to serve your cake.
Imagine a scenario where you make the most gorgeous cake ever, the bride pays $$ for it, but the reception site refuses to serve it. What a nightmare!
I wouldn't bet any money on it but I'm fairly sure that doing cakes without a license is illegal in every state. Licensing requirements are different in each state but I can't figure any of them approving it without some sort of health inspection and license. Not in this day and age.
actually Ohio is one of the states that will allow you to legally sell cakes with out a license. we have cottage laws here, you don't have to be inspected and you ARE allowed to have pets in your home. you just have to follow a few of their rules (you can't sell anything that needs refrigeration and you have to label everything). i don't know if there are any other "cottage law" states though. and of course individual cities and townships may have their own requirements, even more strict than the states.
to the OP, i would def not do a bridal show or anything like that unless you are legal. the cost of being caught is just not worth it to me! especially the cost of being sued and not even following state rules of being a legal business!
besides, bridal shows are so expensive i don't know if i'll ever do one, and im legal! there are much more cost effective ways of advertising than a 1-2 day bash where brides are bombarded with info and prolly won't remember you, but you paid $500-1000 to be there.
beccakelly - I LOVE doing bridal shows!! Most of the ones in my area are $200 or less, only the big one of the year is $475 for a corner booth. My goal at the fairs (besides get my name out all over) is to get names of people that want tastings and then I call them in the next couple of days to schedule. I have booked at least one cake directly off of every fair I have done, and usually more like 5-10. And at an average of $720 a pop, its not a bad return on my investment 
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%