AI am becoming a little annoyed at how many different bakers that are still doing vendor shows when the state we live in do not have a cottage food law. I dont know why it bothers me but it does which is probably because I wanted to start my own home baking business. I decided to take the time and work on my craft until the law is passed... hopefully this year. These other bakers I guess dont care, but If I did it, I would be the one to get in trouble... lol. Vent over

AIf you know they are operating illegally tell the relevant authorities.

in the meantime working for someone else is a great way to go--when you go home you're home--work doesn't trail along everywhere you turn--you learn a lot and you make very nice money while someone else gets the headaches--

working for a grocery store gives you pretty nice benefits (used to anyway) --working for a private bakery/caterer/venue is super awesome really--however you cannot be ego driven--and nothing wrong with ego driven but to work for someone else you must be a flexible team player willing to do it their way--so that's a way to 'work on the craft' or another way to go altogether--

i know folks who have gotten the c&d letters and had to scramble to survive and so you're right not being legal is just no way to set up a business-- doing it right is worth the wait--

AI guess I could do that [@]jason_kraft[/@].... I guess I feel like in some way it will catch up with them. [@]-K8memphis[/@] I am already looking into getting something part time at a bakery... I dont need the money but I really would love the experience. I figured I would save up my pay for when I am able to start up my business legally in my state, lol. It really shouldnt matter what other people are doing... I guess it just bothers me more when I see them advertising it... lol

Here's what I wish someone had told me before the law went into effect in my state:

When the cottage food law hits, if entry into the cake business is easy, the market will become flooded with new competition - within as little as six months.

It probably doesn't seem like it now, but, like you, there are a whole lot of people who won't operate illegally. There are significantly fewer who are willing to operate illegally because those who do mostly fall into one of these categories:

1) Too stupid to fully comprehend the risk

2) Incredibly reckless

3) Have a desperate need

How much you need this money affects your willingness to break the law and take on the risk. When the law hits, all those people without any desperate need come out of the woodwork and it turns out that if you don't actually need to charge appropriately, then working up the courage to do so is uncommon.

Now while each person may only do a cake or two a week, cumulatively they have huge effect on cake prices.

I'm not saying don't do it, but knowledge is power. You have to figure out how you're going to compete against people who will do very nice work for one third to half the price.

AThank you for that insight [@]howsweet[/@]... im actuallly doing the research on the other bakers that I know of in my area as well as bakeries so I can find my niche when the time comes and I can open my business...I know it is alot of competition, so I wont be going into it blindly.

you can take the help of relevant authority for this matter,

cloud storage

AI actually just sent her an email at the pink cake box asking if they were looking for an apprentice. It might be a stretch but I figured I would put myself out there, lol. I dont know about her prices though.

AI also am waiting for a law to be put into effect in my city. There is a cottage food law in place for the outlying county, but not within the city limits. I am wondering of anyone knows if the same law would apply if you are selling something that is not a baked good, such as candy, chocolate, or choc covered Oreos.

A

Generally the health dept is involved whenever you handle food directly for sale, it's not just limited to baked goods.

AYes, that makes sense. Thanks Jason!