Help to set up a business please!

[zombiepara]

Hello!

I am hoping someone on Mumsnet will be able to help me out!

I'll just preface this by saying it is all very very early days.. so I realise I need to do a lot more research, hut there's no one in RL that I know who I can ask advice from, and I'm looking for people's experiences as well as requirements.

I am looking to hopefully set up a baking business from home, something I can do on my days off as an alternative to shifts and hopefully to get a business bedded in so I can have the option to go part time as and when we have a baby.

So i know I need to register with the local authority, and can be inspected... and need a fly/insect preventing net as the kitchen opens to the outside world.

Other than that, I'm a bit stuck!
I've looked at the .gov websites and followed click through links, but there doesn't seem to be a clear list of requirements. I'll admit that I have been looking in and amongst shifts - I have no doubt I need to spend a consolidated period of time looking rather than snatches here and there.

Obviously, accountability regarding ingredients, nutritional info, correct storage etc is all vital..

I am in the very initial stages of it all at the moment - trying out flavours, pricing bits all up, and checking viability to begin with..

Any help is seriously appreciated! Thank you

Social media is absolutely VITAL. If you're not experienced, then I recommend you visit Moz.com and read some of their courses and guides.

moz.com/

@FortunesFave thank you for that - I used to work in marketing, but things were changing so much year to year when I was "in the game", I dread to think how much it has all changed since i left!

I'll certainly be visiting/reading that link!

You will need food safety training and certification.

I would also think realistically about the future. If you decide you want to do it part-time after having a child, you will still need childcare. It's not the sort of thing you can do, while maintaining safe food practices, with a toddler running around (also wfh with children around is an absolute nightmare anyway).

And yes, to social media marketing. It's really key. You should also think about local events (when those local events happen again). Going to local food festivals and such really gets your name out there.

It's a really overcrowded market. You need something very discuss to stand out from many many already established businesses.

Do you know what your target market is?

@newphoneswhodis

It's a really overcrowded market. You need something very discuss to stand out from many many already established businesses.

This.

You need to either concentrate on exceptional quality which is head and shoulders above everyone else, or to corner a hitherto untapped niche in the market.

Okay, so market wise, looking specifically into vegan baking, concentrating mostly on the non-cake type of baking. Looking online, I can't see massive numbers of other business out there that do this, and those that do dont have a massive range of flavours or options.

Very good points made re: childcare and the certification - I'd have to think those bits through a bit more.. 🤔

Honestly? It's a really over subscribed industry! You're saying you would do something more niche - but that means fewer potential customers too.

Plus celebration cakes/treats aren't something people buy every week, tends to be once or twice a year for milestone occasions.

Once you've accounted for all the training, equipment, certification etc you need plus ingredients, pay for your time I think you'll find you'd need to charge so much per order that you'll be hard pushed to find customers willing to pay that for something they perceive as a hobby business.

I have 3 friends that do this full time, 2 are gifted amateurs and 1 is a professional and about to open a 2nd shop.

They are ALL struggling to get enough business at the moment as this is very much a luxury spend and with the huge economic uncertainty due to Coronavirus they are very worried about maintaining their businesses and they've been going for years and have strong customer bases, have already built a reputation etc.

You need to be absolutely spot on with decoration side to even be in with a chance of making money in this business.

My friend that's a professional has won awards for decorating, sugar craft etc and as I say she's genuinely concerned she can still go ahead with the opening of a 2nd shop (plans already in place, contracts etc prior to Coronavirus).

Have you even done any market research in your potential delivery locale to see if the demand is genuinely there?

What do you mean non-cakes?

@newphoneswhodis more along the lines of cookies, shortbread..that end of the baking spectrum.

@Graphista I really appreciate the honesty. Prior to this, in my old job, I was looking at artwork on the side (big difference I know) and totally get the angle of it only being a special occasion thing which is why I ended up veering away from that..
In terms of local research, there definitely is a call for it - there's only one shop on the high-street in town that specifically caters for it, a family run business that sounded interested in selling them on for me.

Like I said... it is very early days and a lot more research is needed..

In terms of local research, there definitely is a call for it - there's only one shop on the high-street in town that specifically caters for it

A lack of businesses of this type is not an indication of there being a gap in the market - that comes from proper market research into POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS

Maybe there aren't businesses that cater to this because there is no demand! Or not enough to provide a profit.

Most small business bakers already are willing to cater to special dietary requirements where specified.

My friends certainly do, they mainly do "normal" baking as that's what there is most demand for but they are perfectly capable of meeting requirements for vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, even allergies (they'll deep clean their kitchen and get the appropriate ingredients and may even use it as an opportunity to get new tins which they'll use new for such customers then use after for "normal" customers)

The reason niche markets aren't catered for by niche businesses is because there's rarely any profit in it.

Hell my friend that's the professional baker even does kosher catering, she prepares her kitchen accordingly and regularly caters things like bar mitzvah's

But if she ONLY catered to the clients with special requirements she wouldn't make a profit

The issue with online is that you don't have to be local so any market analysis has to consider that. I've just ordered a birthday cake to London for DD2. It was made in Norfolk by a company recommended by a MNetter.

Duly noted guys, back to the drawing board 👍🏻

There are a few businesses on fb mum groups who do afternoon tea sets - these seem super popular where I live. Scones, cake and sandwiches - there are a couple options with flavours.

Maybe you could look at something like this?