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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To start a business selling my amazing homemade fudge?

76 replies

livinglavidavillanelle · 17/08/2019 20:11

Currently musing ways to make some extra ££££'s.

My fudge is bloody fabulous if I do say so myself. I give it to friends and family who always want more.

That said, I'm not certain of the health and safety apect of this, I'm sure it's complicated (and rightly so), AIBU to think it's something that's worth persuing? I'd be looking to sell it online or at craft fairs etc.

OP posts:
DontCallMeShitley · 19/08/2019 00:14

A bit late to answer your question, but smooth (and buttery). I always think it went wrong if it is grainy, but if it really goes wrong (not caramel type wrong) you can send it to me.

TiredOldTable · 19/08/2019 00:20

public liability insurance

Mrstwiddle · 19/08/2019 00:25

Another vote for more grainy than smooth. I loovvve tablet, fudge can take or leave.

Redshoesandtheblues · 19/08/2019 00:41

Late here too... but if i can get a good tablet! Grin

A fudge has to be extra special.

Am happy to try! BUT I'm not easy on fudge or tablet.

SamBeckett · 19/08/2019 01:03

Smooth here, I know some people like it with fruit , nuts , flavours but i think that detracts from the pure fudgeyness

cardamoncoffee · 19/08/2019 05:09

If you live in around wealthy towns where there are upmarket markets and fayres it could be a business. Our local artisan market has a fudge stall, it looks amazing! They do lots of different flavours and it looks very professional. You get to pick 3 flavours for £10 type of thing and they pack it in a box.

OP have a look in your locality and see if there is already a fudge seller and what the prices are like. In honesty I don't think it would ever make £££££ unless you go industrial.

Beautiful3 · 19/08/2019 05:31

There is a lady in our area she makes good quality brownies and shortbread. They are expensive but worth it. She sells a box of 4 for £5. She bakes batches which are only available Friday to Sunday to collect from her house. She takes photos of them and announces limited availability on a local face book page. People go crazy for them and there is always a post by sunday to say, sorry all gone.

HennyPennyHorror · 19/08/2019 05:41

If you need advice about your social media/website, I don't mind giving you a few pointers.

Redshoesandtheblues · 19/08/2019 05:48

Tablet is sublime.

Wish ìd been allowed in kitchen!

NoCauseRebel · 19/08/2019 06:03

There is very little money to be made in the food industry. Over 70% of food related business in fact a cease trading within a year of being set up.

If you’re using butter, condensed milk and sugar that will cost you almost a fiver for a single batch which would likely only make about twelve decent sized pieces. Then you have to consider packaging, insurance, health and hygiene, and the cost of actually paying for a table at the farmer’s markets. And that’s before the amount of time you’ll have to invest.

It’s a potential little sideline which might make you a few quid a month. But it will never make you ££££

WereYouHareWhenIWasFox · 19/08/2019 06:13

I can’t see any money in this. It is so piss easy to make so there isn’t the view that you are paying for something special in any way.

HennyPennyHorror · 19/08/2019 06:16

Rebel I suppose she could buy in bulk...that's what catering businesses do.

Fox It's not that easy to make actually. Mine failed multiple times. Also people DO buy it if it's well packaged. And OP could sell it through other outlets.

Fancy food shops, craft shops, gift shops and tourist places in addition to a market stall at a Farmer's market.

cardamoncoffee · 19/08/2019 06:24

It is so piss easy to make so there isn’t the view that you are paying for something special in any way

The stall that sells it in our market makes it look very special. Lots of different flavours that are uniformly swirled into the fudge, it is so good it looks like a machine has done it. I've made fudge before and it was very nice but I doubt I could be bothered to pull that off.

LiveInAHidingPlace · 19/08/2019 06:27

Fudge is definitely not easy to make, mine is always shite.

Don't listen to the naysayers OP. Do your research, figure out costs, hygiene etc and see what happens. Start small and put any profits back into the business for starters.

I run a small business and plenty of people said it was pointless, not worth my while, too expensive etc but after six months, I was breaking even and in a year, I could give up my job. There will always be those who say it's not possible but usually those people have no idea about business.

There's no guarantee of success but no guarantee of failure either.

Sniv · 19/08/2019 06:52

I also recommend Safer Food, Better Business for food safety management and record keeping. All the resources are free, straightforward and designed by the Food Standards Agency.

Also don't forget the allergen regs. Its not complicated, but needs to be factored into your labelling from the start, and you must work to keep it accurate.

FiveLittlePigs · 19/08/2019 07:19

One of my friends has a fudge business and has also worked to create a vegan range - their dairy-free coconut fudge is sublime.

He sells at fairs and village shows, tourist events and also online. As well as doing demos for WI and similar groups where he sells his full range after making and giving out sampleS.

TSSDNCOP · 19/08/2019 07:22

How will you box/wrap it? Opportunity to start a business with no plastic. I’d buy the fudge purely on that over another wrapped in celo twists with plastic ribbon.

ByeByeMissAmericanPie · 19/08/2019 07:22

Check out Mummy Makes Fudge. I think she started at her kitchen table.

Over600Ecalypts · 19/08/2019 07:27

Check out the fairs, farmer's markets and other places that you hope to sell your fudge at . See what sort of vibe they have, a feel for footfall and prices. Who else in your area makes it? Anyone?

Luckybe40 · 19/08/2019 07:31

OP, Your statement that even though the ingredients are expensive it makes so much it’s bound to make money shows your lack of awareness in this Industry! I run a small artisan food business and have done for 10!years specialising in farmers markets, festivals, etc. Expect to make 10-20p in every pound you make. Your COGS( if you don’t know what that is you need to take a business course) should be running at 30%. Bear in mind that a farmers market has a fee (£30-60 ) where I am. You CAN make money but don’t expect to make a lot especially in certain months like Jan & August. Focus on a good name and a strong logo. Pleas don’t call it grammas fudge or something knaff like that! Good packaging will make a huge difference ( stay clear of bags with ribbons, too old school) check out pintest. Good luck!

diet4eva · 19/08/2019 07:34

I have my own small craft business that I run as a hobby and generally make enough to cover costs plus 50% profit. Look around your local area for schools that may have Christmas markets run by the PTA. Often they let you have a stall for a small fee or a % of profit alongside their own stalls. It's a good way to test out your sales patter and product with a captive market and see whether it's all that you hoped it would be.

ravenmum · 19/08/2019 07:47

Good plastic-free packaging, e.g. using paper or biodegradeable cellulose, would tempt me.

IamtheOA · 19/08/2019 08:31

Has anyone here had the fudge from the fudge shop in Windsor?

Amazing stuff ( smooth and creamy, not that grainy stuff)
😁

Dogmum94 · 19/08/2019 08:45

Hi OP, I run a bakery from home selling wedding cakes etc so slightly different to your products but rules will still be the same. You will need your kitchen inspected by the Local Council, and they will give you a hygiene rating. You will also need Public Liability insurance, especially if you are thinking of selling at craft fairs as they will usually ask to see proof. I had to change my car insurance to business use as I do a lot of deliveries and have to have cover for if anything went wrong transporting a cake (appreciate this may not apply to you if you won’t be delivering). Insurance for all your equipment is also handy in case you have anything special/expensive that were to break. You may also want to do a good hygiene course if you haven’t already

But the biggest stumbling block I came across was that many mortgage providers stipulate that you aren’t allowed to run a business from home so I had to get special permission from them to do it. Not sure if you have a mortgage or not, but even if you rent Landlords often don’t want businesses being run from their properties. If you own your own home you may need to let your home insurance provider aware of what you are doing. Also don’t forget all other costs as well as ingredients, such as electricity, water, cost of equipment, time, insurance etc

Awcb · 28/12/2019 19:19

In reply to NoCauseRebel, the food industry is one of the Most Profitable businesses out there. For some reason there's a lot of negatives here. Firstly, I've been 'in food' "most of my life, and when I jump out for another business, I always sell that business as nd start another food business. Why? Because food sells! Granted its hard work, but its a great business model. My advice is to be good, be better, be different but don't be cheap! Quality and a good pitched price will win. Don't consider not giving it a try as if will eat at you rather than the other way around. Do not look back in life with any ''maybe's''. Try it. Give it everything. Get some money behind you. If if looks like it's not going to work then you've learnt a lesson you can pass on your experences and you can say.... I got the chance to dance, so I danced! X