How to Start a Successful Cookie Business 1-2-3
Besides being a billion-dollar market, the cookie business can be ideal for stay-at-home parents or
someone looking to start a low-cost business to start part-time. That said, there are some thing you want to
consider before launching your start-up.
Before you start a cookie business, make sure you have a desirable product that will be able to compete with
both the giant cookie companies and the people who just like to bake their cookies at home.
Pick a specific niche market rather than trying to appeal to everyone. What makes your product different?
Better? If you can stand out from your competition, you can do well in the cookie business.
The permits and licenses you'll need will depend on where your business operates and what type of
food products you are selling. Each state has its own requirements. Your kitchen will be required to pass an
inspection by the Board of Health. Upon approval, they will license you. You may also be required to maintain a
standard recipe for product labeling purposes.
You can find out how to select a niche and make your cookies or baked goods stand out (before you start a
cookie business) by using the guides and resources below.
How to Start a Home-Based Baking Business
Quincella Geiger has operated her own baking business from home for 20 years. What started as
a hobby turned into a serious income-producing full-time baking business, also including gourmet gifts.
Quincella has put together a very user-friendly guide that begins with start-up process. She also includes
helpful resources for finding equipment and supplies and a simple and easy to follow business plan (can it get
any easier?).
Understanding that many people share the same love of baking - yet may need advice when it comes to
business, she provides really helpful information to entrepreneurs.
rated by entrepreneurs
Some that I especially like include affordable alternatives to baking at home, tips on choosing a baking
specialty like cookies, price-setting strategies, how to increase revenue by creating gourmet gifts and
creative marketing and advertising ideas.
- You'll find out how to get get your business license and heath permit
- How to save money buying equipment and preparing your work space
- Where to get the equipment and supplies you need, how to handle shipping and other important
answers
- 12+ ways to find clients and 4 large groups who can buy (lots of) baked goods
How to Start a Home-Based Baking Business
Other Cooking-Related Business Plans (Downloadable):
Writing your own business plan can get complicated and overwhelming - and hiring a business plan writer can
get expensive. The third alternative is to use business plan templates or view plans written by existing (and
successful) businesses - it's a great time saver, and no doubt you'll save some money and come out with a solid
business plan.
Cookie Business Resources:
Many people overlook the money-saving benefits of Microsoft Office software or Office Professional. With this software
(which you may already have), you can complete many tasks yourself without having to pay someone else,
like:
- Track projects and events on a business calendar (which you can print out) so you don't
miss important deadlines
- Create professional-quality marketing materials (like brochures, newsletters and business cards)
without having to pay a designer
- Design company presentations for clients that help you make more sales,
- Manage customer databases and track inventory so you can run your company at top
efficiency
- And put together contracts, proposals, flyers, budgets, invoices, receipts and all sorts of documents
quickly with 100's of business form templates.
Marketing Your Cookie Business
Local Search
- More and more people are looking for local businesses online (instead of the traditional yellow pages) - find
these customers using local search engines and directories for little cost. Local Search sources that are
affordable and receive substantial traffic include: Google Local, Yelp and Super Pages.
Want people to find your website in the search engines? Get listed in 20 search engines for free or in
300 search engines for $4.
You can also set up your own personalized online shop within a community of "food artisans" and gain instant
exposure to your ideal customers through Foodzie.com. They make the selling process easy for food producers, and it's a great way
to connect with customers looking specifically for unique food items.
29 Ways to Get People
to Buy Your Cookies
An easy way to meet potential clients and
get referrals for free without having to give a sales pitch is to get involved in your community. Join
professional groups and industry organizations to network with others. Participate and plan events
involving people in your local neighborhood.
The more active you are, the more word will get around about who you are and what you do. You'd be surprised
that how the friendships you make can turn into business opportunities - simply because people like you.
Take the guesswork out of finding customers by picking up the best marketing guide I've found. You'll find
out free and extremely low cost ways to attract new clients to your business with very little effort -
saving you tons of money.
Marketing Expert David Frey shows you how to implement these strategies right away, for immediate
profit. Find out how >> The Ultimate Small Business
Marketing Resource
Business Cards that Make Advertising
Easy
Give them to people in your neighborhood, network with people you know, leave them with stores, offices and
other places that busy professionals tend to hang out. With over 300 professional business card designs
and easy-to-use templates, Free
Business Cards
Cooking Business Associations
- American Bakers Association
The leading trade association for the baking industry.
- American Society of Baking
The American Society of Baking is a professional organization that brings together individuals in the
grain-based food industry for personal development, recognition, education and leadership.
- Culinary Business Academy
The Culinary Business Academy is an educational institution dedicated exclusively to the science of
successful business in culinary endeavors.
