I plan on opening up a cake decorating shop/bakery. I have 4 girls who can be utilized to decorate cakes and bake (including myself). I have 2-3 other people as staff members (to run the shop and keep it clean and organized and to handle inventory). What's the process that I need to go through to start up. \n\nI know I'll need a loan, and to pick a location. That is taken care of... what next..?
121976
It's great that you are doing someting that you love to do.\n\nYou have you staff in place , do you have an accountant, laywer, mentors and any other person you need to move you farward.\n\nDo you have a marketing plan?\n\nDo you have a system for the shop from taking out the trash to customer service and any other routines?\n\nWhat results do you want are you after in opening the store? What goals do you want to achieve?\n\nYour well on your way and I am sending blessing to your success.
281564
A friend of mine has a framing business. She has fabulous books of art works, prints and posters she orders for her clients. \n\nBeautifully crafted, sophisticated pottery is another option, as well as the (frameable) work of local artists. Instead of putting your own money into their works, contact local talented potters and artists and take their work on consignment. Use contracts and make it a business agreement. This gives them an outlet for their work and gives you merchandise without an outlay of your own cash. It also gives you an artistic 'gallery' atmosphere. \n\nDo you have enough space to rent to artists to give group art classes? These people would be future customers of yours and allow you to make the space pay.\n\nIf you use any of these ideas and it works out let me know. I would be interested to hear. Good luck with your venture!
406308
You'd need a business plan first.  If it's a school project, probably doesn't have to be quite as detailed as if you were actually starting this business, although that depends on whether you're in high school, or getting your MBA.\n\nSome things to include - \nWhere will your shop be located, and how big will it be?\nAre there any legal restrictions (licenses required, such as business license and sales tax collection license - you might find this info on your state website)\nWhat professional help will you need to set up your business (e.g. lawyer, accountant) and how much will that cost\nWhat type of entity will your business be?  sole proprietorship? LLC?  s-corp?\nWhat merchandise will you carry, where will you get it, how much will it cost to purchase, how much will you sell it for (what markup?)\nWill you have any employees or just run it yourself?  Be aware that either way, there are income tax implications, but they're a lot more complicated if you have employees.\nHow much money will you need to start your business - Rent, utilities turnon fees, purchase of initial inventory - and if your location doesn't already have them, shelves, hardware to hang things on the walls, cash register....  and where will you get the money?  Probably combination of savings, investment by relatives and friends, maybe a bank loan but that could be tough to get\nOngoing costs after startup\nWhat competition will you have?\nHow will you get customers?\nHow much do you have to sell monthly to pay your costs and make some amount of profit?  How much profit can you reasonably expect to make?  Is it seasonal?\n\nHave fun with your project - sounds like it could be interesting.
389497
OK, do you really want to nock your brothers socks off?\n\nTry following some or all of this:\n\nAnytime you want to start any kind of business, there are several basics that you will need:\n\n* You should first sit down and think about what it is you want to do and then write out the scenario in detail!  This may sound tedious, but it will help you clarify what it is you are thinking about.  Also, when you talk to anyone about the business (mentor, bank, clients, prospective investor), you will have a clear vision to share with him or her.  You can check any number of books at your local library or the Internet for ideas on creating a business plan or goals list.\n\n* Is there anyone out there doing something like what you want to do already?  Can you research what it is that they do and maybe even talk with them about what they do?\n\n* Are there businesses out there that are doing some aspect that you want to do?  In this case, you want to create an online drop shipment business.  What websites have you seen that you like (can you talk with them)?  How does the local McDonalds or other retail outlet do business that might help you in yours (i.e. how is McDonalds able to provide a product to a customer on demand at almost anytime of day – and do it with a much of high school kids)?\n\n* Never listen to anyone who says that you CANNOT do something UNLESS they have been there and tried that!!!!!  Anyone can tell you the good things that you can try or do, however, only someone who has actually tried the specific thing your are thinking can truly give you advise on the pitfalls that could await the unsuspecting.\n\n* If you want to look for a mentor (free or paid – although mentors usually offer their time at no cost), the question that you should be ready to address is WIIFM (What In It For Me {the mentor})!  What are you willing to do for your mentor to help them with something that they may need (for me it’s simple – I am looking for 10 points :-)\n\n\nContacts:\n\n* Contact your local Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce – they have business people who will help start up operations.\n\n* Contact your local high school, community college or university and find out whom the teachers are for courses related to your business (like business or computer/internet classes).  Contact these teachers to get some ideas or even to see if they will take you company startup on as a class project or special project for some of the student to work on (might give the students extra credit and you a free startup).  In the worst case, you might get the names of some good students whom you might hire to do certain aspects of what you need at a very low cost.\n\n* Contact you local, county or state governments (check their websites) – many areas have small business administrations (or some other agency that can help with various things) that have any number of references and resources available at little or no cost.\n\n* Go to your local library in the Reference Section and find the Encyclopedia of Associations.  It is a three-book set published by Gale Research.  The first book lists thousands of tiles of professional organizations and groups.  It will give a code number to use in the other two books to find out more about that organization.  Contact the organizations who have something to do with your idea and find out if they have a services to give you advise or local groups that you can network with.  In many cases, just asking for membership and publications information may give you a lot of useful stuff.\n\n\nOther outstanding sources that I have used in running my four businesses:\n\n* Nightingale-Conant – the largest producer of audio/video training programs in the world.  Many of their programs can be borrowed for free from local libraries.  http://www.nightingale.com\n\n* Entrepreneur Magazine (http://www.entrepreneurmag.com) – many great tips and ideas about running a company.\n\n* Rich Dad Poor Dad - http://
400919
The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.\n\nI recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.\n\nAssociations may be a good avenue to explore. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links. \n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\n* Starting A Flower And Gift Shop by Millicent Gray Lownes-Jackson,\n* Specialty Shop Retailing: How to Run Your Own Store Revised by Carol L. Schroeder\n* Start and Run a Profitable Retail Business by Jim Dion, Ted Topping\n* Retail Business Kit for Dummies by Rick Segel \n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
443438
I'd recommend that you don't hire a caterer at all, and here's why: it's VERY easy to dress up stuff you can get from market delis for FAR less than a caterer will charge.\n\nthis really only works if you're going to have a cold buffet, though.\n\nOr, you can have the caterer do the hot stuff only.  \n\nI recommend a buffet in any case, with two identical tables set up so the lines go faster.  Also, you want to have your beverage station separate from the food, so people will have to circulate.  \n\nOR, if your budget will accomodate this, I'd hire a couple of folks to pour at the tables - if you can only afford to hire four or five people, this is where you should spend the money.  But perhaps you have some younger relatives who can be pressed into service to do this?  It's actually a good thing for them to do, as it means that they are not stuck having their ears talked off by some distant relative they are utterly bored with.  ;)\n\nIf you can afford it, alsohire two or three people for each buffet table, or get friends & relatives to help.  You need folks there to tell your guests what is what, and to serve them (this controls the portion size, also a very important money-saving practice)\n\n\nThe first thing you need to know is that presentation is everything at a wedding, so the nicer it looks, the better people think it tastes.  Get yourself to a party goods store that has nice sturdy trays, bowls, and such, and get the prettiest ones that fit your budget (remember two of everything for the two buffet tables).  This is best done, of course, once you have an idea of what you'll need.\n\nReal glassware makes a huge difference, and if you have the gumption to do this, I recommend that you ask around in your family for stemware to use.  As long as each table has glasses that match, it doesn't matter if no two tables are alike.  Make sure that the napkins, flatware, and glassware are set up on the tables and not on the buffet tables.  Actually, the tables ought to be completely set.  Your guests can take their plates to the buffet tables - it saves room and looks nicer.\n\nOK, on to the food.\n\nIf you're going with a cold buffet, do NOT take the easy way out and get cold-cut platters.  There's very little you can do to make them appropriate for a wedding reception.  You'll be MUCH better off getting some interesting salads and then adding those special touches.\n\nCOLOR is very important to the overall presentation, so you're going to be adding nice bright things to whatever salads you order from the local deli.\n\nAlso, do NOT skimp on the bread/rolls, if you serve them.  Icky bread will take away from the enjoyment of everything., and it is a SURE FIRE sign that you're doing this "on the cheap'.  If you something like a CostCo near you, check out their rosemary rolls and things like that, and ask about speciality breads and rolls. If you want to have rolls and/or bread, this should *be on the tables*, not at the buffet; also butter...and cream and sugar and sweetener and salt and pepper should be on each table.\n\nNow that I've scared you, it's time to show you how very easy it will be to put on an impressive reception buffet.\n\nFirst, right now, visit the deli section of your local markets, visit your local independant delis, tell them that you're planning a wedding reception, and *taste everything they will let you taste*!  Ask questions!  \n\nAlso, do at least VISIT the caterers in your area and get sample menus from them.  This can inspire you!\n\n\nOk, so you've decided that you would like, and can afford, a buffet of four interesting salads, a fruit display, and one hot dish.  You'll need one vegetarian option, one poultry, one meat, and maybe one fish or seafood (or two vegetarian).  Have the hot item be vegetarin - not only can all your guests enjoy it, but it will be FAR less expensive!  I'd suggest something like a fancy st
535580
WOW!  You are taking on a monster BIG job.\n\nI did several years of carnivals or as they call them now festivals for my children's elementary school. \n\nThis is the beginning of November, you can't be talking about for this fall? Can You??  If so I would say one most likely could not be pulled together in such a short time.\n\nYou have to arrange with game suppliers to rent the games. (This requires several months in advance) Also drink wagons from Pepsi or Coke have to be scheduled way in advance.\n\nYou need to pull together committees for games, food, booths, drawings, bake sale, country store from food collections, a yard sale booth from donations.. etc.  Don't forget advance advertising and publicity.\n\nI don't think I can give you an answer long enough to cover all that has to be done.\n\nIf you started now you could be ready for a spring Festival.  But maybe I'm thinking bigger than your wanting to plan.  I certainly wish I had all of my old notes.\n\nLook hard for Parents with good contacts (example my granddaughters school have parents that own a chic fila (sp) so they provide food to sell) or past experience for resources.   Good Luck.
315047
Try a web site called sos.com it has a lot of infomation related to the baking bussiness
32204
Any time you want to start; be sure you know the local licensing requirements. Then be sure to contact your agent about Bonding and Liabilty insurance. Find some partners unless your extremely proficient in your choosen area. Start small and don't over extend unless you have 100 / 200K$ to float around for parts and labor. Best advice is to go slow and pass alot of bussiness cards around. Your reputation is your best salesman. I know I have my own electrical bussiness and have decided to keep it small after alot of suffering and nights of worrying.
591205
I did this for awhile and did pretty good.  I only did it at Christmas b/c I was in collage at the time.  I had repeat customers that kept me as busy as I wanted to be so I didn't have to advertise.  If you are creative another idea is decorate houses for Christmas...this was hard but very fun and I charged about $40 an hour so the pay is great!  Only bad thing about it was getting everything out of the attic ready to decorate so try to get your customer to do that for you and I never took down b/c I was sick of it all by then but there is great money in that too!!!  Back to the wrapping...try to get your supplies wholesale including boxes and tissue...this helps!  Good luck and have fun!!
507493
The place is very crucial, for FMCG products. In what state you are going to set-up, your establishment? Further, what are the products you are interested in. If you start with one, the other companies having similar products will follow. If you write to me in detail, I can advise you.
629779
First off it would take lots of money do you have that??  Will your product sell from a little boutique.  You need to write up a proposition and get it to a loan officer or someone that is more qualified.  This little place might be two minutes from disaster.  Don't loose lots of money.  I wish you the best.
59341
There are a few things to consider here... I've been in the rest/bar business for years.  (What IS your JOB?) I would try, at least for a while, to do BOTH... starting your own business requires a lot of committment. (I own a Flower Shop and worked nites in the bar business to help pay the bills) If you are able my suggestion would be to keep a day job, and work the bar evenings... it would eleiminate the need for additional help and the tips could also be used to help with finances.  PLUS any bar that I have ever worked in has done better if the OWNER is actually a part of the team... rather than someone who comes in takes the money and makes the deposit.  You obviously like the industry... jump in w/ both feet and be available as much as possible... it is YOUR business - be as big a part of it as you can.
428730
you can have a raffle.. write a formal letter asking for donations for your club and make a few copies, take them around to local stores ask for merchandise or gift certificates, then raffle those items off for $1 a ticket... \n\nyou can host a dance.. ask your school or city or local boys & girls club to donate a gym or cafeteria so that your club can hold a dance.. you can charge $2.50 per person, also have mothers/fathers of club members make baked goods or snacks, sell them during the dance.. \n\nyou can also make baked goods or craft projects and sell them if front of your local supermarket(make sure to ask permission from the store first).. also think about selling them during up coming christmas craft shows and parades or special events.. a lot of events need vendors and some even offer a special non profit rate if not free rate for non profits.. \n\nin the spring/summer of course you can have the ever popular carwash.. it's also good to sell snacks etc, at carwashes also, at any fundraising event you do really, baked goods are cheap to make and they always sell, no one can resist a good chocolate chip cookie... \n\nwe had a fundraiser a few months ago where a few guys from our martial arts club volunteered to shave they're heads.. so we made boxes for them and who evers box had the most $$ at the end of the day had to get his head shaved in front of everyone right then and there.. it was a big hit, it cost nothing to set it up and we made a straight profit of $500 in one afternoon... \n\nalso, and many people forget this, always send thank you letters to those who donate things or significant amounts of money.. this lets people know that you appreciate their support and will make them more inclined to donate even more next time you ask... \n\njust be creative, sensire and enthusiastic and you'll find ways to make money.. \n\nhope this helps!\n\n~*good luck*~
561134
The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.\n\nI recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.\n\nAssociations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links. \n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\n* Start and Run a Profitable Retail Business by Jim Dion, Ted Topping\n* Retail Business Kit for Dummies by Rick Segel \n* Specialty Shop Retailing: How to Run Your Own Store Revised by Carol L. Schroeder\n* So You Want To Own The Store: Secrets to Running a Successful Retail Operation by Mort Brown\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
575876
The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.\n\nI recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.\n\nAssociations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links. \n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\n* Start Your Own Crafts Business (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start-Up ; Guide #1304) by Entrepreneur Press\n* How to Start a Home-Based Craft Business, 4th by Kenn Oberrecht\n* The Basic Guide to Selling Crafts on the Internet by James Dillehay\n* The Crafts Business Answer Book & Resource Guide: Answers to Hundreds of Troublesome Questions About Starting, Marketing, and Managing a Homebased Business Efficiently, Legally, and Profitably by Barbara Brabec\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
436047
There are many ways to go about doing what you are planning. If you are thinking about selling your product at fairs, shows and or events, you might want to go and talk to all the people that are selling their baked goods at these events.\n\nThere is a reasonalbe book out about craft business, published by the self council publisher, available at most decent book stores.\n\nalso the BC government has a very good small business web site , I believe it is at www.smallbusinessbc.ca.\n\nWe started a small business from our basement, not baked goods and found that it is important to keep it simple, to document everything so that you can repeat everything you do. and to not worry about govenrment to too much, and take action as quickly as you can to keep the momentum going.\n\nKeep in mind that in all business, it is most important to figure out who you are going to sell to and to have a "stupid proof" system to prospect for current and new business for ever. Because the best product in the world, will not sell unless you consistantly target and approach the marketplace for your buyers.\n\nBooks for that are things like the E-Myth by Michael Gerber,  and Guerrila Marketing series Jay Conrad Levinson.\n\nGood Luck and send me a cake if any of my suggestions are of benefit to you.