Your own business?

[shellyb42]

A friend and I have been talking about opening up our own cupcake shop.  She is a great decorator and cupcakes are her speciality.  I would take care of the business part of it.   If you were to open up your own business, what would it be?

[crystalhodder]

I would start my own dinner.  Cookin ole fashion home style cooking.   

[gafee2001]

Shelly, do you have an idea of your target market? Where I'm from, we have a chain of Dozens that provide specialty cupcakes to the higher end shoppers. I'm not sure of the exact prices, but it may be between $3 and $4 for a cupcake. It would be very wise to REALLY plan out your market strategy and location before you even think about taking it any further. I know a lot of people who started businesses, failed at them, started one again (With the same strategy!), and failed again. Now they're homeless since they invested so much money into their business. In particular, one person I know is now literally living check to check, and needs her kids to work just to keep the rent to their motel. It kinda sucks when a 16 year old is forced to work to pay the rent for a place the no one wants to live.

More of the story: Businesses can be rewarding, but be smart about it. Plan out all of the details, and be sure to consult a few people with successful businesses in your sector and geographic location. A lot of times, your competition can be your greatest ally, as especially in the case of novelty foods, any interest you create in eating cupcakes on the go will likely get them some sales if that customer swings into their area.

Good luck!

[jusu]

I had my own Gourmet Cookie and Fudge business for a few years. It was very hard getting started. When you work with food as your primary business you have extra guidelines to follow...Health Dept. has so many codes and inspections. Make sure that you really have a great plan and like gafee2001, posted a good market. Cost of making the product and the profit after ...check out small business sites. Get prices for everything, boxes,labels, logo...you always have to list ingredients and cal counts too...allergy warnings...it's very detailed but you have to do it right, especially if you are looking for a small business start up loan, Banks want all the info in black & white, along with a pint of blood...

Good luck to you, it's great when you can look back and say you actually DID IT!

[shellyb42]

Shelly, do you have an idea of your target market? Where I'm from, we have a chain of Dozens that provide specialty cupcakes to the higher end shoppers. I'm not sure of the exact prices, but it may be between $3 and $4 for a cupcake. It would be very wise to REALLY plan out your market strategy and location before you even think about taking it any further. I know a lot of people who started businesses, failed at them, started one again (With the same strategy!), and failed again. Now they're homeless since they invested so much money into their business. In particular, one person I know is now literally living check to check, and needs her kids to work just to keep the rent to their motel. It kinda sucks when a 16 year old is forced to work to pay the rent for a place the no one wants to live.

More of the story: Businesses can be rewarding, but be smart about it. Plan out all of the details, and be sure to consult a few people with successful businesses in your sector and geographic location. A lot of times, your competition can be your greatest ally, as especially in the case of novelty foods, any interest you create in eating cupcakes on the go will likely get them some sales if that customer swings into their area.

Good luck!

Thanks for the advice.  We live in a town where the only place to get cupcakes is the nearest grocery store.  I think the market here would be good for us.  Anyway, we are just in the "talking stages" so we are not rushing things.

[shellyb42]

I had my own Gourmet Cookie and Fudge business for a few years. It was very hard getting started. When you work with food as your primary business you have extra guidelines to follow...Health Dept. has so many codes and inspections. Make sure that you really have a great plan and like gafee2001, posted a good market. Cost of making the product and the profit after ...check out small business sites. Get prices for everything, boxes,labels, logo...you always have to list ingredients and cal counts too...allergy warnings...it's very detailed but you have to do it right, especially if you are looking for a small business start up loan, Banks want all the info in black & white, along with a pint of blood...

Good luck to you, it's great when you can look back and say you actually DID IT!

Thanks for your advice, as well.  I've been looking at prices and trying to figure out health guidelines.  Like I told gafee2001, we have just been talking.  We are not ready to *bleep* our fingers yet.