Is anyone decorating from home and making money? - Page 3

I've read every all the post and taken everything in. I do sell my cakes from home and I always take cakes in to bake sales and only if some one asks for a business card do i give them one. I know here there are a alot of people that sell food and such out of their homes. (I live in an urban area) they even give out advertisments and post in the police station bulliten board (in the lobby next to the ATM-which is the only reason I'm in a police station) and I know these people aren't licenced. I even know of a couple of people that are home bakes. This right now is a side hobby and when I do make a little money from it (ususaly about 20 or thrity dollars) I buy dinner or something for my kids. eventually I do want to become legit and have a small store front, but right now I'm happy doing what I'm doing.

I agree that not all states/counties care one way or another about the home businesses. A friend of mine has been catering dinners for the last 2 years, all from her home. I don't really mind getting legit, but for now I simply can't afford it. I am unable to work due to serious back problems and needed something to do that I could work my own hours and be my own boss. Social Security isn't getting in to big a hurry to give me my disability. I am only 48 and they have a problem with me being "so young" and drawing disability. So, I enjoyed cake decorating so much, I thougt I might as well make money doing it. And I will continue to do it out of my home until either I get rich or get caught and have to quit. I think it is really kinda unfair to us little guys to make us be certified. And as long as your customers know you are doing it from your home, I see nothing wrong with it. I make sure everyone who asks for cakes understands I bake & decorate from home and so far no one had a problem. As a matter of fact, most of them have liked it because they get "home made" cakes and frosting and not something that sits in a 5 gallon bucket. Also, they say that doing it from home tells them I love what I do and will show on the cake, unlike bakeries.

So alot of us are all in the same boat. Glad to know I'm not the only one.

I went to the PA Dept of Agriculture website (they oversee all food and drink businesses in PA) and one of the things I did get from there is I do need to be certified in Sanitation and Food Handling to sell any food in PA. I used to be certified about ten years ago, but I never recertified. (You have to after five years, so I've decided to take a home course and get certified. It's $135.00 so I'm gonna wait until I get my tax refund and do it then.

I am in the same boat you are in. Trying to figure out how to become legit without going into debt up to my cake topper. I heard of an idea that I plan to pursue and it might help you too. Find a caterer that does not do wedding cakes. Rent the use of their kitchen. You don't have the huge expense of establishing a commercial kitchen that meets code and it gives you the added benefit of getting referrals from the caterer.

I think that is a good idea, Susan. If I didn't work full time, it might be something I would consider.

Well, remember that most caterers are in it full time so their kitchen is probable occupied during most regular hours. You could be like the second shift working lets say 5 to 10 on the days that you need to. That way you aren't in their hair. They aren't in your hair. And they make their equipped kitchen start paying extra for itself. A real win, win situation. Your professional background would help since they wouldn't have to worry about your misusing their equipment. Depending on how very honest you are you could even do some of the advance work at home and bring it in to save time away from home.

I just did my first wedding cake this past Sat and the weding was in a rec center and there was a kitchen there. I think these may be certified by the state since they do offer cooking classes there. I might check that out also.

I to am trying to find a legal kitchen, but i do have a diffrent perspective I used to own a restauraunt, and during expansion designed and built a legal kitchen. The health dept. depending on where you live can be a great source of info, they are generally not scarry. As for sub-letting a kitchen I know a number of cateres that got started that way, but due to insurance and liabilty issues churches and friendly society org. have stopped this as they are scared you will burn the place down. I have had 2 diffrent friends explore this issue recently, one is still looking, the other took over a seasonal deli and has access to the kitchen year round.
As for the sba borrowing money, I have been this route and do not beleive the publicity, you need money to borrow money, if you own a house they want collateral. NEVER take this route if you fail remember your home is on the line.
I know none of this postive, but I am still hunting and working my way through the options, and know I will find the solution, hope some of this helps.

I have been decorating cakes for almost 10 years, out of my home. In MI you must have a seperate kitchen, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. I just recently got very lucky with my community center. (I've been after them for 2 years to let me use their kitchen.) I wrote a letter to the board members, told them what I do & what I wanted & what I would do for them in exchange for use of the kitchen. It doesn't have to cost alot. Be creative! The things I had to do were 1) get a DBA ($10.00) & 2)get a license for the kitchen ($70.00).

Another option, to become "patially" legal (a friend of mine did this) is to get an LLC. (Legal liability company.) This will cost you about $50.

I have been handing out business cards for about 3 yrs., posting flyers in the local stores, etc. It was a personl decision to go legal. Not because I was afraid I would get caught or that I HAD to. Whatever decision you make must be based on your needs, wants & what you have to work with. I do suggest you be careful. I would hate to see you get in trouble, but I, along with others who posted, don't believe you would go to jail because your selling cakes! One thing to think about is the IRS. If you are selling cakes & you're making money, make sure you claim this on your tax returns. You can do this under self employment income. Write it down as a hobby or whatever as long as you pay your taxes. This was a hot topic on Ladycakes.com.

I hope this helps to give you a little more info to work with!

Hello, everyone! I am new to this site and I want to start by saying ... I LOVE IT

Now for my question. So how much money do you have to be making before you have to start claiming it on your taxes and therefore for them to notice??? I am am wanting to start my own business eventually but do not have the means to at this time. And I dont want to be illegal.

Right now im making cakes for friends and family and some at work so not really making any money

Well, thats all for now.

Jessi, as I understand it, as soon as you start making any money you need to report it on your income tax.

Actually that depends, if it is not a true business, you can claim it as a hobby if you are not making that much money on it. A hobby means not for profit, that it is mostly for fun. You still have to report it, but you may not be liable for it until a certain point.

If you claim it as a hobby, you can deduct your expenses up to the amount of profit.

Same thing with a business too. Just keep all reciepts. You have to make a certain amount to be charged Self-Employment Tax and you would be doing a Schedule C for it.

BTW, this is not word of mouth, I do taxes for a living.

Check out www.irs.gov/cdorders for a cd that you can order for $22 (US only of course) for documents, forms, etc
and www.irs.gov/smallbiz

Check out this site. It has a different spin on working from home. www.cakencrumbs.com

Wow..after reading all this I am actually scared to make cakes for anyone....