Hello all - my mom, aunt and I are wanting to start our own party planning business. part of our services we want to be able to offer cakes. I was wondering if ya'll would be able to direct me on where I can go to find out all of the rules and regulations?
Also I had seen some where about character cakes are copyrighted? Does this mean we wouldn't be able to make those for customers at all or is there just more red tape?
Those are all of the questions that I can think of off the top of my head (and w/ my 2 children pulling on my legs - LOL). If there is any other information you think we might need please feel free to put it out there for me... THANK YOU SO MUCH for you help!!!
edited to add - sorry forgot to mention that we are in Texas
Dolores McCann has a book out on all this. More like a notebook. It is on her site--Sugarcraft. I have it and use it all the time. It is a little dated but some things never change. Also, Earlene Moores site has different articles on this . Just go to her home page and look for it. If you have any trouble finding these let me know. Fearlessbaker
THe character cakes are copyrighted. The only way to use them is if the decorator has purchased a license for them but I'm not sure how to do that. I think it's quite expensive. You could buy the figures and work them into your cake design.
As for the party planning business--don't know much about that. We have 2 places here in East Texas that do that. I would google party planners and see what comes up. Of course, you might have to get more specifics for your area.
I'd start with your local health department to find out what the rules and regs are. Then from there you can check into local business ordinances and the such. Characters are copyrighted and you could get in trouble for "re-creating" the image. You are allowed to sell cakes when you buy the cake toppers and figurines and such. You could always try to get permission, but I've heard they pretty much just laugh you off. There are several threads on here that talks about copyrights. I believe one decorator was told not to advertise those cakes and they should be OK. I'll see if I can find that thread.
I am not sure what state you are in, but you can start at your county health department or state Dept of Agriculture for regulations on starting a cake business. You will also need to check with the city about the different permits for retail and food operations. I know here (NC) I have to have a seperate license for selling food items and nonconsumables.
BellaRosa
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