I'm contemplating renting space (besides my kitchen) to use as a place for holding consults with potential clients. Right now I am meeting at the local Starbucks or when its last minute, making a quick phone call. I would really like a nice place where I can sit down, relax and talk cake. Somewhere that I could have a table, filing cabinet, some pictures of past cakes, letters of recommendation, and a few dummies. We're moving a mile west (lol) in two weeks and would have a spare room in out place, but I'm not confortable having "potential" customers or any customers rather know where I live or even know the contents of my home. I may have the chance to rent a 6X10 space in an office space where I could set up and even put my name outside on the window, but I'm not sure if this would pay off. The rent would be around $50/ month- same as I am paying for my farmers market space. But I want something more professional looking and more permanant than that. So.....any thoughts?

Oh yeah, I wont be selling anything "out" of there. The only time I will have cake there is when I am meeting someone for a pick up.

for $50/per month, I think it would be worth it, as long as you are able to make up the financial loss of renting the space.

$50 sounds like a very inexpensive way to advertise your business as professional and keep your home life private! I used to rent a second floor office in our Town (with a shared bathroom,) for $300. per month and thought that was good!

I presume you are working out of a licensed home kitchen. (if not, a storefront is a big flashing sign to the inspectors)

A professional location might be helpful, but how much time can you spend away from your kitchen?

Will this be closer than Starbucks?

Do you sell enough cakes to make the meeting space necessary?
The more you sell, the less time you will have to go 'out'.

I meet many of my customers in coffee shops. The brides seem to be quite comfortable. (For tastings we meet other places)

If you have the $$ to spare, and the time to be away from the kitchen, it could work for you.

I think thats a bargain and would be worth the money, I would have expected you to pay more than that, I would do it IMO

Are you planning to give up your farmer's market stall? If so, I think it sounds perfect! Unless you need the added advertising from the market, I'd go for it! Let us know what you decide.

I would only rent an office if you are working out of a licensed kitchen. If the health dept finds out...you're gonna be paying a lot of fines and probably lose your business. The bills in my shop run close to $2k a month but I am legal and wouldn't have it any other way.

Wow, thanks for all of your quick responses!

Yes, I am licensed and this would be completely separate from my rented kitchen. It would only be a 6X10 ft space for a small "office" of sorts.

Do I have enough time to take away from my kitchen? As of now yes, because I see my busiest time being a Saturday or Sunday- two days I can not have the rental of my kitchen. (I'm on a discounted plan with them which really only allows me to get the weekdays for myself)

Yes, I am selling enough to civer the costs. I would also be giving up my farmers market space, hence making my out of pocket the same as it is now minus the furniture I would need to furnish, and the advertising.

This one be one miler closer to me than Starbucks, and in a great downtown location where people would see my name daily.