I am not a licensed business owner, however, I do sell about 5 cakes a week. I ordered business cards, will it be a problem giving them out to future customers.

I am clueless to the rules. Does anyone have any advice or know where I find out about the rules. I don't the man (health inspector) knocking on my door.

New cake lady

I have business cards that have my name and phone numbers w/email address on it. That way they (the man) can't knock on my door. Unless he ordered a cake from me.

I have business cards with my name address and phone numbers on it. I've never had "the man" contact me yet.

I made a mistake, I put my so- called business name on my card. I also included my name, phone number, and address. The big boo-boo is the business name, because I do not actually have a business.

Depending on what State you are in, the rules vary. In several states, it is not legal to sell home-baked goods at all. The local health department should be able to tell you what agency does the inspections for home bakers. Sometimes it is the State Department of Agriculture.

You have to weigh the risk of selling without a license. If someone complains or tattles, the fines can be in the thousands.

Thanks alot, What should I do?

Call your health department and find out the rules! If you are breaking them...don't hand out business cards. If you can get legal...wait until you do and then hand them out.

I find that I am in the same situation. I want to get business cards but not get in trouble. I have been debating with my friend on what we should do(we want to bake together) Rent a space and pay rent monthly and build on someone else's property. Or add on to one of our homes and still "pay rent" (take the "rent $") and put it in the bank to save for 4-5 years. We both have small children and like the idea of being home for them. It's catch 22 for us. I actually just got off the phone with my state and they are sending us a package of what we need to start a bakery at home. I am really hopeful that we can get this done by summer '07

well... why not get business card with out the name of your business on it. i just got some general business cards that just have my name, address, phone and email..... it has not business name on it.. so i can give it to my friends, potential employers ( i am still in college), and who ever else might want one. i got mine from vista print --they are the "free" ones but you just have to pay for shipping. anyways if you got business cards without the business name on it... i think that you might be more safe from the "the man" knocking on your door...

i would also find out the rules because it might be something that is attainable...

I made the mistake of having a professional design very nice and quite expensive business cards for me when I first decided to start selling my cakes. This was before I found out its totally illegal to do so in my state without a license and you cant get licensed without a commercial kitchen etc. So I have several hundred beautiful business cards and cake box stickers just sitting here collecting dust in my office.

I used to hand them out to my family and put the stickers on their cake boxes just to use them up but then I found out my family was later handing them out to people and even *gasp* putting them up on local bakery, grocery store and employee break room bulletin boards. I about died when theyd call and tell me hey I know you make really good vegan cakes so I put your card up on the business board at the health food store today! Ive had to sneak into a few different places and rip the card down lol.

So I dont hand out anything and until Im legal I dont plan to.

If "the man' is tall, dark and handsome, I'm gonna invite him in!

Oh wait..... you mean Big Brother! And here I thought you were all talking about my very own baker's boytoy!

AHHH_HAAAA_HAAAAA _AAAAA ROTF!!

Thanks for the advice

Jayla - there is a list posted (I think it's in the cake dec business forum) that has a list of who to contact in each state. I'm not talking about the 'wanting to start a business and don't know where to start' list that's on the home page of CC - this one is state specific and it had who in VA I needed to contact (happens to be the Dept of Ag). I called them, they sent me a packet, I submitted it, 'the man' came to inspect me and VOILA, I'm legal. I would highly recommend going the legal route - it made me feel very official - plus now I can approach local bridal shops, advertise, get tables at bridal shows, etc. and not worry about getting fined.

Thanks for all the advice