So last friday I spur of the moment turned left at the corner to check out a new farmer's market. I ended up talking to a woman who was selling bread and it turns out she is the co-owner of a nice little shared commercial kitchen. And it is just baked goods: biscotti, bread, granola, cookies. That means no onions, no garlic, no meat--a clean smelling fridge and freezer 
And...they just had a cookie baker drop out and they were looking for someone to fill the spot. I showed her some photos and thought long and hard about it over the weekend. It has been a hard thing to not accept 'business' and to keep to my plan of not doing it until I could do it the right way, but oh how i dreamed of the day when I could take orders and sell my goods. (the food laws here are so incredibly strict. recently the health department just shut down a woman who was praised in the newspaper for buying and cooking food in her home then taking it to the skid-row park to feed homeless people a hot, nutritionally complete meal once a week.)
Really, the timing isn't perfect as I wanted to get my two boys into first grade before I started some part time commitment, but space in a kitchen like this just doesn't pop up everyday and the price is right for wading into the shallow end and figuring out the business end of it while I go. (of course, I have my dream business plans thought out and will have to adjust for my limited schedule now). They accepted me and I am going to go for it. First step was today getting my $1M insurance policy then it's down to the county and city offices for health certificates, food safety classes, business license, tax stuff....my head is spinning a bit but the co-owners said that they would help me through the incredibly un-business-friendly process that our town has for new businesses.
For now i'll be focusing on starting small with mostly cupcakes and small, heirloom cakes for farmers markets with some photos for special orders on celebration cakes and wedding cakes (not pushing that, i have two for friends this summer and i know that i need to hone my skills more before i really jump into that market). I know that I won't be turning a profit (or maybe even breaking even!) for a few months, and I will need to adjust my recipes for the commercial equipment. Going from hobby to commercial ordering is going to be an education in itself. I have time in the late afternoon/evening and on weekends.
I'm just pinching myself that this is happening. I am chalking this up to God or the universe or karma or just awesome serendipity...and going forward with the risk.
so now you'll be seeing more of me in the forum--i've already gleaned so much information lurking...now i'll have some real questions to ask!
How exciting! Congratulations and best of luck to you!!! It sounds as though things had their own time table to fall into place. Enjoy!
Yup, gotta love the Southern part of Arizona. I know she shouldn't have been doing it but that lady was put food into bellies that hadn't seen food in a while. Pima and Santa Cruz counties are the absolute worst for small businesses! The HD can't even figure out which rule they do or do not want to follow.
I'm so glad you are able to do this and I wish you all the very best! This sounds like such a great opportunity and I think you are going to do really well!
Congratulations!!! I know your excited. Great thing you following your mind & turn left
Great news! Love how things work out sometimes!
Thank you all so much for the kind words!! I am so grateful that I found this forum on this site. The process is daunting, but seeing other people's success stories and being able to keep my eye on the prize have given me the encouragement to do this! (remind me that i said this when i get freak out in a few weeks 
)
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