I've been a hobby baker for years and have wanted to go into business but I figured that was still a few years off. Yesterday, the owner of a local pizzaria/ice cream parlor asked me if I would be interested in supplying them cupcakes to sell in their shop. I was flattered and the idea is tempting....but....I am not a certified business, there is no cottage food law in MN, business wise...I am not ready! I love the idea of getting my name out there but I would have to rush to find a kitchen to bake from, food handling cert., business license. I will not do this illegally. I don't even have a business plan! Do I even have the time?! I have a lot to think about....

Any opinions or advice would be great. There is no doubt that I can bake, but I have SO much to learn still. Can I learn along the way?!

d.

Ask them if you can bake in their shop during after hours, or before they open.
You are very talented. I would love to see you take this opportunity.

^this. If you can work at night, baking on premises would solve a lot of problems.

How exciting! Baking in their kitchen would take care of some issues. You now need to decide if you'll set up a business and sell him your products, or work as an employee. (You cannot be a subcontractor.)

Good luck and keep us posted.

You can do a quickie business plan for this project only. PM me and I'll help. I wholesale and can give you some percentages and real numbers to see if you can work backwards to decide if you can make money on this project.

Thank you all so much! I meet with the owner tomorrow to discuss this more. The shop only has pizza ovens, as far as I know. I'm going to have to weigh my options before I make a decision!

I will let you all know how it goes!

-d.

First of all, congratulations!!! If you can bake in their shop that will be great. You should pm scp1127, get some advise and check if it is worth and if you have the time.

Wow! Congratulations! What a great opportunity! And I'm not jealous at all. Nope, not one bit.

I have cupcakes in a bakery display at a local restaurant, wholesale historic candies sold in museum gift shops all over the country, and I have just picked up a coffee shop in an antique store for muffins, pound cake slices, etc. Some of that candy is going in a local gift shop when I get around to it.

Baking in an unfamiliar oven may need some adjusting. Be sure to do a test run before you say yes.

Yes, dandy and I are pm'ing.

An issue I brought up in the pm... these items should be priced as leaders to the store. They are a reason to come in, get a cupcake, and leave, only to later choose to try the pizza. Or theycan be an add-on to customer perks... why that customer chooses that pizza place. They, being wholesale and not made by the owner, should not have the same profit margin as the pizza. This is important to clarify with the shop owners because they need to be realistic about the margin.