ANj bakers, how have you went about selling baked good legally out of your home ? Started an online company using a approved kitchen? Bought a store front ? I would love to know every one else's journey as I continue mine.

AYou technically can't sell anything out of your home in NJ unless you have a completely separate, inspected and licensed kitchen. Does anyone even do that? Lol. I'd love to, but I'll wait to see where we get with the CFL legislation first.

Personally, I just make for friends and family. I have a registered business, I was thinking about renting the local ice cream shop to do cakes there. I really like this lady and I asked her about it, she was open to the idea...we'll see where that goes. She said she used to do a lot of cakes, but it's not really her thing any more. Her shop is super clean, too. Much better than some of the other nasty rentals I've seen.

Where do you do your business out of?

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I did it, but I don't recommend it for everyone. You have to be willing to work hard, save to the point of neglecting yourself, exersize a ton of patience, educate yourself, and know you really want it. It took 7 years from start to finish, from being a divorced mother of 3 making $12,000 a year, and on foodstamps to doubling my income, hoarding used bakery equipment and buying a house on land contract, repairing credit and building out the kitchen, one thing at a time. Nobody dares work that hard in this generation, instant gratification is where it's at.

If you own a home with a garage, and have $1300, run some electric. $200? insulate the walls. $300? Put down some nice vinyl tile. The plumbing will cost you $4,000 if it is anything like mine.

You just have to want it enough, and you'll find a way.

AImagine if you wanted to be a dr. They aren't handed a practice, they had to invest in themselves. Same as any other career, other than head fry cook.

Btw, I think I have pictures of my bakery posted, if you want to see it.

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You are actually the only one I know of that does it. (I knew you did, before you even mentioned it...I'm a fan of yours:).

New Jersey is not business friendly. Although I've never contacted our township health department, there are a lot of municipalities who don't allow businesses from home due to zoning. We already have a fast food franchise business. I don't have anything to do with it, that's all hubby. We talk all the time about doing something else...but in the mean time the statue quo will have to do.

I really admire all the work you did to get yourself out of a crappy situation. Not everyone has that work ethic and you should be proud. Thanks for the encouraging response. :-D