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Need Info on starting a home based business in CA

post #1 of 9
10/2/05 at 12:04am
Thread Starter 
Is there anyone from California that has a home based business that is willing to give me the info I need to start my own??
I am in Alameda county.
I am being pressured by all my friends to start a business. I don't know the first thing about running a business!! What do I do? where do I start? Do I get a business license?
permit?
with a home based business does this qualify me for dicounts to buy items at a cheaper rate?
Hope some one out there can help!!
Michelle
****Michelle****

Life is a game, and you must know how to play, or else you lose and can only blame your own stupidity or lack of motivation.
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****Michelle****

Life is a game, and you must know how to play, or else you lose and can only blame your own stupidity or lack of motivation.
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post #2 of 9
10/3/05 at 12:50pm
My understanding is that home-based cake business aren't allowed in CA.
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post #3 of 9
10/5/05 at 10:16am
I am in CA too and I do not know what to do. You cant advertise unless you are licensed and have access to a commercial kitchen. You can rent them hourly or contract with them for a certain number of hours a month. I have only found one kitchen that charges $25 an hour. I would not make anything if I paid that. I dont make enough cakes in a month to contract a particular number of hours. I am lucky that my house is in the proper zone for a business, however, I would have to build a separate kitchen that has a seperate entrance to it. My husband and I have been talking about building a seperate commercial kitchen and renting it out to people like me. This way, if my cake business flops, we could still rent to caterers or bakers and make money at that. icon_smile.gif
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post #4 of 9
10/5/05 at 3:06pm
Yes, I am in CA too (Shelby, I hope you got the info I sent) and have the same problem only here they won't even let you build out a kitchen at your home.

I think that is a great idea to rent your kitchen out as well. I would think there are alot of others who need the kitchen that can't afford to have one full time. Have you looked into finding renters and what they would pay?



Cat
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post #5 of 9
10/5/05 at 3:21pm
Hi,

Cake Baker here, too, what a surprise uh?
I live in California. When I asked about baking cakes out my house, I was told when hell frezees over, Ca. will never allow home-baking-based businesses. Sad, isn't it?
I went to a nearby restaurant chain, and asked if they wanted to have my cakes for Sunday brunch. They agreed. Brought samples and they love them. But, when I saw the kitchen, sooo dirty, I mean disgusting, eggs and beef sitting and dripping near the stove. I thought, no way I'm gonna bring my cakes here and be blamed if somebody gets sick.
How come the state of Ca. licenses restaurants just because they have an extra sink (being sarcastic here), I was a waitress I have seen enough in commercial kitchens to make my stomach turn up side down, revolting, I do not eat at restaurants.

I do bake for friends out my house. I am or consider myself, a very clean person. I took food handling classes a few years ago. Yes, I'm very aware I will never have a license. However, I know a chef who owns a commercial kitchen, and he says I'm more than welcome to use it. I haven't talked to him about prices or anything, not yet.

Thanks all for sharing your expertise.
Mrs. Bee
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post #6 of 9
10/5/05 at 8:00pm
Catty,

This was just a thought my husband and I thought of last week. I was wondering how I could find out what the demand is for kitchen rentals and what we would be able to charge. Any suggestions??? This is something that we would not be able to do financially for another 1-2 years. I figure that gives us enough time to do some research.
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post #7 of 9
10/6/05 at 10:24pm
I am in Ca too; and have recently been considering getting a business liciense. However, I do not know how to obtain one. I am an assistant pastry chef at a restaurant and will hopefully begin to contract my cakes through the restaurant's catering. (I was asked to do a small wedding cake already, but I had to turn it down because it is the day after a get home from a vacation. I am totally bummed!) Anyway's, I was thinking about using their kitchen and then putting out my business cards in party shops and such. I was wondering though if I even needed a business liciense if I was working out of thier kitchen. Plus I do not have a business name, and I am no where near ready to pick my name yet. Any info on a website to check out for info on licienses would be great! thanks
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post #8 of 9
10/7/05 at 12:01pm
MakeItYours,

I would ask a local librarian for some research help. A good librarian can help you find surveys on local business info. You could put an ad out and see what type of response you get as well.


Chefali,

You can get a business license through your local city hall. I don't know what city you are in but just google "City "X" AND business license" or call city hall. It is a very simple process. You just fill out a quick form and pay a fee around $100-150 probably.

You should also call your local health department to see if you need a separate or sub health permit.

And don't forget business insurance.

I would be surprised it the owner of your restaurant would allow you to do it without going through the appropriate channels because it's possible they could be on the hook in the event something goes wrong but you never know.

Good luck.

Cat
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post #9 of 9
10/7/05 at 6:57pm
Thanks for the info! I will be checking into it next week.
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