starting a bakery
I’ve been asked several times over the past few years why people can’t run a business out of their kitchens. After all, starting a home bakery is easier than trying to buy a bakery. But that’s what most people think. What do you need to set up a bakery? The idea is great; the products are often out of this world and cheaper than you could get from a professional bakery.
Just because they are cheaper doesn’t mean they are inferior. It simply means in many cases that overhead costs are less. Or it could also mean that the person who started the bakery hasn’t thought of everything and it could just be a hobby. No matter what business you plan to start, Cookies, Cup Cakes, Restaurant or Pub.
A business plan is a “must”. OK, so what do you need to start a bakery? Do you need experience? Okay, yes! It would certainly help if you know what you are doing. But is it essential? Hell no! Not always, but the more you know, the better chance you have of succeeding. Of course, if you know someone you can consult with and ask questions and get answers to, that would help the success of any business. That’s why I say you must have a plan! Let’s look at some of the reasons why people cannot operate a bakery business from home. One of the first reasons comes from local authorities, such as health and safety departments.
We’ve all read some scary stories of contaminated food in recent months, even in strictly regulated establishments. Like fast food restaurants, contaminated dairy products, dog food. Even Popeye’s food spinach. As well as fingers that are lost in these same places. It’s a big concern to make sure those starting home bakeries handle food as safety consciously as humanly possible. Food handling is only one aspect of the sanitary inspector’s job. Another is to make sure that the facilities are safe for the businesses or homes around your home bakery.
Perhaps the area in which you are considering starting your bakery is infested with rodents or insects. These parasites are not good at creating a business environment where food is the product of manufacturing. And it would also be very difficult to obtain a business license. Fire is another hazard you need to be aware of. That’s why you also need a fire inspector to approve your location. I know what you’re thinking here. My oven is metal. You can’t start a fire! ummm! You think you’re starting a home bakery, so chances are good that all your tools and equipment are the usual tools and equipment found in a typical home kitchen. That means everything is; as they say Incorporated!
Maybe your stove is a fancy glass electric range. It looks absolutely gorgeous next to your eye-level oven built into your elegant custom-built cabinets.
Problem!
First, the problem is the stove. It’s GLASS!
Second, the oven is INTEGRATED into your cabinets.
You see that the metal frame of your oven is not insulated enough to withstand a constant baking temperature and could set your beautiful cabinet on fire.