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Novelty Kitchen

Novelty Kitchen
What's the best way to start a food-based (novelty cookies/candies) business?

I have an interesting idea, but I don't have a commercial kitchen. I may need a partner who knows something about this business. What's the best way to get started? How might I find a partner?

From the article "Starting a Food Business" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol42/food.htm

"Starting a food business is both stressful and exciting. It is one business, though, that will always have a demand.

However, the ability to cook good food and tasty desserts is not a guarantee of commercial success. Knowing how to cook and starting a business are two different things. While you now have mastered the techniques of your craft in the culinary school, your next step is to learn how to start and operate a business.

Identify Your Product

Before anything else, you need to form a realistic and clear picture of what you can feasibly sell to make money. The first step is to identify what type of food item you will produce. Particularly, you need to determine what product the consumer will purchase and continue to purchase.

You indicated that you specialize in the creation of desserts, which is still a fairly large food group. Determine your niche, and decide whether you will produce baked goods such as cakes and cookies, refrigerated products, canned food, among others. Do you plan to open a bakery or a restaurant? Or are you thinking of becoming a caterer, or supplying one with your desserts?

Developing Your Product

Starting a food business is not easy. You need to be able to develop a product that will satisfy a consumer need and return a profit. The product must be of high quality, adheres to safety standards and fill a marketing niche.

Moreover, you will spend hours of testing and research to come up with a winning recipe that is suitable for commercial production. Look for ways to ensure that your products will not change its appearance and color as a result of chemical reaction between ingredients. Other quality parameters you need to check include texture and flavor.

Government Regulations

You cannot expect to start a food business without doing research on laws and government guidelines. The exact state and local agencies that you will need to contact depends upon the type of business, type of facility and the location of your business. Some food businesses are required to have an owner or employee to get special food handling training to become a Certified Food Handler. Even mobile businesses have special requirements.

In many areas, food may not be manufactured in the home for distribution. The local Public Health Department inspects food sold at the place of production, while food manufactured for wholesale distribution is under the supervision of the state Department of Agriculture. If you build a processing facility, this too will be inspected by a representative from DA before start-up.

Given that most specialty foods cross state boundaries during distribution, your business will also be subject to federal regulations. The federal agencies responsible for food safety are the FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Carefully review the government regulations before embarking on this business."

Starting a small business takes a lot of courage. But, as they say, courage does not pay the bills. To be successful – to stay in business – you need more than courage. You need a combination of hard work, skill, perseverance, and lots of luck.

Some things you need to consider:
- "How can I support my family while I build up by business?"
- "What are my abilities?"
- "Is there a market for the product or service I have chosen?"
- "How long will it take this business to reach the financial goal I have?"

You may want to read the article "How to Start a New Business Successfully" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol51/launch.htm , which lists six steps to launch a new business successfully:

1. Provide a benefit.
2. Determine the fit with your market.
3. Right timing is everything
4. Be ready to support your business
5. Develop a blueprint for success
6. Market, market, market

To give you ideas on what exactly do you need to start your own business, here are ten things you need to know before launching your own business “10 Things You Need to Know When Starting Your Own Home Business” http://www.powerhomebiz.com/052006/startingbiz.htm .

I recommend that you read the following books:

- What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business : Real Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs
- Starting From Scratch: How To Start A Business When You Don't Have Money
- If You're Clueless About Starting Your Own Business and Want to Know More
- On the Move : How to Succeed and Survive As an Entrepreneur
-How to Make 1000 Mistakes in Business and Still Succeed