Know about starting a business?

[LadyDZA]

I'm really thinking about trying to take this apple thing further. I've had lots of people, friends included, ask me to please put up a website so that they can order them online and pass it on to their friends or family. I don't know the rules about this--I've just been making them for friends of family, and friends-of-friends by word of mouth. I am sure I'd have to have a commercial kitchen, and I've already started checking into that. Anyone know any other rules?? I tried looking it up but I don't know what I'm looking for. I mean, I know that my kitchen is clean when I cook in it (I'm a FANATIC! I wont even cook dinner until it's spotless!) but I know that other people might not know that and I am pretty sure the state requires any food going out to be from a commercial kitchen.

[linnvix]

I don't know how extensive you want your business to be, but the FDA website might help:

US FDA/CFSAN - Starting a Food Business

I would definitely check into your state's laws first (sometimes it even varies from county to county).

As far as a commercial kitchen is concerned, some places rent out their space when not in use. You could look into that.

As for a website, don't pay ridiculous money for one. There are plenty of places that host for free or at least very affordable. Most of them have basic templates for design and use (forum, e-commerce, and etc).

Good luck... I hope I was able to help a little.

[LadyDZA]

Thanks, I'll look at the FDA site. I was trying to look into state/local laws, but am not sure what I'm looking for, so I've been stuck!! As far as a website, my husband is a programmer, so I am not worried about that aspect of it at all!

[jeri]

It's all different from state to state. Go to the Health Dept. page of your state and see what is there. Oregon has a link on theirs that spells out what is required. Then you have to register as a business with the state, get a tax id number etc. It is a pretty drawn out process. That is why I stay small and just work for family and friends. Most of my cakes I do for the cost of supplies and the labor is their wedding gift from me. I'd love to open my own shop but with the overhead I would never make it in this area. I live in a very small town and there is not enough foot traffic to make it. You live in a populated area so it might be profitable for you to look into it. Once you got a tax id number you could purchase supplies wholesale and that would up your profit margin by a ton. Your apples are so unique that you have a very distinct product. It's not something everyone has on the market

[jeri]

One more thing you might check in the links is for catering business. That might spell things out clear. Oregon's site is under the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture Food Safety Division Domestic Kitchen.

[puzzlegut]

Make sure to check with your local health department. Some states and areas will allow you to bake from your own home, while others will require you to use a commercial kitchen.

[LadyDZA]

This one definately will not let you do it from home!! You have to have a commercial kitchen--I think I've found one! I think. I might be getting excited prematurely, but it's okay because I don't know what to do next anyway.

[Amanda]

Good luck with this. I think you've really found a great niche!! I hope it all works out well for you.

[mssweetie24]

I would contact your local health department and ask what are the requirements and such. They can be a big help.