Cake Decorating Community - Cakes We Bake

Anyone own one??  Or opening one.  I have been decoratin gou tof my house for a little while but really would love to open a little bakery.  Any tips or suggestions.  I have 2 kids and one is little so that is really what is holding me back at the moment, because of the time that I would need to spend there.

Thanks

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Opening a cute little bakery, with a few bistro tables and beautiful baked goods in the window, gourmet coffees brewing ....doesn't that just sound awesome? Believe me, I have this dream. And then my mother and husband - both of whom are HUGE supporters of my dreams - remind me that a bakery means 1) rent, 2) insurance, 3) equipment, and 4) extremely long hours. Even though there is no other bakery in our little town (well, there is a cafe that sells homemade baked goods but not decorated cakes, plus it's overpriced and the hours are odd), I wouldn't dare do it because I'm not certain it would succeed and that is a LOT of effort and commitment for something with such a high potential for failure.

That said, if you have the capital and the time, you should go for it. I would suggest developing a business plan - lots of communities have resources at the local chamber of commerce that can assist with this - and asking friends and family if they are interested in investing. I would say, depending on where you live, to open a bakery would cost between $100,000 and upwards of $250,000.

Good luck - and let me know if you're hiring!
Soooo......Jennifer....how come you let someone steal your dream???? And you gave great advice....for you as well...just sayin'....

Jennifer Cintron said:
Opening a cute little bakery, with a few bistro tables and beautiful baked goods in the window, gourmet coffees brewing ....doesn't that just sound awesome? Believe me, I have this dream. And then my mother and husband - both of whom are HUGE supporters of my dreams - remind me that a bakery means 1) rent, 2) insurance, 3) equipment, and 4) extremely long hours. Even though there is no other bakery in our little town (well, there is a cafe that sells homemade baked goods but not decorated cakes, plus it's overpriced and the hours are odd), I wouldn't dare do it because I'm not certain it would succeed and that is a LOT of effort and commitment for something with such a high potential for failure.

That said, if you have the capital and the time, you should go for it. I would suggest developing a business plan - lots of communities have resources at the local chamber of commerce that can assist with this - and asking friends and family if they are interested in investing. I would say, depending on where you live, to open a bakery would cost between $100,000 and upwards of $250,000.

Good luck - and let me know if you're hiring!
Amy do you want to do cakes or open a bakery? If it is just cakes you dont need a store front just a commercial kitchen where you can talk to clients so your rent will be much cheaper....if you are going to open a bakery with a full blown menu like bread cake pastries then yes you will need a bigger space and more equipment.,..what do you have in mind?
Well I would love to open an actual bakery but I have little ones that I stay home with and don't want to put them in childcare. So for right now I was going to just do it out of my house. I guess then try and market myself. Maybe do some shows and things. I was also thinking of a site.

Karen Marie said:
Amy do you want to do cakes or open a bakery? If it is just cakes you dont need a store front just a commercial kitchen where you can talk to clients so your rent will be much cheaper....if you are going to open a bakery with a full blown menu like bread cake pastries then yes you will need a bigger space and more equipment.,..what do you have in mind?
Well just make sure you can sell cakes from home....states are cracking down on illegal home food preparation....see the forum under cake business and read the thread Selling Cakes Illegally before you do anything....

amy snyder said:
Well I would love to open an actual bakery but I have little ones that I stay home with and don't want to put them in childcare. So for right now I was going to just do it out of my house. I guess then try and market myself. Maybe do some shows and things. I was also thinking of a site.

Karen Marie said:
Amy do you want to do cakes or open a bakery? If it is just cakes you dont need a store front just a commercial kitchen where you can talk to clients so your rent will be much cheaper....if you are going to open a bakery with a full blown menu like bread cake pastries then yes you will need a bigger space and more equipment.,..what do you have in mind?
Oh I didn't mean to make it sound that way - I would love to do it, but I don't have the capital, although these days, for once in my life, I arguably DO have the time!

Karen Marie said:
Soooo......Jennifer....how come you let someone steal your dream???? And you gave great advice....for you as well...just sayin'....

Jennifer Cintron said:
Opening a cute little bakery, with a few bistro tables and beautiful baked goods in the window, gourmet coffees brewing ....doesn't that just sound awesome? Believe me, I have this dream. And then my mother and husband - both of whom are HUGE supporters of my dreams - remind me that a bakery means 1) rent, 2) insurance, 3) equipment, and 4) extremely long hours. Even though there is no other bakery in our little town (well, there is a cafe that sells homemade baked goods but not decorated cakes, plus it's overpriced and the hours are odd), I wouldn't dare do it because I'm not certain it would succeed and that is a LOT of effort and commitment for something with such a high potential for failure.

That said, if you have the capital and the time, you should go for it. I would suggest developing a business plan - lots of communities have resources at the local chamber of commerce that can assist with this - and asking friends and family if they are interested in investing. I would say, depending on where you live, to open a bakery would cost between $100,000 and upwards of $250,000.

Good luck - and let me know if you're hiring!
I agree...opening a bakery is a FULL TIME JOB and then some! I did it...well CupCakery and we specialize in cupcakes and decorated cakes for all occasions. My day starts at 4am and ends around 6 30 pm...AND...once I am home...I am on the computer (no time at the bakery) answering emails...updating FB ...and...enjoying a bit of conversation and networking here on Cakeswebake!!! Dinner...what is that? I did not have alot of capital...not near the amount suggested here...but my bakery is limited. While we do well...and pay our overhead each month...I DO NOT get paid. It takes 4 of us to run the place...prep work...baking fresh daily...customer/counter help...decorating for cases and orders...supplies...recipe development (have to stay on top of the industry)..then there are things like...2 of 3 ovens going down...still needing to get the orders out...salesmen finding you and "stopping by to say hi" (like we have time)...answering phone calls...THEN...other than daily tasks...you have to let people know you are there...keep the business growing..SO..participation in Food Shows, Bridal Shows, Charity Events...whew...that is just a sampling of what it takes. OH...don't forget the "little" tasks..like dishes...and folding bakery boxes...ordering paper products...cleaning the place...mopping..bathrooms...sanitizing your utensils and bakeware every night...well...I think you get the picture. Luckily...my family is grown...and I can come home and not worry about when we eat dinner (my husband is understanding) or IF we eat..usually too tired. Having said this...I LOVE MY JOB...and would not trade it for anything. I do see the "light at the end of the tunnel"...I should be able to get some sort of paycheck the first of this year...after 2 years open. For you...a support system would be a definite necessity..OR...as Jennifer said..alot of money!Keep us posted...and keep following your dream...just go in with your eyes open. :)
THanks so much for that info!!! I have a family and the kids are young. That really holds me back from opening a store. I can do it from home and got everything I need to start. I signed up to do some bridal shows and am trying to market as must I can. I don't ahve the capital, just trying to make some money and do what I love. And even though your schedule seems crazy and hard and very filled, it sounds great. I think I would love it. THere is a little bakery in my home town that I always thought I would own and run. It sold and I didn't know it was for sale even though I have an investor for a brother. It more or less broke my heart. ANd I decided just cause I am a stay at home money with a buisness degree doesn't mean I can't make money and do what I love. And for no training I think I am pretty good. One day I will have a bakery outside of my home. :) I am gonna keep on at it!!!

Patty said:
I agree...opening a bakery is a FULL TIME JOB and then some! I did it...well CupCakery and we specialize in cupcakes and decorated cakes for all occasions. My day starts at 4am and ends around 6 30 pm...AND...once I am home...I am on the computer (no time at the bakery) answering emails...updating FB ...and...enjoying a bit of conversation and networking here on Cakeswebake!!! Dinner...what is that? I did not have alot of capital...not near the amount suggested here...but my bakery is limited. While we do well...and pay our overhead each month...I DO NOT get paid. It takes 4 of us to run the place...prep work...baking fresh daily...customer/counter help...decorating for cases and orders...supplies...recipe development (have to stay on top of the industry)..then there are things like...2 of 3 ovens going down...still needing to get the orders out...salesmen finding you and "stopping by to say hi" (like we have time)...answering phone calls...THEN...other than daily tasks...you have to let people know you are there...keep the business growing..SO..participation in Food Shows, Bridal Shows, Charity Events...whew...that is just a sampling of what it takes. OH...don't forget the "little" tasks..like dishes...and folding bakery boxes...ordering paper products...cleaning the place...mopping..bathrooms...sanitizing your utensils and bakeware every night...well...I think you get the picture. Luckily...my family is grown...and I can come home and not worry about when we eat dinner (my husband is understanding) or IF we eat..usually too tired. Having said this...I LOVE MY JOB...and would not trade it for anything. I do see the "light at the end of the tunnel"...I should be able to get some sort of paycheck the first of this year...after 2 years open. For you...a support system would be a definite necessity..OR...as Jennifer said..alot of money!Keep us posted...and keep following your dream...just go in with your eyes open. :)

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