How to Sell Cookies From Your Home

So, you’re an awesome baker and your family and friends love your baked treats. Now, you want to take your art to the next level and learn how to start selling baked goods from your home. Congratulations! You’re not only talented in the kitchen, but you have an entrepreneurial spirit and want to make a business out of your passion. We’re sure you have a variety of questions that might include, “can I sell cookies from home,” what are some cookie business ideas,” and “what is involved in a homemade cookie business?”

We’re here to help answer all your questions and help get you started with a recipe for business success.

How to Start Selling Baked Goods From Home

First things first. Sharing your treats is one thing, but selling them and making a profit is another. You should contact your local Small Business Administration or chamber of commerce and research what licenses and legalities are involved in how to start selling baked goods from home. You will be considered a cottage industry and just like other types of businesses, you will need to create a business name, entity and understand the rules you need to follow. We will discuss how to create a business plan later in this article. These details are important to creating a proper business foundation that will include how to sell baked goods legally from home.

We suggest researching other home-based baking businesses that excite you and see how they are marketing their business. You can learn so much on how to sell cookies from home and even narrow down your best desserts to sell from home from other businesses similar to yours. Many famous nationally recognized baked goods companies started just like you and can inspire your growth.

Next, you have to decide what your most popular recipes are and make them your top-selling baked goods. It’s easier to narrow down your choices at first, so you won’t be overwhelmed with too many options. Decide how to sell baked goods from home. Will you sell them online through a website, social media, and messaging, or will you take your top-selling baked goods to festivals and craft fairs? In today’s digital world, it’s easy to create a balance of online orders and personally attending festivals. Combining both into building your brand and business is key to future success.

Cookie Business Plan

Every business needs to have a business plan. What does a cookie business plan look like? You can go to the Small Business Administration website to see a cookies business plan sample, amount others. In a nutshell, a business plan is a dynamic document that you will change as your company grows, and you begin selling cookies for a profit. It includes details of your cookie business concept and how to make money selling baked goods from home. Business plans are important for you to review and update as your business changes. It will also help you secure loans from banks and investors when you need additional money for equipment, ingredients, packaging, and marketing. The sections of a business plan can include:

Executive Summary: This section is an overview of your business plan that is like a snapshot of what you are all about. This is where you share your story, an overview of how easy sweets to make and sell, what sets you apart from your competitors, and what your future goals are. It’s intended to want the reader to learn more. Include your business name, home-based bakery website address, product, mission statement, and who your target audience is.

Company Description: This is the section of your cookie business plan that answers the who, what, where, why, and how of your business. How profitable is a cookie business, what is your legal structure, what is your history, what product will you sell, what is your budget, what are your short and long-term sales goals, and how will you make a profit? If you have proven facts and sales history, include it, too.

Products Description: This section will describe your products and how they will benefit your customers. Include what ingredients you use, how you are pricing homemade cookies to sell, and other information that makes you special or different from other bakers. Explain the best baked goods to sell from home, including how you plan to expand your product line in the future, and how you will sustain your business over time.

Marketing Plan: This section is all about your marketing plan for your cookie business. You will share that you have researched the industry, know who your customer is, understand your competition, and how you are going to promote and sell your products. Include cookie business success stories. Other helpful information in this section are demographics, market data, infographics, and other supporting materials.

Business Structure: This section will share who is working with you in your home cookie business and any partners you have. List their names, career history, and current roles and how their background will help you be successful.

Do You Need a License to Sell Baked Goods From Home?

As we mentioned previously, one of the most important parts of opening a home bakery is understanding the baking from home regulations in your state and how to get a license to sell food. This varies from state to state, so you need to research before investing in your business. You need to consider everything from do you need a license to sell baked goods from home to the kitchen requirements for a home baking business. Timing is also important. How long does it take to get a cottage food license and all the information you need to apply for a license could take a while. Before you do anything visit your state’s health department to get information on what is legal in your state’s cottage food industry. Cottage food laws regulate foods like baked goods, candies, dry goods, and pickled products, and even canned foods. Ask them, do I need a license to sell cookies from my home, and they will provide you with everything you need to know. Here are some examples of different states:

• Do you need a license to sell baked goods from home in Florida?: According to the Florida Department of Agriculture, you do not need a license or permit to sell home-baked goods and the state doesn’t require any kitchen inspections.
• Do you need a license to sell baked goods from home in NY?: According to snallbusiness.chron.com, you need a permit and a kitchen inspection from the NY Department of Health and the New York Division of Food Safety and Inspection.
• Do you need a license to sell baked goods from home in California?: According to small business.chron.com, home bakers must get a license to sell their baked goods using their social security number and the owner’s legal name.
• Do you need a license to sell baked goods from home in Texas? Selling baked goods from home in Texas is easy. According to texascottagefoodlaw.com, you do not need a permit or license to sell home-baked goods and the state doesn’t require any kitchen inspections.
• Do you need a license to sell baked goods from home in Washington State?: According to pickyourown.org selling baked goods from home Washington State is allowed, but you have to follow certain regulations and have a particular license.

How to Sell Cookies Online

Now that you are aware of what it takes to get your business started and the licenses and inspection your state requires, it is time to move on to the fun part. Marketing and how to sell your products online, which is one of the best ways to get the word out about your new baking business. Castiron.me has helpful guides and blogs to get you started in the right direction and give you tips on how to sell homemade cookies online.

How To Start An Online Presence: Your online presence is going to help you launch your home-based business. Create a website, share your story, include your products and everything about you. Engage the readers and keep them coming back for more. Add testimonials, pictures, blogs, behind-the-scenes videos, and more. Relevant and consistent content will help your business grow. You can hire a website designer or create your own using a template offered through online tools. Here are two online channels to use to link back to your website.

• Social media: The key to using social media effectively is to know what platform your audience is spending time on. Facebook is the largest and most popular platform for a general audience and Pinterest is a very visual platform where folks go to find ideas, tips, and new products. Post information and include a link back to your website.
• Email marketing: Email marketing is an important part of any online marketing strategy. Collecting your customers' addresses and sending them personal communication is priceless.

How to Sell Cookies on Facebook: Social media is a great way to organically start getting the word out. You can create beautiful pictures of your baked goods, recipes, and testimonials from your customers. Ask fans to share with their friends and include a call to action, Order Today! You can also purchase ads and boost posts that will improve your reach. Castiron.me can help you with selling cakes on Facebook and other baked goods, too.

We hope this information helps you launch your home-based business. Contact the experts at Castiron.me and let's get baking today!