The Must-Read Guide to Starting a Bakery
If you have dreamed of starting a bakery, now is a great time. Over four million new businesses started in 2020! Small business owners like the idea of working for themselves.
With a little bit of research, you can find out what it takes to live your dream soon. You don’t have to wait for years to make it happen.
Running any business can be hard work. It can also mean having a rewarding career that you love. Keep reading to find out how to start running a bakery.
Running a Business
When you decide to start a business, there are some things you need to know. No matter what kind of company you want to run, you need equipment and knowledge of finance.
If you want to own a small business, start with what you need. You do not have to go all-in at once. That means you need to begin with the basics so that you don’t get overwhelmed.
You will need some bookkeeping software so that you can keep up with the money. Even if you let an accountant handle the finances, there are things you’ll have to deal with yourself.
Your small business will need specific equipment. If you can’t afford everything you need, banks provide small business loans. You can also get a line of credit that you make payments on or pay back in full.
Starting a Bakery
When starting a bakery, you will need funding. If you have some money saved up, that’s the best way to begin. If not, only borrow what you think you may need.
If your dream is to sell baked goods to people for a living, you need to find a place to lease or buy. It is advisable to rent when you begin so you don’t have to spend a lot of money you may not have.
Find a place you can lease that fits your needs. You don’t have to have a large building for running a bakery. Get the smallest space you can and go from there.
Next, you need the proper equipment for cooking and storing baked goods. You can get pie warmers for sale that will keep your baked treats fresh and toasty. You can get the one that works for your budget.
The equipment you buy depends on the types of baked goods you will sell. Baking pastries will need different tools than baking bread. Consider what you plan to bake to know what you need to use in the process.
Pick the layout and design you want to have for your small business. You will need signage and displays to make the place more appealing. A fresh coat of paint goes a long way to freshen up the looks of any business.
Running a bakery will require the use of kitchen supplies and tools. You will need industrial dishwashers to keep things clean. Special cleaners will help keep the area spotless without damaging anything.
Don’t forget that you will want to market the company for the big opening day. That can get done on social media and by advertising on the radio.
Don’t forget your licenses and permits. All cities need them, especially for food industries.
Being the Boss
If you choose to start running a bakery, that makes you the boss. That may be more challenging than you think. Owning and running a small business means all the decisions are yours.
You will need to hire staff and make sure they get trained. The team will need to learn the art of making baked goods. They will also need to know how to use all the equipment in the bakery.
Running a bakery could mean working a lot of hours. You will want to open up early when many consumers prefer to buy baked goods.
You may also work late hours if you sell coffee with your baked goods. Some people like to go on dates and have coffee while they talk. A small bakery offers a cozy environment.
Running a bakery will mean sacrificing some weekends. If you’re the type that wants to enjoy weekends off, this type of small business may not be for you. Even if you have staff to cover, people will get sick or need vacation time.
As the owner of a small business, you will decide what products get used. It may get tempting to try to serve a lot of baked goods, but sometimes less can be more. Some bakeries specialize in a few items to focus on making them better than anyone else.
Things to Consider
Decide on pricing. You have to know what will make you a profit. Consider what it takes to make the baked goods, then adjust for what’s left.
You won’t get held to a specific price, but changing them can reduce traffic in your shop. Customers want consistency.
When you start running a bakery, you might get some friends or family members who ask about discounts. As the owner, that will be your decision. Remember that whatever you decide, you will need to stick with it over time.
What about punch cards that give customers a free item after they buy a certain amount? These rewards can get customers coming back for repeat business and boost your sales.
Be the Best Baker
Starting a bakery can be exciting and challenging at the same time. You want to make sure you offer original baked goods that keep to your recipes. Focusing on what matters to you will resonate with others.
To survive in a small business, you need to develop your style. Customers enjoy individuality. Be original and feed the people what they like so they’ll come back for more.
With our guide, you will turn your dream of running a bakery into reality in no time. If you enjoyed this article, check out the rest of our website for more tips like these!
