CUPCAKE BUSINESS

How to start a cupcake business from home?

Cupcakes are the new cake. Everywhere you turn, pastry chefs are turning cupcakes into works of art, even creating much larger cakes out of tiny ones. If this is something you know how to do, or are willing to dedicate some time to learning, then starting a cupcake business of your own could prove to be lucrative and fun.

Step 1:

Develop your recipes and your decorating skills. Take classes in decorating if you haven't already, and look online and in books to inspire yourself with new and interesting designs. Your cupcakes must look amazing to get people to order them, but they also must taste great, so be sure that your recipes are interesting and unique. Don't rule out classic varieties, as sometimes a chocolate cupcake with white buttercream frosting is a perfect treat.

Step 2:

Check with your local department of health as well as your state department of health or agriculture and find out if your state allows you to sell things baked in a home kitchen. You might have to rent a commercial kitchen to bake cupcakes for sale. Churches and schools often rent out kitchens inexpensively if you can't find a restaurant willing to rent you some time in their kitchen.

Step 3:

Create a variety of cupcakes, take pictures and then create your promotional materials. Come up with a name for your cupcake business and design a logo around it. Place the logo on your business cards, in a brochure and on your website. Engage an experienced web designer who can translate your culinary vision into a website. Use your pictures to tell the story of your cupcakes, but also describe them well.

Step 4:

Find sufficient packaging materials. You will need to make sure your cupcakes get where they are going safely. If you are selling locally, make sure you offer boxes and bags people can carry themselves easily. If you are selling online, find a source of boxes that you can use to ship your cupcakes safely. Be sure to place a label with your logo and contact information including website address on all of your packaging. Be clear, also, as to what ingredients are in the cupcakes and whether your equipment comes into contact with nuts as this can be a potentially deadly allergen to some.

Step 5:

Launch your business. Whether you are opening a simple online business, or are taking your cupcakes to fairs, festivals and farmers' markets, launch your business with a party and lots of free samples. No one will be willing to spend up to $4--as some bakeries get--each on your cupcakes if they haven't seen and tried one yet. Get folks to give you a testimonial about how wonderful your cupcakes are. You can use these quotes on your website to help persuade those who haven't been able to try one yet to buy.

Step 6:

Promote your business. Use social media outlets, such as Facebook, Twitter and Linked In, to update friends and customers on new recipes, new ideas, promotions and more. Offer gift certificates or gift baskets as prizes for local organizations' charity events and raffles. Word-of-mouth is key to building a business with a good reputation. Don't be stingy when it comes to helping out good causes.