How to turn baking at home into a business
Hi everyone, for those of you who don't know me my name is Amira Rabah! I'm the creator of both @the_sweetlife_of_amirarabah and @sweetlife_bakery_official on Instagram, and I'm going to share how I turned my hobby of baking into a business! I know the thought of starting your own business can be overwhelming, especially when there is so much that’s involved, but with these tips, your transition from a home-baker to a business owner will be so much smoother!
1. The first thing you want to get done especially, if you are going to be selling goods from home, is to fill out a home processing form. Now I know it sounds like endless paperwork, but it is truly a breeze once you understand the thought process behind it! All you have to do is look up the home processing form for your state, fill it out with details as to what you will sell, your address etc… then you will email it over and get your approval within the week! I know you may be thinking why is this so important? This form lets your state know that you are approved to sell goods out of your home. Since every state's rules are different, I definitely advise doing some research so you can get your form approved. Now let's get into the more exciting parts!
2. Have a game plan ready! Figure out what you want to sell, how much it's going to cost to make, and how much you want it to sell for! I figured out what I wanted to sell based on what my states allowed, and I also picked baked goods I knew I was familiar with! Buying in bulk can save you so much money! I buy almost all my ingredients in bulk from webstaurantstore.com including some of my packaging and I’ve saved hundreds of dollars in ingredients! When it comes to your selling price ask yourself, how much did my ingredients cost? How long did it take me to make this product? Etc…. I know as home bakers we tend to undercharge, but know that your work is worth so much more than that!
3. Figure out your Packaging! When it came to packaging, I felt super overwhelmed because I didn’t know where to start, that was until I found Canva, their website allows you to make logos, and business cards in a breeze which is so great for beginners! If you want to go a step further while also supporting a small business, there are tons of amazing Etsy sellers who can help you create a logo at a great price! When it comes to ordering your business cards, stickers, etc…. I always use Vistaprint! They have great sales, and even greater prices!
4. (Optional) Create a website! Now you don’t always have to create a website, you can share your work via social media platforms, but I personally love having a website because not only does it bring more attention to your business, but you can also sell and ship your desserts which is a great source of income!
5. (Optional) If you are interested in shipping desserts definitely buy your supplies at Uline, they have the best selection of shipping supplies for such a reasonable price! They are a great company to start out with! When packing your desserts for shipping remember that bubble wrap will be your best friend! It’s saved me from so many shipping disasters. I also highly recommend shipping with companies like FedEx because you can schedule pickups, and manage your shipping so much more productively.
6. Make sure you are spreading the word on social media! Get your name out there, and show pictures of your work! People are more likely to buy from you if they have visual example! When it came to taking product photos I started off with my phone, and the Lightroom app! You don’t need to invest all your money into high quality camera equipment, start small and gradually get bigger. As time goes on, your company will grow with you. Also don’t be afraid to reach out to your photographer friends. I’ve had so much help with upgrading my pictures that way. I added some of my business product shots below so you can see the before and after of my progress! Give yourself time, and always remember practice makes perfect!
7. Lastly, have patience! Sales don't happen overnight, it took me 2-3 months before I got my first sale, It’s completely normal! Don’t give up, and keep working at it! Don’t forget to look after these tips, and always keep promoting your business. If you want to learn more about turning baking into a business, follow me @the_sweetlife_of_amirarabah and @sweetlife_bakery_official or check out my website at https://www.thesweetlifeofamirarabah.com . I can’t wait to see where this journey takes you, and as always stay sweet!
PhotoCredits to: @sugarcrystalkitchen & @karyaschanilec