Baking for money? -- Need input!

[CouponQueen83]

I'm not sure where to put this, so if it's in the wrong section, please let me know (or feel free to move it, mods!)!
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Ok, so my SO and I have decided we want to begin saving for our first home. We don't want to get married until I'm done with school and he's a little more established in his career....which gives us 2-3 years. So we're estimating 3-4 for a home.

We want to put 20% + down, and I'm trying to think of creative ways to stash away money.

I have no debt, besides my student loan. That will be paid off by the end of this year. I also pay cash for school now.

Anyway, the point is, my expenses are low, but I want to save even more!

I am a fairly experienced cake maker. I make cakes for all my friends and family.
I make cupcakes, but have never tried extravagant designs or anything, but I live in the DFW area, and cupcakes are the new 'thing' here.

I was thinking about starting to advertise my confections on Craigslist, through word of mouth via friends and family, etc.

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My questions are:

Is this a wise idea? Can I get in trouble by selling my baked goods?
Tax-wise, health-department wise, etc?

What's the best way to advertise and get the word out?

Should I have a sample party?

What would I charge per cupcake?

What would I charge for cakes?

What about cookies?

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I've attached some examples of my cakes and cookies. I don't really have any pictures of cupcakes I've done in the past and honestly I haven't DONE many cupcakes, but I have a TON of cupcake books at my disposal, so creativity isn't an issue

[CouponQueen83]

Anyone?

[lmcconne]

Don't have any answers to your questions. But my feeling is the baking market would not be steady and good income based on the amount of time and ingredients invested. I have baked and charged $30 for a birthday cake, but based on the amount of time and ingredients invested, I did not even make minimum wage.

My suggestion would be to get a part-time job. I know not as flexible, but steadier and better pay in my book.

[scrapper2]

Where we live -- You would need a business license, and would have to have a health department approved kitchen. Check your local city hall and health department.

[hopeky94]

I'd suggest looking in the phone book (or FB) for small, independent bakeries in your area and talking to the owners of those places one-on-one to get more info on what's needed in your area to start up something like this (like taxes and health dept stuff). They could also give you an idea of whether it would be profitable (i.e. start-up & supplies cost vs. how much they make in sales, and whether there's lots of people buying vs. too many bakers already for the # of customers around).

You may even want to consider trying to get a part-time job with an established bakery... or see if there's a small catering business in your area who would be willing to partner with you to supply desserts for their catering clients!

HTH, and good luck with whatever you decide to do! :)

[mbromberg545]

In the state of TX, you have to have a business license and the Health Department has to sign off on your business. I dealt with a woman who was trying to start her bakery before she had filed the paperwork and she found out it was a big problem. Good luck though! Cupcakes are definitely the new thing!

[Smee]

In my area, there is a lady who bakes and individually wraps things like brownies, rice krispy treats, cookies, that sort of thing. She just travels around to different businesses and gatherings where there are likely to be hungry or bored people, especially places like laundromats on Saturdays. I've seen her walk in with a tray full of stuff and walk out just about empty handed except for the $$. I've seen her all over, and I believe she is probably getting a good bit of supplemental income from it because people (ahem) are always buying that stuff. It's probably illegal as all get out and I'm reasonably sure she isn't licensed and inspected, so this is not a suggestion to do that. Just sharing an experience with a local baker who sells her goods with what seems like great success in an area where people seem generally willing to look the other way for a lady peddling brownies, cookies and other treats (at a dollar a pop!).

[CouponQueen83]

Thank you all for your input!

I decided to make some cupcakes for my boss' office staff. I made butterfly candies which I positioned on top of the cupcakes. They turned out well and a few people commented that I should sell them lol ...but honestly, I don't know if I'll have time!

It took me in total about 2.5 hrs to make a dozen. That seems excessive, especially since for this run I used a box mix and canned icing (which I wouldn't do if I made them for an actual client).

We'll see!

Smee...good idea!!!

[CW&M Mom]

I'd probably make sure you had a food handler's permit. Easy class to take and you have it.

You could also "advertise" on facebook for free...

[sns4063]

It is illegal in Texas to produce food for sale in a residential kitchen.