Home-Based Bakery Business

[BethLS]

Hi y'all,

Im married, two small children, and I work part time for a vet clinic.

I am in desperate desire of starting my own home-based bakery.

I'm already doing 1-2 cake orders per week, however that wouldnt be enough to quit my outside job cold turkey.

AND *shhhhhh* my kitchen is not yet lisenced. *gulp*

Does anyone know the steps and protocols for lisecensing procedures? (We're in Mid-Michigan)

Also, Im just starting to get myself out there on FaceBook...my name is "The Cake Lady" if you want to add me! (photos of cakes on there as well!) My profile pic is of a cascading-style wedding cake for finding me easier.

And, how to get more clients?

I feel like I truly have something different and unique than most other bakeries out there...

[provocativa]

the health dept likely could tell you about certification. here, you might have to rent a commercial kitchen every now and then for some jobs, or it's easier to become a certified farm to table kitchen (using local products in part of your baking) than to become a certified commercial kitchen. Word of mouth and sampling stuff out gets clients for baked stuff. There are wedding fairs and such, depends on how much you must pay to hand out samples.

[dogmom327]

It may be different in Michigan but here you can be licensed by the county or the state but you don't need both. The state is easier to deal with in my neck of the woods so I go through them. Just call your state Dept of Agriculture and ask about a food processing license. If it's anything like Oregon, they'll be pleasant Generally they're just glad people are being proactive.

[bellydance2290]

I actually came on here to find out the same for Georgia! I want to sell cupcakes, cookies, bake goods - not really fancy cakes and I was thinking I could go to local farmers markets. Anyone on here know about Georgia laws?

Best of luck to you!