Start a Cookie Business Today

We’ve designed the book to flow through each of the steps you will take in opening your cookie shop, understanding that each entrepreneur has a different skill set and level of comfort with business practices.  In the first chapters Paula addresses issues such as motivation,  trends and the daily skills any bakery owner needs. She then goes into great detail on how to write your cookie shop business plan. 

Researching and writing your own business plan is an important step in starting your business. Regardless of whether you plan on operating a small cookie business from your home, renting a commercial space or opening a brick-and-mortar shop, writing a business plan is critical to your success. A business plan will help focus your:

Market research

Advertising and promotion

Legalities for a retail or home-based cookie business

Financial documentation

We also simplify and explain the processes of:

Raising cash to fund your cookie business

Calculating the cost of your cookies to maximize profit

Expenses you will encounter before opening

Simple accounting practices for the novice

This is a Business Book for Bakers

If you already possess the fundamental skills of starting a business such as managing cash flow, generating a break-even analysis, or marketing, this may not be the book for you. However, if you’ve never run a bakery or any business, we’ve made the “business” sections easy-to-understand, written with minimal financial and technical jargon.  We believe that a successful business should master these concepts, but that it shouldn’t  be so complicated you feel intimidated. Our writing is much like storytelling in a bakery business context. We know it helps to see real examples, so you will have access to many of the sample documents we reference. You can include these in your own business plan and are free to use them in your own cookie business. 

Getting Your Cookie Shop Legal

In communities both large and small we’ve witnessed a surge in demand for hand-made, local foods. State and local governments are changing the laws to permit cottage food producers including bakeries and entrepreneurs with a unique concept and superior product are thriving like never before.  We address both the home bakery business opportunities as well as how to start a small retail operation in your community. We know that the laws are different in every community, so you are prepared with the best practices in setting up your cookie business legally.While it is possible to take a specialty food product to market it is critical to follow the legal steps and procedures. Paula and her team have consulted with health and agricultural departments across North America to guide you through the process of getting legal. We clearly explain the process of  health inspections, tax responsibilities and state and local licensing requirements. Start a Cookie Business Today covers the latest guidance about insurance for home bakeries and retail shops, taxes that could impact you, the most common equipment and construction requirements, how to work and negotiate with your future landlord, what needs to be in a lease,your responsibilities for food safety, and much more. As part of our download library you can access the Health and Safety Inspection charts and checklists used in professional bakeries. Keeping these logs will ensure your success with fire and health inspections.

If you’ve never run a business we cover topics such as:

Despite the challenges that face any new business, a cookie business can succeed because you are focussing on a time-tested, high-profit product.  If your state permits home-based or cottage bakery business, you can start your cookie business with a minimal financial investment. Finally, if you can bring a quality product to the market, with superior customer service and with a unique appeal that sets you apart from the competition,  there is nothing stopping you from creating a successful cookie business.