I have some news to share and some questions to ask of you.
The news: Ornozo has been offered a job in Nebraska, the state where most of my side of the family lives. Unfortunately, the salary they offered him was less than he'd hoped. Decent, but not quite enough for us to exist on his salary alone if we hope to have me stay home with Snuggle Bug and then adopt a second child.
The questions: Have any of you started a home-based business? If so, what type of business is that? How did you get started? Were there state regulations involved to get started? I know there are a lot of scams out there but I'm clueless as to what home-based businesses might be legitimate.
I have tossed around the idea of trying to start up a small, home-based bakery (cookies, muffins, cakes). I'm doing research on how I would make this happen.
Here's something you could help me with, I need a name for my bakery. I want it to start with either A, B, or C to keep it towards the top of the Yellow Pages should I decide to advertise. Any ideas?
One last question: How much would you pay for a couple of prettily decorated cookies packaged with nice ribbon and a gift tag. Be honest.
At some point, if I really try to make a go of a home-based business, I need to figure out pricing.
Well, there you have it. We're trying to decide whether or not Oronzo should take this position, which would offer more financial stabiliy than Oronzo's contract work does at the moment, but which would generate so many uncertainties in other areas of our lives.
Labels: family, home-based business, leap of faith, Oronzo, working mommy
16 Comments:
I think you could do this if you put your mind to it. One way of marketing is to go around business with a basket to sell on the spot. Have one of your business cards attached to the cookies they buy. This would take a lot of leg work which would make it hard for a "stay at home Mom".... building the clients is the difficult part.
As far as price, how many cookies?
I would say $5 to $7 if there are 3 or 4 cookies.
I will pray for your decision on the move.
This is a fun idea! I hope to do the same type of thing some day if we are so blessed with children!
One of my girlfirends is doing a home-based cheesecake business. She does other desserts too, but cheesecakes are her specialty. She has focused on developing a repoire with coffee shops in the area.
Okay, now here's the hard one, but you asked for honesty! ;)
Your cookies ARE lovely, and this is not a reflection on the quality or unique-ness of your work, but personally, I can't see myself paying more than $1 per cookie for any cookie.
Laurel & Ann, thanks so much for your perspective and opinions, I do appreciate them! And Ann, I'm not at all offended by your honest pricing. I asked for it. :)
It's funny, in our local grocery store they're selling large decorated cookies, individually wrapped in plastic wrap (no pretty packaging or gift tag) for $5 a piece. I think to myself, 'I can do better than that!' Who knows for sure though. :)
Okay, I'd also appreciate some name ideas, don't forget!
Ah... I'm a similar crossroads, mulling whether to get myself a "real job" vs. the contracting I've been doing. I know how tough that decision is. How do the benefits and other non-salary components add to the salary he's been offered. Do they help even things out at all? That's something to think about.
I love your cookie business idea. I think have a bit of a skewed perspective on pricing, living in a city where people seem to spend the most ridiculous amounts of money on things, but I think if you package the cookies nicely -- you could probably start at at least $3-5 for two, then go from there, putting together baskets and bigger orders, etc. Maybe even themed baskets -- for a new baby, new job, holidays, I'm sorry, feel better, etc.
For your business name, I always have to laugh when I see businesses like "A1 Plumbing" or "AAA whatever" so your question made me smile. What about A La Carte or A La Mode or a play on that terminology. Here's a site with baking terminology -- maybe you can borrow some ideas from there: http://www.baking911.com/terms/baking_ab.htm
Good luck!!
I think a nice name that reflects that your product is home made and special would be good for you. BAKED FROM THE HEART, or ALL MOM'S GOODNESS, maybe A TASTE OF HOME. Not sure if any of those would work for you, but it might give you a starting point for the naming process. I think the idea someone else had about themed baskets is great. Also someone mentioned marketing by giving samples out. I work in a doctor's office and when a new bundt cake business opened down the street the lady brought in a couple of cakes to put in our breakroom. I know several of us have stopped in there after work to pick up a cake for a birthday or anniversary. So that is something to think about. Let people get a taste and they will be more likely to buy.
I sell Mary Kay on the side...when I need some extra cash I sell more than I normally do.
You can do this.....I know you can. When I wanted to stay home we made lists...pro's and cons....you wouldnt believe what I saved actually staying home.
The bakery thing would be great. I would pay maybe $10 for 3-4 cookies packaged.....but then shipping jumps in there too. Maybe you could do this locally out of your home during Valentines, holidays,,,,mothers day...go to local schools and see if you could do their cookies for their school parties.....or get a deal with local wedding planners for receptions....get your name and product out there first...you may have to take an add out...or send adds home with students at school...I know all kinds of stuff comes home with Madison. You could Birthday parties...that would be cool. Good luck with this...I'll pray so you can be closer to home....remember being home you can have more help.
Pray!
I forgot Name Ideas......
Snuggle Bugs
of course!
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but my background is food service and there are some issues to consider. One, health department. In fact, that's one through ten. If you make food for public consumption, you must be licensed through the health department. One of their requirements is a commercial kitchen. Now there are some places that allow you to lease time in a commercial kitchen, but that kills the home-based business aspect. Before you go too far in your research, I'd find out what the health department regulations are in the town you'd be moving to.
One other possibility for you might be a gift basket business. It would allow you to use your creativity creating gift baskets without requiring you to actually prepare food items.
Good luck!
I say if you want to stay at home and your husband wants to work ... GO FOR IT! You can make it work, especially if you are moving to do it. You can buy a house within your means and set yourselves up in a way that makes it doable. If you want to start a business that is doable too ... I know a lot of people are intimidated by the prospect of giving up one income, but believe me our one income is very low and we make it because we want it ... Totally sending positive vibes for you and your family one this one!
I liked the names Kim came up with ... something warm and fuzzy for sure!
your goodies look wonderful!
If the offer is in Omaha, I'd say take it! Might be because I live here and love it, but the cost of living is great, the schools are wonderful and the people friendly.
As far as the bakery idea- what about catering little kid birthday parties and corporate events. I've heard that cupcakes are really popular.
What about Above All Else Bakery...refrence to Jesus is there, reference to best in the business etc.
I'd buy kids stuff like that for maybe 5 or 6 a bundle..
Jill from Omaha.
I would pay $3-4 dollars for a few cookies packaged up. Since you like to cook, why not check out Pampered Chef?
A family friend sells it 3-4 nights a week (her mother watches her two kids) and each show takes about 1.5-2 hours. She makes over $200 per show, and also gets some free vacations each summer.
It's a good business, very family oriented. It might be a good idea because dealing with adoption and a new business might be kind of rough.
I think it's definitely worth investigating further. For a nicely package bunch of cookies, I'd say $5 or $6. And as for a name, I like the ones suggested earlier - Baked from the Heart and A Taste of Home.
I have friends that own a small, family-run deli and they have a local woman who makes baked goods for them. It's a nice arrangement - maybe you could find something like that.
I think what people are looking for these days is something with some personalization and that fills a need in order for someone to save time. I like the idea of marketing to moms for school treats for example. Or something where you could deliver cookies to someone for special occassions or a pick me up.
I'm still trying to figure out this whole SAHM thing myself.
Good luck!
Laura
Sounds like a great idea. I think I would pay about $5 for a nicely packaged bag of 3-4 cookies. As for a name, I have been thinking about it on and off all day today and I can only come up with Bring On The Sweets. Hmmm, now that I see it in print I am not so sure. Back to the drawing board.....
Here are some avenues I've known others to take:
1. Taking in another toddler.
2. Pampered Chef.
3. Creative Memories (scrapbook company, much like Pampered Chef.)
4. Children's books. I know of someone in our small town that is a stay-at-home Mom...and is doing a business w/an established company like #s 2-3...but it's children's books. The parents (or other buyer) fill out a piece of paper w/personal details about the child, pick the book (choices are like 12-13 different titles)...and then she feeds the info into her computer program...and out pops a great personalized book for a child. the owner binds the book...it looks just like something you'd buy at Barnes and noble...very professional.
I will look for her card...or call around and see if I can find the name of the company. The book titles are for all ages, such as: Batman, football, cheerleading, All About Me, Jesus Made Me. etc.
Kristi in Texas
Post a Comment
<< Home