In today’s ‘gig economy,’ starting a home business is becoming increasingly common. Thanks to the explosive popularity of reality cooking shows, more people are experimenting with their cooking and exploring the possibilities of food-based careers. Consequently, home-based food businesses are flourishing.
Starting a home food business is not, however, as simple as turning on the stove and mixing ingredients together. There are innumerable things that you need to take into account to create a successful enterprise. Here are five important points to get you started:
Invest in Quality Cookware
You can’t expect to create commercial-grade food products at home using dated or inappropriate equipment. For the best results, you’ll need kitchen appliances that are efficient and durable. This is why induction cooking, with its extremely fast heating times, heat consistency and easy-cleanup features, is a popular investment in commercial kitchens. Just be sure that you’re using the compatible induction cookware to match.
Source Only High-Quality Produce
Using quality, freshly-sourced produce in your cooking is in your best interests for making the freshest, tastiest food product and minimizing risks in the process. Another benefit is that consumers will pay considerably more for the use of highly-sought after ingredients. Your food will only ever be as good or as valuable as the ingredients it is made from. Never settle for below-par base ingredients and most certainly don’t ever use anything you wouldn’t eat yourself!
Obtain the Right Permits
Like any business venture, you must take care of all necessary legal requirements before getting started. When home-based, some businesses require special registrations and licenses which may vary depending on your location. So, be sure to do your research or ask your local council to learn how it may affect you. You should also, for your financial sake, get an idea of the tax implications of working from home as you may be eligible to claim deductions on running costs like electricity, printer consumables, cleaning, and phone costs.
Familiarize Yourself with All Health and Safety Standards
The reading is not over after you’ve covered your licensing and tax research. When starting a food business, you’re obliged to comply with all food safety regulations, so if you need to brush up your knowledge of the Food Guidance and Regulation information, be sure to do so. It covers everything from labeling and storage standards to the detailed standards of different food and beverage groups. Depending on your business, you may require further licensing and to train and/or nominate a Food Safety Supervisor, your local council or state authority is your go-to for this information.
Get Creative with Your Branding
No matter how delicious, healthy or niche your food product is, you will not be enjoying great sales results if nobody knows about it. With so many competitors in the food industry, developing a strong brand identity that stands out can go a long way. Attract new audiences and encourage repeat customers by making thoughtful considerations to your branding. This can include a personalized touch to your product with packaging, a catchy business name or an engaging social media presence.
By following these five tips closely, you will have a solid foundation to set up your kitchen and home food business on the right foot. While it won’t always be easy, the freedom of being your own boss, doing work that you love and the comfort of working in your home environment will make it not only worthwhile, but a pleasure to get to work every day.
Mia Guerra
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