Home cookie business with online orders

Neighbors, office managers, parents ordering for parties, and people buying gifts or corporate treats.

Price per cookie, half dozen or dozen box, plus gift boxes, seasonal flavors and larger custom orders for events.

• Baking in consistent batches
• Social media and photos of your product
• Order planning and time management

• Cottage food rules vary by state and county, including sales limits, labeling and where you can sell, so check with your state or county health department
• Allergen labeling, especially for nuts, wheat, milk and eggs
• General liability insurance and any local business license or home occupation permit
• HOA or lease rules about running a business from home
• Shipping costs and cookies breaking in transit, test your packaging first

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $300 to $2,000, depending on your baking equipment, packaging, ingredients and how you take orders. Treat this as a rough guide and test your packaging before shipping.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $300 to $3,000, depending on how many orders you take and your prices. Estimates start from about 8 hours a week, and results depend on how well you market your cookies.

Check cottage food rules with your state or county health department, including sales limits, labeling and where you can sell. Also check allergen labeling, liability insurance, any local business license or home occupation permit, and HOA or lease rules.