Home-made japanese sweets for markets and orders

Market shoppers, fans of Japanese culture, local cafes and gift buyers, plus people ordering for holidays and parties.

You sell individual sweets, gift boxes and seasonal sets at a markup over ingredients and packaging. Pre-orders and market days bring in the revenue.

• Baking and sweet-making
• Careful, consistent recipes
• Packaging and presentation
• Talking to customers at a stall

• Cottage food rules vary by state. Items with fresh fillings (some mochi or daifuku) may not be allowed, so check with your state or county health department
• Some states require a permit, registration, food handler training or specific labels, including allergen warnings
• Check your lease or HOA rules and whether your city requires a home occupation permit
• General liability insurance and market or event insurance requirements
• Check sales tax registration with your state if you sell taxable food items

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $600 to $3,000, depending on your equipment, packaging, permits and the items you make. Check your state's rules first, since they affect which sweets you can make at home.

Cottage food rules vary by state, so check with your state or county health department. Items with fresh fillings, such as some mochi or daifuku, may not be allowed. Also check permits, food handler training, labels and allergen warnings.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $600 to $3,000, depending on how many markets you attend, your prices and how many pre-orders you take. The estimates assume at least about 8 hours of work a week.