Home pastry and cake business

Neighbors, local families, office teams and people ordering for birthdays, showers and small gatherings.

Price per item, box or custom cake. Pre-orders for holidays and events bring larger orders, and weekly pickup menus bring repeat customers.

• Baking and decorating
• Recipe costing and pricing
• Social media and photos of your work
• Reliable with orders and deadlines

• Cottage food rules vary by state, and some limit cakes needing refrigeration, annual sales or where you can sell. Check with your state or county health department
• Labeling and allergen requirements, check what your state requires on packaging
• Home occupation permit, HOA or lease rules for running a business from home
• General liability insurance and a business license from your city or county
• Sales tax registration with your state, if baked goods are taxable there

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $300 to $2,500, depending on the baking equipment you already have, your packaging and ingredients, and any insurance or registration you need.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $400 to $3,000, depending on how many orders you take, your pricing and whether you sell at markets or by pre-order. These are estimates, not guarantees, and the figures are before costs.

Cottage food rules vary by state, and some limit cakes needing refrigeration, annual sales or where you can sell. Check with your state or county health department. Also check labeling and allergen rules, home occupation, HOA or lease rules, insurance and sales tax.