I need info on starting a home based catering business?

Question

from home. Any suggestions. I'm on a fixed income.

Answer 1

The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.

I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.

Associations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.

Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

Catering Specific:
* How to Start a Home-Based Catering Business, 5th by Denise Vivaldo
* How to Run a Catering Business from Home by Christopher Egerton-Thomas
* Start and Run a Catering Business by George Erdosh

Financial Specific:
* Free Money for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs by Laurie Blum
* Finding Money: The Small Business Guide to Financing (Small Business Series) by Kate Lister, Tom Harnish
* Financing Your Business Dreams With Other People's Money: How and Where to Find Money for Start-Up and Growing Businesses by Harold R. Lacy
* No Cash No Fear: Entrepreneurial Secrets to Starting Any Business with No Money by Terry Allen
* Starting on a Shoestring: Building a Business Without a Bankroll by Arnold S. Goldstein

There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 2

I suggest you read the free article "How to Start Your Own Highly Profitable Home Based Catering Business" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol25/cateri... . The article can give you an introduction on how to start your own catering business. It covers information on the demand for catering, startup costs, income potential, and marketing your catering business.

Check with your local county the requirements for starting a catering business. You will have to call your county regarding rules and regulations governing home based catering. Contact the Food Services group of your county, or whatever department your county calls the section responsible for food businesses.

In the Nags Head area of North Carolina, for example, catering businesses are subject to prepared food and beverage tax that the business operator pays to the county on a monthly basis, and this tax is 1% of total gross of each month. Different counties have different rules. Those starting a catering business also need to get a state ID from the Department of Revenue, which is the ID in those monthly food and beverage report that will be submitted to the county.

For detailed information, I suggest you check out the following books:

- How to Start a Home-Based Catering Business
- How to Run a Catering Business from Home
- The Complete Caterer: A Practical Guide to the Craft and Business of Catering
- How to Manage a Successful Catering Business
- Catering Management
- Successful Catering
- Start Your Own Catering Business

You can also learn a lot from the following associations of the catering industry:

National Association of Catering Executives http://www.nace.net/
National Restaurant Association http://www.restaurant.org

Answer 3

Most health departments require a commercial style kitchen, which your home kitchen will not meet their codes. The best place to check what licenses and other code requirements are needed would be your local health department and county clerks office. There is a tremendous amount of paperwork to be done beforehand, but don't get discouraged. Best of luck.

Answer 4

First you need to apply for a tax ID.

Then you need to go set up a separate bank account. Should be free.

Next, call the doctor's offices around your area and ask them what type of food they like to have catered. Drug reps often bring lunch and docs get sick of take-out, and are big fans of home-cooked food. You can make a killing.

Answer 5

I would begin with the local health dept. you will have to satisfy them before you will ever get your business license, i doubt your home kitchen will meet their requirements.

it is difficult if not impossible to start a business from scratch with a small amount of money.

Answer 6

I know a company to provide free set-up and terminals for a credit card processing account

Answer 7

What information do you need:
- recepten
- you will need a diploma