I want to sell gourmet cakes from home (BC). Anyone know where to find out re: legalities/permits/licensing...

Question

I'm in Vancouver, BC. I would like to work out of a home based kitchen...but understand that if I want to SELL anything food related, I need not only a 'commercial kitchen' but foodsafe...and then someone said something about the kitchen I use for business having to be separate from my 'home kitchen' - which would be incredibly annoying!
I don't know if it would be feasible to work out of my home... or if I might as well rent a commercial space to work out of... Any loopholes?? technically its not illegal to give away cakes... so maybe I can give them away, but charge the customers for "something else", like chocoholics 'counseling services' ahah.

Answer 1

There are many ways to go about doing what you are planning. If you are thinking about selling your product at fairs, shows and or events, you might want to go and talk to all the people that are selling their baked goods at these events.

There is a reasonalbe book out about craft business, published by the self council publisher, available at most decent book stores.

also the BC government has a very good small business web site , I believe it is at www.smallbusinessbc.ca.

We started a small business from our basement, not baked goods and found that it is important to keep it simple, to document everything so that you can repeat everything you do. and to not worry about govenrment to too much, and take action as quickly as you can to keep the momentum going.

Keep in mind that in all business, it is most important to figure out who you are going to sell to and to have a "stupid proof" system to prospect for current and new business for ever. Because the best product in the world, will not sell unless you consistantly target and approach the marketplace for your buyers.

Books for that are things like the E-Myth by Michael Gerber, and Guerrila Marketing series Jay Conrad Levinson.

Good Luck and send me a cake if any of my suggestions are of benefit to you.

Answer 2

I educate pores and skin care and prefer it. i determined on my business corporation because i respect and use the products so i imagine first you want to love what you promote then seem into the fee the business corporation can provide and get each and every of the information. I got here from a monetary heritage so the analyze I did previously making my determination stimulated me. What I loved perfect about my determination became how little i wanted to carry and that i have had countless different abode activities and the experts do fairly some prep that did;'t attraction to me. in view that both are consumable you won't be able to free.