my mother in law gave me this secret recipe for cookies. they are like no other! I believe there is money to be made by making them and selling them. Is it illegal to sell her recipe of cookies! Also, if i place ads in a local newspaper advertising them, do i still have to do all the legal steps as far as starting home business, taxes, food liscenses? just tell me your honest opinion!
2007-09-09 19:39:57 · 6 answers · asked by nancy 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
It is not illegal to sell cookies made from your secret recipe. However, in most parts of the country, cookies sold to the public need to be made in a commercial kitchen that is inspected and certified by the health department. Your cookies may also need to be labeled in a specific way.
See if you can "borrow" a commercial kitchen if you don't have one at home. Maybe a church, or firehouse will let you use their kitchen if you make some extra cookies for them as payment.
When you are just starting out, bring samples of your cookies to local businesses, and see if you can take orders, and sell to employees. Take samples to convenience stores and see if you can put up a counter display that you stock every day, or every couple days. Fast food restaurants, breakfast restaurants, and diners are potential customers. An ad in the newspaper is a good idea, but one of your most powerful marketing tools is "word of mouth" advertising.
The packaging you use can enhance the overall appearance of your product. Neat, clean, professional packaging might be important in gaining new customers.
You are starting a home business, and you do have to pay taxes on your profit. You must keep accurate records of expenses, receipts, and sales. Check out the links to the IRS website and the assistance they can give for those operating a home business.
If a food license is required, you may have to pay a fine, or face other problems, if you sell your cookies without it.
There are many sites that can provide assistance to you. Here is a link to the Small Business Association:
http://www.sba.gov/
2007-09-09 21:48:49 · answer #1 · answered by AngeloElectro 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Selling Cookies From Home
2016-10-21 10:01:10 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to have a sink dedicated to the making of the cookies, not your standard kitchen sink. The health department requires this. They also inspect your work area.
You'll need a business license which is available from your state capital, call the revenue department and ask about mobile sellers permits. Since you won't have a storefront you can get away with using a mobile sellers permit for this.
You need to register your business name (not expensive) with them too, and ask how often sales tax payments need to be made. Chicago requires paperwork every month, WI and PA are on annual or every 6 month schedules. You'll need a food license, yes. A call to your city clerk's office can be a big help.
If you were making doggie cookies and biscuits to supply pet shops, you can bypass the health inspection part because the food isn't going into people's mouths.
If you can't get enough info off this site, try contacting bridal shops and ask if they can refer you to anyone who makes wedding cakes from home in your town. Then call that person and kibitz about the ins and outs, they willl know exactly what's needed for your business.
2007-09-10 04:49:27 · answer #3 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
i would like to sell cookies from home!?
my mother in law gave me this secret recipe for cookies. they are like no other! I believe there is money to be made by making them and selling them. Is it illegal to sell her recipe of cookies! Also, if i place ads in a local newspaper advertising them, do i still have to do all the legal...
2015-08-07 05:08:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends how big the business gets do a trial run and see if there is the market for it. If it gets to a certain size then you might have to register your business and pay taxes. I would suss everything out first before throwing to much money into it. I would be more than happy to give you feedback on a sample.
2007-09-09 19:52:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep, you need a license. I'm not sure about the regulators in NV, but here in Michigan, you would need a permit from either the Health Department or Dept. of Agriculture (depending on whether you are considered food service or a grocer).
2016-03-19 08:07:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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who the hell told u that a lot of people do its not illegal it is perfectaly legal
2016-04-04 02:09:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2007-09-10 01:45:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋