Things You'll Need:
- A Strong Plan
- Available Financing
- Dedication and Hard Work
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Step 1
Weigh your options and put a great deal of thought into the type of bakery you would like to own. There are more options available than many people realize. You could have a traditional “Mom & Pop” style bakery, with breads, cakes, cookies and pastries. Or you could open a niche franchise, such as a Dunkin Donuts. You could even open a bakery that specializes purely in Bagels. The possibilities are nearly limitless. The first step is to come to a decision on what type of bakery you would like to own.
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Step 2
Write a business plan for the bakery you will start. A written business plan acts as the building blocks for the foundation of a successful business. Its great to have a good idea for a bakery, but its an entirely different resource to have that idea written down, with a firm step-by-step plan of how you are going to accomplish your goals. There are many web sites online that have free business plan templates. Download a template that is easy to use, and fill it in with details about the bakery you are starting. Stick to your business plan as your bakery grows, and you will have greater chances of maximizing your success.
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Step 3
Find financing for your business. The details of your business plan should give you a detailed overview of what kind of budget you will require to get your bakery up and running. The initial start up costs will likely be the biggest part of your budget, but there will also be recurring monthly costs, such as rent and salaries. Determine how much money you will require for your first 12 months of operation, and then find a way to obtain the funds. Many new business owners borrow money from family and friends. Others are capable of getting personal loans or small business loans from their bank. A select few are able to obtain private investment from a venture capitalist. Consider the options that are available to you and put a full effort into obtaining the funding that you need.
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Step 4
Find a suitable location for your business. Your baker will ideally be located in a convenient location in an area that already has a decent flow of traffic. The more people who are exposed to your business, even just seeing the outside, the more likely you are to have someone stop by to make a purchase. Of course, you want to also try to get a location that is a maximum distance from other baking businesses, because more competition means more chances of those customers driving by your business to stop at Cinnabon. The location you choose for your bakery will be a key element in the success of your business, so do not rush into this decision. Take your time and wait until the right location presents itself to you.
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Step 5
Acquire your baking equipment. If you have purchased an existing bakery, or moved into a building that was formerly a bakery, then you will probably already be partially equipped. Otherwise, you will need to make sure your location has adequate walk-in cooler space for storage, baking ovens, mixers, pots, pans, bowls and display cases. Create a check list in advance, ideally while you are working on your business plan in Step 2, and make sure that you have every item on the list.
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Step 6
Hire a staff. If you are going to start a small bakery and do much of the work yourself, then you will only need a minimum staff. If you have no experience in a commercial bakery, then you will probably want to hire professional bakers to do a lot of the baking in the back, leaving you do manage paperwork and greet customers in the storefront. Plan your staffing needs around the size of the bakery you will start, and hire based on experience.
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Step 7
Advertise your bakery’s grand opening. The amount and methods of advertising will depend on what budget you have for promotion. Local newspapers and local radio are two cost effective methods of announcing your grand opening. What ever you do, don’t fall into the trap of assuming that customers will find you on their own, because most will not. If you want to have customers walking in the door, you need to do something to let them know you are there.
Comments
nterdev said
on 5/3/2009 I've been in the bakery business. Here's a site that will really help you start a bakery business if you're serious. It's called StartABakeryBusiness.com. Check it out...http://www.startabakerybusiness.com/bakery/index.html